Medikal Mayıs 2018

News
being unable to absorb vitamins
are all conditions that can be seen.
Due to the toxic effect that alcohol
causes in the brain the memory
sustains major damage. Forgetfulness,
neuropathy, aggressiveness,
Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome in
advanced stages, psychotic symptoms
(seeing bugs, deliria and
other hallucinations) and early
dementia connected to neurotoxicity
can be seen.
DoktorTakvimi.com doctor
Specialist Dr. Buket Tuncer
Eryonucu listed the other effects
of alcohol addiction as follows;
• Bone marrow is another area
affected by alcoholism. The thrombocytes
related to suppression of
bone marrow, which are the cells
that coagulate to prevent blood
loss, reduce significantly. Hemorrhaging
problems start as a result.
Damage to bone marrow plays a
significant role in ulcer hemorrhages
that can’t be stopped and
variceal hemorrhages.
• It increases blood pressure
(Hypertension), deteriorates the
blood fat mechanism and causes
bad cholesterol and fat to increase
in blood. As result there is increased
heart attack and cerebrovascular
(like stroke) disease risk.
When alcohol is consumed during
pregnancy the fetus can develop an
undersized head diameter, facial
and brain deformations and lip and
heart defects due to FAS (Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome).
• Especially men can develop sexual
dysfunction due to decreased
testosterone, enlarged breasts and
lack of sexual appetite. Similar effects
are seen in women due to the
decrease of estradiol and FSH.
• Depression and mood disorders,
anxiety, sleep and psychotic
disorders, dementia and cognitive
problems are common.
Alcoholism is treatable!
Despite having such serious
physical, mental and social effects
alcoholism can be treated.
Medical-Pharmacological Treatment,
Psychological-Psychotherapeutic
Treatment and Social Support
Treatment are all effective and
affordable methods for medical
treatment of alcoholism. Studies
show that treatment is much more
effective that legal measures.
Various studies show that when
doctors, who advise their alcoholic
patients to reduce or cease alcohol
consumption, ask their patients
questions about their alcohol use
in later appointments their alcohol
consumption goes down by 30-40
percent.
Psychological Support is Very
Important
Alcoholism is not a kind of addiction
that can change the patient
completely back to their former
state with medicine. However
alcoholism can be controlled just
like diabetes, hypertension and
heart diseases. Alcoholics require
support and assistance to recover.
The person receiving support from
their social circle and family in
particular is very effective in their
treatment. Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA), which was established in Turkey
in 1985 and in the US in 1935
forms an important social group
that is an important part of the
social treatment. There is scientific
evidence to show that social support
groups have a positive impact
on treatment.
People who are addicted to alcohol
and want to be treated can go to
Alcohol and Substance Addiction
Treatment Centers (ASATC) in
addition to joining social support
groups like AA to start their recovery
process. It is vital that people
with alcohol addiction are not isolated
but instead are encouraged
to seek treatment by providing
psychological support.
60
Mayıs 2018