Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Addiction Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Medical Toxicology Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

In fact alcohol is a toxic substance that has a direct effect on brain. Some of the most common mental disorders due to alcohol abuse are:
Memory disorder: Hazardous amounts of alcohol may cause intoxication, impairment of memory so that the person who took a drunken accident may not remember the event. Periods of memory impairment in those with a history of alcohol addiction would also happen in binge drinkers. Memory impairment may happen all days or most part of the day.
Depression: Depression may be caused by long term alcohol abuse. On the other hand, in some cases, depressed people have tendency towards abusing alcohol, but it may improve their symptoms. The depression that can lead to more alcohol abuse and alcohol abuse can lead to depression, so the exact sequence of two modes should be revealed.
Suicide: Based on current evaluation, 6 to 20 percent of alcoholics committed suicide due to   harmful feature of alcohol. Evidence of suicidal behavior or intention to harm themselves is more prevalent than normal people in their age.
Personality disorder: Personality disorder is one of the problems that often occur in large proportion of alcoholic people. It can interfere with their self-centered manner. Excessive alcohol abuse is rare but serious complication of pathological jealousy. Suspicion to partners is also very common among these people.
Sexual Dysfunction: People who consume alcohol for a long period, often complain of sexual and erectile dysfunction and their ejaculation are usually delayed. Effects of alcohol on the nervous system or vascular disorders associated with excessive abuse of alcohol and sexual dysfunction in men may have been involved.
Hallucination: Transient vision or hearing hallucinations are seen in some abusers. Even in the rare disorder called alcoholic hallucinations, severe threatening voices is usually heard. Some patients hear loud voices and others are also experienced violence in these sounds. These people are delusional about the possibility of the harm and injury.

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