Effects and Dangers of Alcohol Addiction
Are you suffering from alcohol addiction? Like other kinds of addictions, there are still many ways to address it. You always have a chance to break free from dependence on alcohol. In this article, we will discuss the top treatments that you can try to deal with alcohol addiction. But first, let us try to understand more about alcohol dependence and how it affects you.
Is Alcohol Addictive?
Yes. Alcohol is addictive. Alcohol addiction changes the brain and body of the individual. Drinking alcoholic beverages may seem harmless at first. It may be something that you only do occasionally, especially with friends. It is normal to go out on Friday nights or go to parties and have fun.
However, drinking alcohol may become a problem when you start to become a compulsive drinker. When this happens, it can lead to dependence on alcohol and addiction to it. If you suffer from alcohol addiction, it means that you are no longer able to handle your drinking.
Apart from that, you feel that you can’t function without having a drink. It is a tough situation to be in because you can’t function properly when you’re drunk. Alcohol addiction changes the way that your mind works. It will also have many adverse effects on your body and your life as a whole.
Effects of Alcohol Addiction on Your Memory
Alcohol addiction affects the brain in many aspects. It keeps you craving for a drink regardless of the many negative impacts that alcohol has on your life. Alcohol addiction also messes up your ability to remember things.
There are three stages of human memory, and each has a specific mode of operation. The sensory memory is the short-term memory element. The short-term memory maintains a limited amount of information for a brief period.
It usually lasts up to a minute. On the other hand, long-term memory is for the storage of details that can last for an extended period.
Reckless behaviour is also possible whenever you’re drunk. You may not be able to remember it because of the alcohol effects on your short term memory.
You may experience slurred speech, trouble with keeping your balance, and difficulty in walking. You will also have slower reflexes, poor judgment, and unpredictable behaviour. The risk of getting into accidents is high, and you may hurt yourself or other people. Such short-term effects wear off over time. However, drinking without controlling yourself and repeated intoxication can lead to brain damage and other health complications.
The long-term effects of alcohol addiction include anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia, confusion, and inability to concentrate. It is also possible to suffer from malalignment of the spinal cord, situational lack of awareness, convulsions, and visual disturbances. You won’t be able to function properly if you are experiencing these effects of alcohol addiction.
Effects of Alcohol Addiction on the Body
- Alcohol abuse can damage the liver. Alcohol makes it hard to remove all the toxic substances from the body.
- One of the critical parts affected by abusing alcohol is the heart. Alcohol addiction is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease.
- Drinking too much alcohol can cause a buildup of enzymes that the pancreas generates. Alcohol addiction triggers unusual activities of these enzymes. It can cause an inflammation of the pancreas or pancreatitis.
- Men who drink too much alcohol are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. Heavy alcohol drinking can also discourage the development of sex hormones and decrease your libido. Women who drink too much may notice irregularities in their menstrual cycle. Alcohol addiction can contribute to issues with infertility.
- Too much alcohol intake can also lead to low blood sugar because of the improper functioning of the pancreas. On the other hand, a damaged pancreas may be the cause of too much sugar in the body and may result in diabetes.
- Heavy drinking of alcohol decreases the body’s immune response. Thus, making it harder to battle against intruders like germs, viruses, and bacterias.
Are you an Alcoholic?
Casual alcohol consumption is not a cause for concern in many adults. On the other hand, when alcohol drinking gets out of control, you might find yourself on a dangerous path towards alcohol dependence and addiction. Alcohol addiction is the most severe form of a drinking problem. The term expresses a strong, regularly uncontrollable urge to drink.
What Should You Do?
Alcohol addiction is nothing but a common problem in today’s world. If you are struggling with alcoholism, know that you are not alone. There are people who are undergoing the same path as you, and like others, you are not far away from help. It is not too late to make a change in your life by leaving alcohol addiction behind.
Contact Addiction Rehab Centers today to learn more about how you can get past alcohol addiction. We are here to help you.
Related article: What’s Stopping People from Seeking Addiction Treatment?
