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INTRODUCTION Alcohol is a drug that affects every body system. Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions of thinking, most notably denial. Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic. Health problems associated with alcoholism include poor nutrition, memory disorders, muscle weakness, heart rhythm disturbances, anemia, decreased immunity to infections, gastrointestinal inflammation and irritation, liver disease, low blood sugar, high blood fat content, and weakened bones (ASAM, 2003). Along with individual physical problems, alcoholism also affects relationships with other individuals. Depression, unemployment, child abuse, homelessness, murder, suicide, injury, and violent crimes are more likely to occur with alcoholism (ASAM, 2003). There is no known cause for alcoholism, but a number of factors work together to cause a person to become an alcoholic. Factors include genetics, environment, social economic status, sex, and