Today, alcohol is easily accessible in our world today. While many people use a drink here and there to ease their levels of stress and to relax, over the long term it can lead to a range of physical and mental problem. What’s more, a person can become dependent on a strong substance like alcohol if they drink frequently each week. There is no doubt that our culture is one that promotes social drinking, whether it’s to get “lit” for raging college parties, prepare for a music festival, have fun at happy hour, or just survive a family reunion. Many people believe that there are no penalties or long term consequences from having a casual beer from time to time. Yet, some statistics clearly show that alcohol is in fact causing a dent in the welfare and overall health of our society.
Damaging Effects from Alcohol
Scientific research shows that as much as 86 percent of all people in the United States will drink alcohol at some point their lives. Around 70 percent will drink at least one time in any given year. This shows that alcohol is present in many Americans lives, and thus from that starting point an addiction can spawn. It only takes one time for someone to gain an addiction to a substance. Therefore, as it is a legal drug it’s very hard to recognize if someone has an addiction problem.
So, why is it exactly so important that we stay on the lookout for a loved one or friend who may be suffering from alcoholism? The haunting consequences that come with consistent alcohol consumption is enough to make a difference. We all are granted one life to live, and as the traditional saying goes, our body is a temple that must be taken care of. As a result, binge drinking alcohol on a daily, or even weekly basis would be just like treating your fragile body like a waste outlet. While drinking alcohol, a person will experience a range of damaging short term and long term impairments on their mind and body.
Long Term Consequences
If you were initially unaware, alcoholism is documented to kill five times the number of individuals annually than all other drugs known to man put together. In fact, more than 80,000 deaths are directly linked to drinking every single year according to national health records. These deaths are often drawn out and very painful since alcohol slowly degrades the body by eroding critical health systems. For example, on alcohol can cause irreversible damage in the form of fatty liver disease. This condition is often unspoken of, but is basically caused by excessive fat in the liver, making it harder for the organ to process toxins effectively and do its job normally. Another long term illness directly linked to frequent alcohol use is alcoholic cirrhosis. With this condition, the liver becomes so damaged that it scars. These wounds inhibit the function of the liver and are the last stage of the chronic liver disease. Along with this acquiring, alcohol hepatitis is always a possibility. This refers to high swelling of the liver, which in turn causes damage. This disease affects as many as 35 percent of heavy drinkers and can be mild to severe. In the latter, it can cause life-threatening complications or death.
These are just a few of the fatal diseases that alcohol can cause. Binge drinking on a regular basis can lead to someone developing a dangerous alcohol addiction and should be taken seriously. Just because you may be young and your body seems to recover from alcohol abuse quickly, doesn’t mean it will always be this way. Before you drink, please think about how your body will react to these dangerous substances and what damage it can do.
Recognizing the Signs
If you think someone you know may be suffering from alcoholism here are some of the signs to look out for. There are many signs that someone may be struggling with an addiction. First of all, if someone is starting to go out less and less for no apparent reason, they may be staying in to drink by themselves. If these actions are coupled with irregular mood swings and eating habits, there is a strong chance some type of substance abuse addiction is present. Furthermore, if you find out they are lying to you about their activities and the amount they drink, it is likely they are ashamed of an addiction or just don’t want you to know about it. If someone is conveying these signs, getting in touch with a rehab center to help out may not be a bad idea. Trained professionals will work closely with you to make sure you are doing the right things every day. It is worth having the correct support, addictions are a tough uphill battle, and you should get the help you need today.
