How drinking alcohol affects you

A misleading fact that most people assume and one that is perpetuated by some publications is that alcohol is not harmful in moderation. But, not everyone who consumes alcohol is able to moderate their consumption. Moreover, alcohol is a drug and its use even in moderation effects the body in a myriad of ways. 

How much Alcohol is considered to be safe?

The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 2 or fewer drinks in males and 1 or fewer drinks in females is considered to be safe and poses no adverse health effect. However, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford, there is no safe dose of alcohol that does not have an impact health of an individual. Even smaller doses of alcohol can have an affect on the brain. Furthermore, it also indicates that individuals that binge drink and have high blood pressure or BMI may be heavily impacted by the alcohol they consume.

Short-term effects of Alcohol

Alcohol use can adversely affect both an individual’s physical and mental health. Some of the effects caused by consuming alcohol include but are not limited to the following:

1. Mood Swings
2. Impulsive Behaviour and Lowered Inhibitions leading to Criminal Behaviours, Risky Sexual Behaviours and Accidents.
3. Dehydration caused by Alcohol can lead to Headaches, Nausea, Vomiting and Hangovers.
4. Alcohol can be devastating to an unborn child and it is alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to Miscarriage and Stillbirth.
5. Consuming a large amount of alcohol can lead to blackouts and Alcohol Poisoning.

Long-term effects of Alcohol

Long-term consumption of alcohol leads to several health ailments and devastating effects on most of the organs in the body. Some of them include:

Mental Health

Studies indicate that prolonged alcohol use can rewire the brain’s transmission pathways and lead to non-reversible changes to the way the brains works. Alcohol use is associated with mental health conditions such as Depression, Anxiety, Mood Swings, Lack of Coordinations, Impulsive Behaviour, Lowered Inhibitions Headaches, Hangovers, etc.. Alcohol use can also worsen pre-existing mental health conditions such as Schizophrenia and Bi-polar disorders.

Cardiovascular Health

Alcohol consumption can have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular health of an individual. Especially prolonged, long-term alcohol consumption is linked to High Blood Pressure, Stroke, Irregular Heart Beat and Heart Attacks.

Immune System

Studies have shown that alcohol consumption can cripple your immune system and make it more susceptible to diseases. Those consuming alcohol regularly get sick more often compared to those that abstain from alcohol including from serious dilapidating diseases such as Tuberculosis and Pneumonia.

Liver

Alcohol consumed is broken down in the liver and thus it is one of the major organs affected by excess alcohol. Heavy drinking can lead to several diseases in the liver such as Fatty Liver, Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic Hepatitis and Fibrosis.

Pancreas

Excess Alcohol consumption can lead to Pancreatitis which medical term used to describe the inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis is a serious and long-term disease and it affects the normal digestive function.

Cancer

Alcohol use is linked to the development of various Cancers in the body including but not limited to Cancers of the Liver, Colon, Throat, Oesophagus, Breast and Rectum.

Bone Density

Excess Alcohol consumption can lead to Osteoporosis or bones becoming weak. Osteoporosis can increase chances of fractures even from small injuries. The risk of Osteoporosis can be more in women that consume alcohol because of their pre-disposition to the condition.

Dependence

Long-term and uncontrolled use of alcohol can lead to a an Addiction and users develop a dependence on Alcohol. Continued consumption of alcohol also helps build Tolerance where-in a user needs to consume a larger quantity to feel the same high as before. An interruption or abstaining from alcohol can also trigger Withdrawal symptoms such as Nausea, High Blood Pressure, Seizures and Hallucinations. 

How can I get help for Alcohol Addiction?

Long-term Alcohol consumption can be difficult to reverse by will-power and discipline. That’s where the Best Licensed Alcohol Rehabs such as Phoenix Rehabs come into the picture. Our In-patient or Out-patient Programs can provide you our your loved ones the tools along with the help and support required to live a life free from Alcohol and Addiction.