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The Long Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Absolute Advocacy The-Long-Term-Effects-of-Alcohol-AbuseIt’s no secret that alcohol consumption can cause major health problems related to the liver. After all, the liver is the body’s filter. It is exposed to every drop of alcohol you consume. But the long-term effects of consuming too much alcohol—of alcohol abuse—are not limited to this one organ. According to WedMD, researchers have linked alcohol consumption to some 60+ diseases, and they still aren’t fully aware of all the ways alcohol affects the body.

The Short Term Effects of Alcohol

The amount of alcohol a person consumes directly affects how their body reacts. The short-term effects can range from a sensation of relaxation to a total blackout. According to DrugFreeWorld.com, the most commonly experienced short-term effects of alcohol include:

The more often a person drinks, and the larger the volume, the more advanced these short-term effects grow. Continued alcohol use and binge drinking will impact the entire body, specifically vital areas such as the brain and heart.

Alcohol’s Effects on the Brain

The short-term effects of alcohol make it clear liquors and beers affect the brain. Mental impairment can be detectable after just one or two drinks and quickly dissipate once drinking stops. But for the person who drinks heavily over a long period, the brain can develop chronic defects and deficits that remain apparent even after sobriety:

Prolonged Alcohol Abuse and the Heart

Did you know heavy, prolonged drinking could be the cause of a heart attack or stroke? Heavy drinking, particularly bingeing, can cause blood platelets to clump together forming blood clots. The clots can then lead to a heart attack or stroke. A landmark study was conducted by Harvard researchers in 2005, and they found binge drinking doubled the risk of death among individuals who had initially survived a heart attack.

If the increased risk of a sudden, life ending or changing event like a heart attack or stroke isn’t enough to make one reconsider continued heavy drinking, consider the following conditions that can also develop:

Avoiding Alcohol Abuse

Psychology Today reported that according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 75 percent of the people who recover from an alcohol dependency do so without seeking help. Only about 13 percent receive specialty (rehab) alcohol treatment via programs.

What does this mean to you? It means two things:

  1. You can avoid alcohol abuse.
  2. You can kick alcohol abuse and a dependency.

But how? That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?

In the battle against abusing alcohol, one of the most important things you can do is educate yourself. Learn about abuse and addiction. Know the signs. And do a little self-evaluation now and then. Struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction does not make anyone weak; refraining from getting help when it is needed is the second most dangerous part of addiction—second only to the danger the body is in.

Kicking the Addiction

Kicking an alcohol addiction won’t happen overnight. Acquiesce, an addiction clinic near by explains addiction as a steadily built dependency that can take hold before someone realizes it. It takes time to build, and it takes time to kick. If you or someone you know is in this fight, keep these actionable tips in mind:

By avoiding and stopping alcohol abuse, you will save your mind and body from harmful long-term effects. Want to learn more about the health benefits? Check out 3 Ways Cutting Back on Alcohol Improves Your Health.

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