Alcoholism
The stronghold that alcohol can take on an individual is absolutely devastating. Alcoholism can lead to many adverse health effects, social effects, emotional effects and consequences. Problematic drinking is often the cause of financial distress, emotional problems, relationship problems and a world of other hurt and pain that comes with this deadly disease. Despite the struggles that many go through as a result of their addiction to alcohol, many still cannot find the ability within themselves to quit drinking and get back on track. Even good people, with good intentions, fall victim to alcoholism and need help to stop drinking.
One of the most common addictions in the world, alcoholism leads to many long term consequences and the affects of this disease are felt by the friends and family member of the alcoholic, the coworkers and employers of the alcoholic and even by society as a whole. People who drink excessively tend to:
- have reduced productivity at work, home and school
- have mood swings that can lead to anger or aggressiveness
- remain distant from others who do not drink such as their family members
- suffer dire financial consequences as a result of losing a job, spending money on alcohol or getting in costly trouble with the law
- get arrested for DUI, public intoxication or another related offense
Health Effects of Alcoholism
Alcoholism can cause some serious problems in your life.
The ways that alcohol affects you physically can differ from one patient to the next but in all cases, the health effects of alcoholism are always adverse and dangerous. Some of the symptoms of alcoholism and the health effects that alcoholism will have on the consumer include:
- liver damage
- kidney damage
- brain damage
- pancreatitis
- esophageal cancer
- oropharyngeal cancer
- high blood pressure
- fetal alcohol syndrome
- bone degeneration
Alcoholism also affects people psychologically. An individual who abuses alcohol for a prolonged period of time is likely to suffer adverse and irreversible brain damage. Alcoholism treatment can help to stop the damage that alcohol causes in its tracks and at least get the patient back on track to a life free of alcohol. The social, emotional and physically damaging effects of alcoholism can be overcome with the help of a qualified treatment program.
Social Effects of Alcoholism
People who drink often do so socially at first but as the alcoholism progresses, the individual is likely to drink alone more and more often. In time, interactions with others can be affected each time the individual is under the influence of alcohol. Meaningful relationships suffer from the alcoholism and the individual’s need to drink gets in the way of having healthy interactions with friends, family members, children and other loved ones.
Emotional Effects of Alcoholism
Emotionally, alcoholism affects that individual in a number of ways. The negative consequences of alcohol abuse can lead to:
- legal problems
- financial problems
- loss of reputation
- loss of career opportunities
- loss of employment all together
- loss of relationships
There is Help for Alcoholism
Fortunately, even the worst cases of alcohol addiction can be treated. Inpatient alcohol rehab programs provide a safe environment for alcohol detox and recovery. If you or someone you know is addicted to alcoholism, consider seeking immediate help for the addiction. Through therapy, educational classes, outpatient treatment, and a range of counseling sessions, alcoholism can and will become a forethought in your future life of sobriety.
