CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM:

DEFINITION: chronic alcoholism, an addiction to alcohol. The
 tendency to alcoholism may be inherited. Chronic use of alcohol
 weakens muscles, causes fatty deposits in the liver, damages
 the stomach, makes you more prone to infections, and can cause
 birth defects. Long term, brain atrophy and cirrhosis of the
 liver result. You are also at greater risk for certain types
 of cancer, such as cancer of the mouth, throat, stomach, and
 liver. Counselling services are available to help you. In-hospital
 treatment programs often help. Support groups such as Alcoholics
 Anonymous can be very useful in beating this addiction. Your
 physician can make a referral for you. As alcoholics often are
 prone to other addictions, you should discuss your use of any
 other medications with the doctor.

IF Problems:  Problems occur with violent natures and
with operating machinery while intoxicated.  Life long
problems are usually associated with the families and
loved ones, they are the ones that really have to pay
for the behavior of the chronic alcoholic.  Families are
ofen split up by alcoholism.