The Impact of Alcohol on The Brain – Neurobiology of Dependence and Alcohol Related Brain Damage

Posted on:September 25, 2017
Last Updated: July 13, 2020
Time to read: 10 minutes

Alcohol dependence, or alcoholism, is a chronic and severe condition that the WHO estimates to affect 140 million individuals globally. The WHO classifies alcoholism as the 5th leading risk factor for premature death and disability with between 10 to 20% of all males and 5 to 10% of all females being diagnosed with alcohol dependency. [1]

In Australia, the total societal costs due to alcohol-related issues in 2010 were estimated to be $14.352b. (Australian Government)

References

1. WHO Alcohol Fact Sheet

World Health Organisation. The alcohol fact sheet. Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health. 2015.

12. Role of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase

Edenberg H. The genetics of alcohol metabolism: role of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase variants. Alcohol Research and Health. 2007

18. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Behavioral health trends

Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Behavioral health trends in the United States: Results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. SMA 15-4927, NSDUH Series H-50). 2015.

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