A CRITICAL REVIEW ON ALCOHOLISM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MADATYAYA

Abstract

The word Alcohol comes from an Arabic word ‘Algwl’ or ‘al kuhl’ meaning Body Eating Spirit (Liquors being called Spirits in English) or demons akin to. The Arabic word “Alpohl” means to redden the eyes. Alcohol is the most commonly used and widely abused psycho active drug in the world. Brewing of alcohol dates back to the beginning of civilization. The discovery of late Stone Age, bearing jugs depicting wine glasses have established the fact that fermented beverages existed as early as the neo-lithic period (10000 B.C.). Alcoholism is the disease which is chronic, progressive and fatal if not treated. More than 100000 deaths are caused all over world by excessive alcohol consumption every year. Direct and indirect causes of death include drunken driving, cirrhosis of liver, traumatic injuries, cancer and stroke.