Long Term Effects Heavy drinkers will develop a tolerance for alcohol, which means that it takes more alcohol to get the desired effect. Physical dependence for alcohol is evident if withdrawal symptoms occur after abrupt discontinuance. Symptoms include delirium tremors, cramps, vomiting, elevated blood pressure, sweating, dilated pupils, sleep problems, irritability, and convulsions. Short-term memory loss and blackouts are common among heavy drinkers. Psychological dependence occurs when the drinker becomes so preoccupied with alcohol that it is hard to do without it.
Prolonged use can cause liver disorders, heart disease, cancer, and reproduction problems.
There are three main treatment methods that have been shown to be effective. However, no treatment is effective until the drinker admits there is a problem, and then asks for help. This issue of Healthy Graffiti brought to you by a student in the Fitness and Wellness Class.