Alcoholism creates many severe physical problems. More than three drinks a day over a few weeks causes destructive changes in the liver. About 15 percent of heavy drinkers develop cirrhosis, which can be fatal. Changes in the brain and nervous system result in hostile behavior, loss of mental sharpness, and poor judgment. One third of the babies born to mothers who drink heavily, especially during the first trimester, have birth defects or retardation. This condition is called "fetal alcohol syndrome". Some drugs, such as tranquilizers, when taken with alcohol can result in death. It has long been thought that alcoholism resulted from a combination of psychological and social factors. Current scientific research suggests that a tendency to abuse alcohol runs in families and that an inherited chemical defect also plays a role. In April 1990 researchers discovered a rare gene, possibly one of several, that may increase susceptibility to alcoholism, suggesting that alcoholism sometimes may be inherited. In particular, the dopamine-receptor gene is believed to be associated with severe alcoholism, providing a possible link to such disorders as tourette’’s syndrome (抽动秽语综合症), schizophrenia (精神分裂症), and autism (孤独症). A family or individual with an alcoholism problem is in serious trouble. The alcoholic’’s main goal is to get something alcoholic to drink. The drinking usually continues until the victim is drunk. Family, work, and friends are of little concern compared to the need for alcohol. Drunkenness inhibits the alcoholic’’s control of normal behavior and depresses the ability to perform even the st functions. Many resources can help, but two absolute rules apply to recovery. An alcoholic must accept the fact that there is a real problem and decide to stop drinking. An alcoholic must also realize that any form or quantity of alcohol is literally poisonous. Most treatment experts believe that, when in recovery, an alcoholic can never take another drink, for alcoholism is a lifelong condition. It is difficult to break the alcoholic cycle, but it is possible to do so with the help and support of others. Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and psychiatric, psychological and social services are among the resources that help the alcoholic to become abstained. Sometimes a brief stay in a detoxification (戒除毒瘾) unit in a hospital may be necessary in order for the body to restore itself. We can safely conclude that the author________.