People who are heavy drinkers also tend to smoke and eat an unhealthy diet. This combination puts the person at higher risk for coronary artery disease , stroke , heart attack , diabetes , and other chronic diseases. If a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy , her fetus is at great risk for developing fetal alcohol syndrome . Drinking reduces judgment, impulse control, and motor control. A person with alcohol dependency places himself or herself and others at risk for accident or emotional injury.
Treatment begins with helping the person to recognize the problem.
Alcohol dependency is associated with a tendency to deny the severity of the problem. There is an refusal to admit it to others. Once the person has recognized and admitted a problem, treatment begins with sobriety, or no alcohol intake. Some individuals who are alcohol dependent will need to be medically detoxified. This is done in a healthcare setting.