Having a glass of wine to unwind or a bottle of beer to kick back and relax at the end of a long day is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it could be something to look forward to so you can finally relax and de-stress.
Anything in moderation can be good for you, so they say. In the case of drinking alcohol, there is even scientific proof that it can provide certain health benefits. It only becomes a problem when you’re no longer able to control your cravings for it, and depend on it to function on a daily basis.
Most people who fall into alcoholism do not realize it immediately. If they do, they usually are in a massive state of denial, making it difficult for them to get the help they need. Acceptance is the first step to recovery, after all. You can’t solve a problem if you don’t even recognize that a problem exists in the first place.
Still, there’s no need to wait for rock bottom before one seeks help for alcohol abuse. There are plenty of reliable detox and treatment centers, such as Gallus Medical Detox Centers (https://www.gallusdetox.com/) that can provide the necessary assistance for those who need help getting over their substance addiction.
That said, here are some effects of alcoholism, which would justify getting professional help and treatment for it.
Short-Term Effects
Alcohol has almost immediate effects on the body, particularly impacting motor skills, cognitive behavior, and speech, among others. Because you are intoxicated, you have less control over your faculties, which may result in injuries.
Falls, burns, drowning, and automobile accidents are some of the most common displays of intoxication, sometimes to disastrous or even fatal results.
Another short-term effect is alcohol poisoning. This can occur when the individual has already built a high level of tolerance to the substance, which then makes them feel like they can have more. Drinking way beyond acceptable levels can cause the body to shut down. Having high blood alcohol levels is dangerous and would require immediate medical assistance.
Risky behavior and increased propensity for violence is another effect of intoxication. If a person is always intoxicated, therefore, the more they can become compelled to behave brashly, irrationally, and dangerously, not only upon themselves but also the people around them.
Long-Term Effects
Alcoholism has serious repercussions on one’s health in the long-term. Among the most common conditions that arise or get worse because of it include cardiovascular diseases, increased risk for stroke, digestive issues, and liver disease.
It also increases the risk for different types of cancer, from liver to colon, to breast to mouth, to through, esophagus, and more. Immunity is also weakened, thereby making the person more susceptible to catching various other diseases.
Memory and cognition are also inevitably affected by alcoholism. Learning is diminished, the risk for dementia increases, and proneness to anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems become more imminent.
Impacts on Personal and Social Life
It’s not only the health that is gravely impacted by alcoholism. Personal and social relationships are also affected. Because the person would now prefer to be alone so they can hide their condition, or simply because they lack the energy or interest to socialize and do the things they used to.
They tend to distance themselves more and put themselves in a bubble so that they can keep drinking as much as they want without having to deal with or face the repercussions of their actions.
Inevitably, it could also impact their professional life, missing important appointments, deadlines, and other important things. Ultimately, it’s highly possible that they will lose their jobs, and eventually, have financial problems.
All these effects are serious and so would need professional help for treatment. Get the help needed for yourself or a loved one to beat alcoholism.
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