Too much of a good thing could eventually kill you. Alcohol, like many addictive substances, may pose health risks when consumed excessively. In the United States, alcohol is one of the most used addictive substances. Over 17 million people have alcohol dependence and have developed habits such as binge drinking.
Alcohol abuse is common in households. Seven million children live in homes with at least a parent who abuses alcohol. Long-term alcohol drinking causes serious health problems and can affect a person’s daily life. Alcohol can even affect the workplace, which is why some employers are using test kits from somewhere like https://www.countrywidetesting.com/collections/etg-drug-tests to ensure that their employees are not drinking while at work.
Alcohol is attributed to over 88,000 annual deaths. In fact, it is the third highest cause of deaths related to lifestyle in the United States. The drinker may feel euphoria when drunk with alcohol, but he or she could seriously regret it in the future
What Is Alcohol and Why Do People Like It?
Alcohol is a kind of substance that makes one feel drunk. Ethanol, its active ingredient, is created when yeast digests sugar. This is usually produced from grapes and grains.
Alcohol is the most common as well as most popular recreational form of drug. Too much consumption may cause several effects in a person’s mental state and mood. Most drinkers like the effects of alcohol on their behavior. It reduces self-consciousness and makes it easier for people to act without shyness. However, it can also cloud your judgment, which makes it common for heavy drinkers to regret their actions once they become sober. However, in some this leads to continued drinking in order to escape these feelings and this is where an addiction forms. The best way to reset yourself is to visit a rehab centre like sober house austin tx, which gives you the tools be able to cope with life without turning to alcohol.
Alcohol and the Liver
The liver is responsible for neutralizing the toxins from drinking alcohol. Therefore, it is the main organ that is affected when it comes to excessive alcohol drinking.
Some of the most common liver diseases are:
- Fatty liver – This is a condition where fat buildups develop in the liver. 90% of heavy alcohol drinkers develop fatty liver. This condition is reversible through changes in lifestyle and eliminating harmful alcohol drinking habits.
- Alcoholic Hepatitis – Alcoholic hepatitis is the condition where liver becomes inflamed due to excessive alcohol drinking. It is further aggravated when a person is a binge drinker and abuses alcohol on an ongoing basis.
- Cirrhosis – Cirrhosis is the excessive liver scarring. This happens when the liver is exposed to too many toxins, which includes alcohol, for a long period. Heavy consumption of alcohol causes liver cells to die and eventually creates scar tissues in the liver. This condition is irreversible and may lead to other life-threatening health issues.
Too much alcohol will damage your liver in the long run. Therefore, it is important to keep your alcohol consumption at a minimum. Controlling how much you drink can work wonders for your liver.
Alcohol and the Brain
Getting drunk clouds the mind, preventing it from making good judgments. Ethanol prevents the communication between the brain cells. This is short-term side effect of being drunk. Blackouts also occur, especially for binge drinkers. This is distinguished by amnesia or memory loss while drinking.
Alcohol and the Body
Alcohol has a high amount of energy and too much of it can cause obesity. A gram of alcohol consumed contains seven calories. Beer also has a high carbohydrate content. In fact, its carbohydrate content is, in many cases, equivalent to carbonated drinks.
Weight gain may depend on the type of alcohol you consume. Moderation is the key for those who want to avoid gaining unwanted pounds. Constantly drinking beer can cause weight gain. And weight gain leads to various health risks.
Other Concerns Caused By Alcoholism
Several issues and problem areas are linked with alcoholism. Alcohol dependency can cause:
- Cardiovascular diseases – Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of fatality today. Too much alcohol is linked to an increased risk of developing poor cardiovascular health.
- Alcohol-related violence and accidents – Once you get drunk, you will not have the right mind to think straight. Sometimes, emotions can get the best of you and you will not be able to control yourself anymore. Driving after drinking also poses serious risk for auto accidents.
- Underage alcohol consumption – With peer pressure and the need to “fit in,” many young people are turning to alcohol. Not only this, but it’s becoming easier for teens to purchase high-quality South Carolina Fake ID, which often is difficult to identify as fake nowadays. Not only does alcohol pose health risks for teens, but legal situations could arise when underage individuals are found to be in possession of alcohol.
Those who find themselves becoming dependent on alcohol may find themselves seeking treatment in rehab from somewhere similar to Niznik Health to get help for their addiction. - Diabetes (Type 2) – Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic disease and affects a significant proportion of the entire population. This condition shows a very high blood sugar, where there is a decrease in the blood sugar uptake. This is also referred to as insulin resistance.
- Cancer – Alcoholism poses risk factors for liver, colon, mouth, throat, and breast cancer. The risk is higher as the daily consumption increases.
What Should You Do?
Alcohol dependency may have taken over your life; however, it is not too late to overcome it. Moderation is the best way to beat alcoholism. Alcohol is addictive, which is why it is important to consume it with self-control. Change your lifestyle. Be more active. Keep yourself away from alcohol by choosing an activity that can help you avoid thinking of drinking. Reach out to a Homestead alcoholics anonymous group and get the support and guidance to help you kick this addiction for good.
Learn how much is too much to avoid drinking more than the recommended amount. One of the many reasons why you should avoid alcohol to live healthy is to enjoy life without any worries. Remember, you do not have to consume alcohol just to feel happy.
Thalia Mott
Thalia Mott has had a decade’s worth of experience as a law writer, which she hopes to share through her works. She is an avid sports fan and loves watching games if she has free time.