home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1997
/
The_Epic_Interactive_Encyclopedia_97.iso
/
a
/
alcoholism
/
infotext
< prev
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-09-03
|
895b
|
24 lines
Alcoholism is the dependence on alcohol. It
is characterized as an illness when
consumption of alcohol interferes with
normal physical or emotional health.
Excessive alcohol consumption, whether
through sustained ingestion or irregular
drinking bouts or binges, may produce
physical and psychological addiction and
lead to nutritional and emotional disorders.
Long-term heavy consumption of alcohol leads
to diseases of the heart, liver, and
peripheral nerves. In Britain, the cost of
treating alcohol-related diseases in is
estimated as at least £110 million a year.
Alcohol consumption is measured in standard
units. One unit is approximately equal to a
single glass of wine or measure of spirits,
or half a pint of normal-strength beer.
The recommended maximum weekly intake was 21
units for men and 14 units for women, but
this has recently been increased.
Subject by: Vince Pike