Alcoholism

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a psychological and physiological dependence on strong drink. Alcoholism goes beyond a simple hangover from one night of heavy drinking, rather an individual suffering from alcoholism needs to drink to feel normal and function in their daily life.

Chronic alcohol consumption inhibits the liver's function of filtering out out toxins. Repeated and chronic intake of alcohol over an extended period of time builds up toxicity levels in the body leading to poor nutrition and osteological problems.

Image Source: "Trademark Registration by H. White & Co. for Red Heart Rum brand Rum." April 9, 1889. From the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog.

Osteoblasts versus Osteoclasts

Alcohol abuse disrupts the process of cellular turnover, which keeps the human skeleton healthy and strong. Osteoclasts are responsible for eroding and scraping away old bone material. Osteoblasts lay down fresh bone material. which work to maintain bone structures and remodel them. This twofold process of osteoclasts and osteoblasts is known as remodeling. Persistent overindulgence in alcohol makes this process, of resorption and regeneration less efficient, leading to a reduction in bone density and less effective remodeling of the bone.

Image Source: Augustus Kollner. "Print speciman of anatomical illustrations of human pelvis and hip bones." Lithograph, 1813-1906. From the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog.

Morphology of Osteological Changes

This, in turn, causes the cellular turnover rate to be less effective as the osteoblasts begin to lay down thinner layers of bone, while the osteoclasts are not absorbing eroded material as well. The internal trabeculae of the bone, or the spongy material that gives the bone its structure, also becomes more porous over the term of alcohol abuse, which may eventually lead to additional chronic conditions such as osteoporosis and a worsening of inflammatory, pre-existing conditions such as periodontitis.