Final answer:
Alcoholism is a chronic disease with genetic, psychological, and environmental causes, leading to serious health conditions like chronic liver failure and kidney dysfunction. Shifts in societal views have led to a more compassionate understanding of this disease, with awareness of its broad impacts on health and society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Alcoholism
Alcoholism is recognized as a chronic disease influenced by various factors including genetic predisposition, psychological conditions, and environmental circumstances. Historically, individuals who could not stop drinking were not always viewed in a sympathetic way because it was believed to be a fault of their own. Over time, perception shifted, recognizing alcoholism as a disease rather than a personal failing, leading to a more compassionate understanding of those affected.
Chronic liver failure is one of the severe health consequences of prolonged alcohol abuse. It primarily occurs due to cirrhosis, which may result from excessive alcohol consumption, among other causes like hepatitis B or C, autoimmune diseases, or metabolic disorders. The liver's inability to function normally due to alcohol damage can result in additional stress on the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney dysfunction.
Moreover, alcohol impacts the body's excretory system, particularly the kidneys, by affecting their ability to manage water and ion balance, leading to potentially dangerous blood ion concentration and acid-base balance abnormalities. Excessive alcohol consumption has serious social and health implications, including an increased risk of cancers and physiological disorders like cirrhosis and impaired kidney function.