NCJ Number
163049
Date Published
1993
Length
401 pages
Annotation
This report on progress in the understanding of how alcohol affects the organs and systems of the human body contains major sections on the nature and extent of alcohol use and alcohol- related problems; causes of alcohol abuse and alcoholism; consequences of alcoholism, alcohol use, and abuse; prevention and early intervention; and the treatment of alcoholism and related problems.
Abstract
The section on the nature and extent of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems contains two chapters that discuss the epidemiology of alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences as well as psychiatric comorbidity with alcohol use disorders. Four chapters on the causes of alcohol abuse and alcoholism address genetic and other risk factors for alcoholism; the actions of alcohol on the brain; neurobehavioral aspects of alcohol consumption; and psychological, social, and developmental factors. Five chapters focus on the consequences of alcoholism, alcohol use, and alcohol abuse. They discuss biochemical effects of alcohol metabolism, the effects of alcohol on health and body systems, the effects of alcohol on fetal and postnatal development, the effects of alcohol on behavior and safety, and economic issues in alcohol use and abuse. The section on prevention and early intervention contains two chapters that discuss the prevention of alcohol-related problems as well as screening and brief intervention. One chapter considers the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism. Extensive figures and tables and a subject index