Effects of alcohol on the central nervous system: implications for the neuroscience nurse

Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease that devastates the patient and family. The chronic abuse of alcohol results in a multitude of pathological changes, particularly in the central nervous system. The toxic effects of acetaldehyde, a metabolic by-product of alcohol, and alcoholic beverage congeners have been associated with pathological changes in the central nervous system. Toxic effects of alcohol and addiction to alcohol reflect central nervous system changes. The alcohol withdrawal syndrome poses a potential life-threatening complication for the alcoholic patient. This paper discusses the pathological changes in the central nervous system, pharmacology of alcohol, and the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Nursing implications to assist the neuroscience nurse in providing a highly specialized plan of care for the alcoholic patient are presented.