How Long-Term Alcohol Abuse Affects the Body
Alcohol is an example of a substance that is readily used by people all over the world on any given day. Some people decide to come home at the end of a long day and pour themselves a drink just to relax. There are other people who have the occasional drink at a social get-together. However, there are many people who struggle with alcohol addiction and heavy drinking for the majority of their life. Alcohol use disorders are incredibly common, regardless of where you live. A person is designated as having alcohol use disorders when the standard drinks no longer compensate for them. Instead of having a drink here and there, their drinking pattern escalates to the point where it is a health risk.
It’s important to understand that there are several long-term health risks and short-term effects that a person who is alcohol-dependent may experience. In many cases, it’s possible that you may be able to work through the long-term health risks associated with the time that you consumed alcohol as long as you address your alcoholism sooner rather than later. Some examples of long-term health risks associated with excessive drinking can include:
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Stroke
- Heart damage
- Obesity
- Issues with nutrition
- Hormonal imbalances
- Cancer
- Stomach ulcers
It’s important to note that alcohol abuse can also make any person more susceptible to possible sexual assault or abuse. Alcohol is a substance that can alter your perception which could lead someone who nefarious motives to take advantage of you when you’re in a less than sober state.
How Long-Term Alcohol Abuse Affects the Brain
A mistake that many people that are working through a substance abuse treatment program make is only looking at the physical consequences associated with alcohol and health. However, you should never overlook the fact that substance abuse can also have a direct impact on you psychologically as well. There are several mental health conditions that a person could experience as a result of excessive drinking. For instance, did you know that depression and anxiety are two of the leading mental health conditions that a person with chronic heavy drinking experiences? The brain and nervous system are directly impacted when you have a habitual drinking problem. Other examples of long-term alcohol abuse on the brain include:
- Nerve damage
- Trouble with balance
- Insomnia
- Problems with the attention span
- Wet brain
- Dementia
When you come to a point where you’re ready to work through your addiction, your treatment team will likely send you for an abundance of tests so that they can accurately assess how much damage you have done to your brain as a result of your addiction.
Defining Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse is defined as habitually misusing alcohol. There are many people who are able to drink a few glasses of alcohol here and there and put that drink down and not think of it again. However, a person that has an alcohol abuse disorder will not be able to stop their drinking with just one or two drinks. Instead, they will have a compulsion to continue to drink until they feel the effects of the influence of that substance.
Signs of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
Is it possible that you’re struggling with an alcohol abuse issue? Do you have concerns that a friend or a loved one may be suffering from alcohol addiction? Here are some of the signs and symptoms that are commonly associated with alcohol addiction:
Issues maintaining relationships with friends or loved ones
The people that are the closest to you will often recognize when something isn’t right. For instance, when you are under the influence of your drink of choice, those that know you the best will probably be able to tell quite quickly that something is wrong. In time, your loved ones may begin to take steps away from the relationship that they have with you.
Anti-social behavior
In order to protect your addiction, you may begin to express anti-social behavior and tendencies. If you were once an outgoing person and you or your loved ones notice that you are suddenly pulling back from relationships so that you can spend more time drinking, it may be time for you to reach out for help.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are something that begins to manifest within mere hours from the time that you take your last drink. This is something that can come as somewhat of a surprise to many people who mistakenly believe that they may have more time when it comes to making arrangements for detox. Examples of withdrawal symptoms that you could experience during the time that you’re in detox can include:
- Cravings
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Fatigue
- Cognitive issues
- Seizures
It also wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility for a person to die as a result of the withdrawal symptoms that they experience. This is the leading reason why you should never attempt to go through the detox process unless you are under the care of trained addiction experts.
Alcohol Rehab and Detox at Pacific Manor
When you’re ready to reach out for treatment for alcohol abuse and to address the potential long-term effects of alcoholism, the Pacific Manor Treatment team is here to help you. We have a history of assisting clients who need assistance in tackling their alcohol intoxication issues. Depending on the amount of alcohol that you drink and the severity of your addiction, it’s possible that you may need to begin your recovery program in an alcohol detox program as part of your overall addiction treatment plan. Once your alcohol use and addiction manifest and take hold of your life, it’s possible that you may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms such as alcohol cravings. Once a person stops drinking, they may experience withdrawal symptoms to the point where they are not able to properly care for themselves which can have a physical and psychological effect on the body. This is one of the reasons why it’s vital that if you have a chronic heavy drinking issue, you need to disclose the extent of that issue to your treatment team when you initially reach out so that they can help you to prepare for the symptoms that you may experience during alcohol detox.
Once you complete detox, the next step in your recovery journey will be to dedicate yourself to a comprehensive addiction treatment program. Many people that had to work through a detox program will feel more comfortable committing to an inpatient treatment plan. The reason for this is that an inpatient treatment program, also known as a residential treatment plan, can provide you with the around-the-clock care that you received during the time that you were in detox. You will have unlimited access to your recovery team and you will also be able to enjoy a home away from home type of environment that our addiction treatment facility has to offer. One of the other leading benefits associated with an inpatient treatment program is the fact that you will be able to interact with others that are working through their own treatment program. This can provide you with an added level of support from others that can understand exactly what you’re feeling.
However, not every person is able to commit to an inpatient treatment program due to personal or professional responsibilities. If you fall into this category, then you may be more well-suited for an outpatient treatment program. At Pacific Manor, we offer an intensive outpatient treatment program as well as a general outpatient treatment plan to suit your individual needs. For instance, if you have a part-time job, you may be more interested in committing to an intensive outpatient program because it will provide you with the structure that you need to complete your treatment program but the flexibility that you need to see to your work responsibilities.
If you work or go to school full time, however, you may not have the flexibility to commit to either an inpatient program or an intensive outpatient program. However, you can still receive treatment through a general outpatient treatment plan. If your work or school schedule happens to change during the course of your treatment program, simply coordinate with your treatment team and they can make adjustments for you.
If you would like to learn more about an addiction treatment program at Pacific Manor or you’re ready to take the next step and truly tackle your addiction, our recovery team is ready when you are. Our intake team is available around the clock to help you begin to put together your addiction treatment program. Regardless of whether you have attempted to work through a treatment program in the past or this is your first time attempting to navigate through your recovery, you can rest assured that we will be there for you and with you every step of the way. For more information about the Pacific Manor Treatment Center, please get in touch with us today at (888) 300-4370.
Learn about the long term effects of alcohol abuse and get help today at Pacific Manor Recovery! #alcoholabuse #pacificmanorhttps://t.co/zi3wJQOwqo
— Pacific Manor Recovery (@PMRRecovery) March 8, 2022
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