Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, so it slows down mental and bodily processes. Alcohol use can affect all parts of the body, but particularly affects the brain, heart, liver, pancreas and immune system. This can result in mental illness, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, an irregular heartbeat, liver failure, and an increase in the risk of cancer, among other diseases. Alcohol addiction refers to a psychological and physical dependency on alcohol. Alcoholism is said to exist when two or more of the following conditions is present:
- A person drinks large amounts over a long period of time
- Has difficulty cutting down
- Acquiring and drinking alcohol takes up a great deal of time
- Alcohol is strongly desired
- Usage results in not fulfilling responsibilities, social problems, health problems and risky situations
- Withdrawal occurs when stopping
- Alcohol tolerance has occurred with use