When the body becomes deficient of certain chemicals this can induce the mind to crave for alcohol. Studies and researches have shown that serotonin has a direct relationship with alcohol abuse. Serotonin is a chemical which is required by the brain for proper functioning.
When a deficiency in this chemical occurs, people tend to abuse alcohol and some other form of drugs. Another group of chemicals associated with the brain are monoamine oxidases and there is certain evidence which shows a relationship between deficiency of this and alcohol addiction.
While the connection between abuse and mental illnesses is not quite clear cut, there is enough evidence to show that people with mental disorders and problems tend to abuse substances such as alcohol and drugs. And there is some evidence which also shows that alcohol and certain drugs can lead to mental illnesses in the long run as well.
Treatment
Subsequent treatment for both addiction and mental illnesses is quite tough. The main problem which physicians face is identification and segregation. Sometimes a bipolar disorder can hide an alcohol addiction and doctors might overlook it. Cases of overlapping symptoms are quite common and the process of treatment is quite long and arduous for both the patient and the medical professional.
How Alcohol Can Lead to Nutritional Deficiency?
According to a research it has been concluded that 2 out of 5 have some sort of addiction. Alcohol is one of them and this can be a real stigma to live with. But before proceeding further one has to understand that an addict is someone who habitually and persistently becomes physically dependant on particular substance.
There can be some uncommon addiction too like gambling, people with thrill seeking, sex, caffeine, tobacco, drugs and food. Sometimes this can be artificial stimulant that gives and artificial soothing effect. Their life is almost vacant with this kind of stimulus. The chemicals that are released by these substances lower the ability of your body and help to release neurotransmitter. It is almost like a vicious circle.
Drinking too much can lead to Vitamin D deficiency and this can lead to serious health problems affecting bones. One can include a healthy diet with food that is rich in Vitamin D and help to prevent this deficiency further. In certain one can also take Vitamin D supplements. No doubt alcoholism is chronic disease and it also lead to malnutrition as it suppresses appetite. Further it can also prevent your body from absorbing essential nutrients.
Alcoholics often eat less and this helps them to limit their nutrient intake affecting both structure maintenance and energy supply. It also affects your nutritional process like storage, utilization, digestion and nutrient excretion. Therefore alcohol and nutrition are related to each other some way or other. Overconsumption of alcohol and other high calorie food can result to ‘freshman fifteen’. Even if you are social drinker do in moderation because alcohol in any form had adverse affect for your body.