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End Stage Alcoholism
Chronic heavy use of alcohol results
in severe physical withdrawal symptoms and often in
serious medical complications. In the advanced stage,
damage to the liver, heart, brain and other body tissues
may be irreversible. Severe physical damage often leads
to life-threatening illnesses that result in premature
death.
Brain damage from years of excessive
drinking or drug use may be permanent. As brain cells
die from chronic alcohol intake, they are generally
not regenerated, and the tissue of the brain itself
begins to deteriorate. Even if sobriety is achieved
in this advanced state of alcoholism, the quality of
life may be significantly impacted and the physical
damage may be so great that it becomes difficult to
treat.
It is however, never too late to start
recovery from alcohol addiction. Persons suffering from
irreversible damage caused by chronic drinking can still
begin and successfully continue recovery. Obviously,
the earlier, the better.
Physiological Effects of End-Stage Alcoholism
End-stage alcoholism is a horrible
way to die. Alcohol is a cumulative poison that damages
the skin, brain, liver, heart, and other parts of the
body. As the damage to these organs progresses
with continued use, the body systems needed for life
begin to fail.
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The heart weakens and becomes enlarged.
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The liver becomes scarred, shrunken,
and hardened (cirrhosis). It stops functioning, causing
blood dysfunctions and esophageal varices, and hemorrhoids
that can rupture suddenly, causing the person to bleed
to death.
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The brain's internal spaces are enlarged,
and the fissures in the cortex are widened. This general
loss of brain tissue is associated with alcoholic dementia
(wet brain), a decline in the capacity for thinking
or learning. Other symptoms of organic brain disorders
are mental confusion, impaired coordination while walking,
impaired vision, and memory loss.
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The skin's vascular systems are damaged.
The skin's ability to retain heat is compromised. Abnormally
enlarged capillary groups, with blue and red spider-like
capillaries, appear primarily on the upper body. Unexplained
bruising, redness of the skin especially on the face,
fluid retention under the eyes, and a "whiskey nose"
can develop.
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Direct tissue irritation and/or induction
of enzymes that activate other carcinogens can cause
cancers of the mouth, tongue,
pharynx,
larynx,
esophagus,
stomach, liver, lung, pancreas, colon and rectum.
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