Issue #114 - August 30, 2000
*** Biological Factors Can Perpetuate Alcoholic Addiction ***
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One part of me feels guilty at giving you more on alcoholism, but another part finds it so fascinating that is says you will too. Others tell me the same so here is some more. I do believe that this education on what is going on with alcoholics can help both those who have to live with them as well as the alcoholics themselves to deal with their problem.
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Issue #114 - August 30, 2000
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*Table of Contents*
1. *** Biological Factors Can Perpetuate Alcoholic Addiction ***
2. Sponsor's Advertisement
3. Ad Swaps
4. Subscription Information
5. Past Issues
6. Sponsor's and Contact information+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*** Biological Factors Can Perpetuate Alcoholic Addiction ***
(Taken from Dr. Lendon Smith's notes and reading. Edited by Dorothy and Edward McDonald.)It is common for those people who have one or more of the risk factors to begin to drink rather heavily at some point in their lives. Alcohol use is extremely common in our society. Americans age 14 years and older average two alcoholic drinks a day. (That's more than five gallons of 100 proof liquor each year.)
** Is Drinking A Problem For Everyone? **
For most people, the pervasiveness of alcohol in society poses no great threat, because moderate use is quickly learned. However, for the 10 percent of the population who are biologically prone to alcoholism, moderate use is much more difficult to learn, and early bouts of heavy drinking are common.
** For Some People Drinking Becomes A Vicious Cycle **
The risk factors and the perpetuating factors are usually present in the same people. The perpetuating factors consist of metabolic adaptations made by these people who become alcoholics. These include the creation of new cells to metabolize the alcohol, changes in the way liver cells use energy from alcohol, and changes in the body's cell membranes. It is well know that alcoholics have an increased tolerance for alcohol. The combination of biological factors that lead to alcoholism and the biological factors that perpetuate it present a formidable challenge to the alcoholic-prone people and those trying to help them. Dr. Charles Lieber found that alcoholics produce new cells to help break down alcohol. They are very efficient at metabolizing alcohol, but they just seem to be making more acetaldehyde, the poisonous product. Because they have more acetaldehyde, they are even more prone to crave alcohol, which will temporarily end the horrible symptoms that excessive acetaldehyde produces.
** What Happens As An Alcoholic Becomes Increasingly Resistant to Alcohol? **
Repeated exposure to alcohol changes the chemical composition of the cell membranes, increasing their resistance to alcohol. After much drinking, however, the cell membranes begin to break down, and are no longer effective at letting desirable substances in and forcing poisonous substances out. These end stage cellular damage leads to convulsions, hallucinations, and heart failure. The alcoholic can no longer feel good without being intoxicated.
** Why Do Some Alcoholics Have a Great Tolerance To Alcohol In the Beginning? **
Because their systems have a unique capacity to adapt to alcohol, many alcoholics enjoy a great tolerance to alcohol when they first start drinking. They are able to drink much more than non-alcoholics and remain sober and function well. It is common for most people to function better after drinking a small amount of alcohol, such as half a drink, as it is a strong stimulant in small doses as it elevates the production of the hormone norepinephrine. The early-stage alcoholic may need several drinks to get that stimulation. That person can boast of his ability to "hold his liquor" or drink you under the table. As he continues to drink, his tolerance increases, and he will be able to drink more and more without feeling out of control, dizzy, or otherwise intoxicated. This climb in tolerance may continue for several months or even years. But because they are unable to efficiently break alcohol down into its most basic components, they will still suffer from painful withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit. Alcoholics feel well when they are drinking, and will feel sick only when they stop. Drinking is an effective temporary cure.
* What Causes The Alcoholics Tolerance To Alcohol To Decrease? **
Increased tolerance is the result of changes in the liver and cells, and not a result of learned behavior. But as the drinking continues, the withdrawal symptoms increase and the tolerance decreases. The cell walls become weak and the alcohol moves in. Now the alcoholic will have a low tolerance for alcohol, and will become easily intoxicated. By the time this happens, or even before this happens, the drinker will have a fully developed addiction to alcohol.
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(Permission to reprint given if the following resource box is included.)
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Dr. Lendon Smith of television fame provides the content for Alternative Health Tips ezine. To get your FREE subscription to AAA Alternative Health Tips put SUBSCRIBE in the BODY of an email to: mailto:alternative-health@oaknetpub.com ======================================================
*** COULD YOUR BRAIN USE SOME FOOD? ***
* Do you find your mind jumping around and preventing you from concentrating? * Do you get in bed at night only to find your mind has started to do its best thinking? * Do you find yourself going for food to take away your thoughts of discouragement or inferiority? * Do you find you get angry and then get mad at yourself for having done so? * Are you depressed, discouraged, or anxious? * Does some member of your family have trouble sitting still? * Do you need a drink to make you feel better? * Does stress get to you?
Do you know about beCALM'd - the all natural amino acid, vitamin and mineral complex that feeds your brain? Many people have found it was the answer to one of the above problems.
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Ready to try it? Ordering is easy. Either do it at our web site or use the toll-free 800 number given at the web site.
Wanting nothing but the best for you.
Dodie McDonald
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Here's are ad swaps from some of our ezine friends.
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Past Issues available at: http://www.iwr.com/ezine/issues.htm
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Your Sponsors and Contact Information:
* Sponsor: Tom Mathews of Sunrise International: owner of the web site: http://www.iwr.com Email: mailto:adrian@iwr.com * Adrian Mathews: Webmaster of the the web site at http://www.iwr.com Email: mailto:tom@iwr.com * Dorothy and Edward J. McDonald: Editors, Listmasters, and Mailers of this ezine. Email: mailto:ahealth@ix.netcom.com * Dr. Lendon Smith, M.D. and Bill Goedecke of the International Health Foundation provide the content for these ezines. Their web site addresses are: http://www.healthwizz.com and http://www.lifebalancesintl.com
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