Background and Objectives: Excessive alcoholism causes premature death through overdose and through chronic damage to multiple systems like hepatobiliary system, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, haematopoietic system and other systems. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential vitamin, required for DNA synthesis (and ultimately cell division) and for maintaining nerve myelin integrity. It is found almost exclusively in animal-based products including red meats, poultry, seafood, milk, cheese and eggs. As vitamin B12 is produced by bacteria in the large intestines of animals, plant-based foods are generally not a source of vitamin B12. It is therefore a nutrient of concern for vegetarians and particularly for vegans who choose an entirely plant-based diet. Materials And Methods: This study was conducted as a prospective cross-sectional study, from August 2017 to march 2018, at Santhiram medical college, Nandyal, where in written informed consent was taken prior to the investigation after detailed information given to the participants regarding the study. Patients with history of alcohol consumption and history of consuming vegetarian diet were screened for anemia through a detailed history, examination and lab investigations. Suspected cases were admitted, investigated and treated if diagnosed. Observations: The maximum incidence of alcoholics were in the age group 31-50 years.(143/185) 77%. Alcoholism was less common below 20years and above 65years. In present study among 185 alcoholics 146 (79%) were males and 39 (21%) were females. Among 315 non-alcoholics 204(65%) were males and 111(35%) females. The mean haemoglobin was 10.46 gms% among alcoholics and 12.31gm% among non-alcoholics. In alcoholics, Various types of anaemia like 15% showed microcytic hypochromic, 26%macrocytic hypochromicanaemia, 17% dimorphic anaemia, 5% thrombocytopenia and 4% pancytopenia. In the controle group 0f 315 there were 76 vegetarians and 239 were Non Vegetarians and in study the mean haemoglobin was 8.89 gms % among vegetarians and 13.40gm%in non vegetarians. The lowest value being 4.9gm% and the highest being 17.7gm%.Conclusion: Alcoholism was more common among middle aged men and a feature of low socioeconomic group. Anemia was the predominant feature among chronic alcoholics severity of anemia was related to severity of alcoholic intake. In Peripheral smear study all types of anemia were seen in alcoholics. Haematological manifestations are reversible with cessation of alcohol. Vegetarians, are more likely to develop vitamin B12 defeciency and iron deficiency, and it is likely that anyone avoiding animal-based foods will eventually become deficient if their diet is not supplemented. All vegans, and lacto-ovovegetarians who don’t consume adequate amounts of meat and dairy products or eggs to provide sufficient vitamin B12 and iron should therefore supplement their diet with vitamin B12 and iron from fortified foods or supplements
