Alcohol abuse and dependence: Psychopathology, medical management and dental implications

摘要: ABSTRACT Background The authors review the clinical features, epidemiology, pathophysiology, medical management, dental findings and treatment of patients with alcoholism. Literature Reviewed conducted a MEDLINE search for 1995 through 2001 using key terms alcoholism, dentistry. Reports selected further included those published in English peer-reviewed journals. gave preference to articles reporting randomized, controlled trials. Conclusions Alcoholism is chronic progressive psychiatric illness that afflicts more than 14 million Americans. It characterized by loss control over use alcohol, resulting impaired social functioning, consequent development illnesses. disease arises genetically vulnerable people when they are overwhelmed their cravings alcohol-associated euphoria results from actions several neurotransmitter systems brain's pleasure center. New medications counteract alcohol-induced neurotransmission imbalance may assist reducing craving. Clinical Implications prevalence usually extensive because disinterest performing appropriate oral hygiene techniques diminished salivary flow. Concurrent abuse tobacco products worsens heightens risk developing cancer. Identification alcohol-abusing patient, cancer-screening examination, preventive education, saliva substitutes anticaries agents indicated. Special precautions must be taken surgery prescribing or administering analgesics, antibiotics sedative likely have an adverse interaction alcohol medications.