The Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder, or AUD, is a medical diagnosis given to a person who can no longer control their drinking despite the problems it causes. Drinking too much alcohol over an extended period of time can cause brain, body, and relationship problems. Now, let’s examine what can occur if someone has alcohol addiction for a long period.
Effects of alcohol addiction on Your Body
1. Liver Damage:
Fatty Liver: This is when fat develops in your liver. It usually is the first sign of trouble and can be fixed if you stop drinking.
Alcoholic Hepatitis: This is when your liver gets swollen and stops working right. It may make you feel really sick.
Cirrhosis: This is when your liver gets so damaged it can’t heal anymore. It can cause the liver to fail, which is quite serious.
2. Heart Problems:
Blood Pressure: Excessive drinking tends to raise blood pressure, which isn’t good for your heart.
Damage to Heart Muscle: This happens due to excessive drinking. It makes the muscles of your heart weak, and as a result, they are not capable of pumping blood properly.
Irregular Heartbeats: Binge drinking may make your heart go out of rhythm, which is dangerous.
Risk of Stroke and Heart Attack: Heavy amounts of drinking increase the risks for strokes and heart attacks.
3. Digestive Problems:
Stomach Problems: Excessive alcohol consumption irritates your stomach lining and causes pain and vomiting.
Pancreatitis: a severe belly pain that results because of inflammation of the pancreas.
Problems with Your Esophagus: Whenever you drink too much and keep doing it for a long time, it may result in an effect to your liver. This may end in a swelling or bleeding in the vein sloping to your esophagus.
4. Nerve Damage:
Peripheral Neuropathy: Drinking too much can damage your nerves and cause pain and weakness in your hands and feet.
Memory Problems: A lack of vitamin B1, common among heavy drinkers, can lead to severe memory problems.
5. Weaker Immune System:
More Infections: Drinking alcohol makes it harder for your body to fight infections, so you get sick more often.
6. Cancer:
Increased Risk: Drinking a lot increases your risk of developing cancers, especially in the mouth, throat, liver, colon, and breast.
Effects of alcohol addiction on Your Mind
1. Thinking Problems:
Cognitive Decline: Chronic consumption can cause difficulties in clearly thinking, memorizing, and focusing.
2. Problems with Mental Health:
Depression and Anxiety: Alcohol can increase feelings of sorrow and apprehension.
Increased Suicide Risk: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to self-harm.
Consequences for Your Life
1. Relationship Issues:
Problematic Relationships: Too much alcohol can damage relationships with your family, friends, and colleagues. It can trigger quarrels and destroy mutual trust.
2. Legal Problems:
Legal Problems: Alcohol is synonymous with legal problems, including driving under the influence or public intoxication.
3. Work Problems:
Poor Job Performance: Drinking leads to poor work performance, and such problems may lead to poor ratings, absenteeism, or even loss of a job.
4. Financial Problems:
Financial Issues: Alcohol costs money, and the legal and medical bills add to many financial problems.
Getting Help and Recovering
Recovery from alcohol addiction can be done, but it’s almost always a long-drawn process. To help, here’s how you get started:
1. Counseling and Therapy:
Talk to a Professional: A counselor or therapist can help you understand why you drink and teach you ways to cope without alcohol.
2. Support Groups:
Join a Group: Groups like AA provide support from people who understand what you’re going through.
3. Medication:
If Necessary, Take Medication: Some medications may help you lower your craving for drinks or otherwise make abstinence easy.
4. Healthy Habits:
Change Your Lifestyle: Good nutrition, exercise, and new interests will help keep you far away from alcohol.
5. Remain Committed:
Stay away from Triggers: Stay away from that which causes your urge of having to drink, such as certain people, places, things, and situations that you associate with drinking. Keep up with the therapy and meetings of support groups to cope up and prevent relapse.
Conclusion
Long-term effects of alcohol addiction can cause a lot of severe problems to both your body and mind, as well as your life. It is, however, treatable with good guidance and support. Do not wait until the condition of alcohol addiction becomes critical for you or your loved one. The earlier the better, for a healthier, happier life.
