From our mental health and the relationships we have with others to the long and short-term effects of alcohol abuse, below are some sobering truths about alcohol addiction.
Alcohol addiction health effects
Sadly, failure to get alcohol addiction treatment can lead to a number of physical health problems including:
- Alcohol is a well-known depressant and a lifetime of drinking can lead to alcohol-related brain damage.
- Drinking raises our blood pressure and excessive alcohol consumption also damages the heart’s ability to pump, thus increasing the risk of heart failure.
- When drunk in excess, alcohol damages nearly all organ systems and according to the Journal of the American Heart Association, even one drink can double the risk of stroke.
- Excessive drinking can lead to cirrhosis of the liver which can lead to fatal liver failure.
- An American study has found that alcohol is linked to an increased risk of mouth, throat, gullet, bowel, liver and breast cancer.
Babies born to alcohol mothers suffer from Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
FAS is a debilitating condition which is passed onto babies when their mother consumes alcohol during pregnancy. As well as affecting a child’s physical appearance, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome can also impact hearing, lead to a weak immune system and cause epilepsy and heart, kidney and liver defects.
Because there aren’t always physical signs of the condition, a diagnosis is often missed and victims are left with learning difficulties and an inability to connect emotionally with their peers.
Addiction is difficult to overcome
Alcohol is a powerful, toxic and addictive drug because it releases endorphins in the brain. Because these chemicals are responsible for making us feel good, we get a lot of enjoyment from a glass of wine, a beer or our favorite spirit.
The problem doesn’t stop here however. Alcohol has been found to release endorphins into the part of the brain which has been linked to addictive behavior and decision making. When we drink, we experience pleasure and reward which naturally makes us more likely to want to repeat the experience.
It changes behaviors
Researchers at the University of Missouri discovered that alcohol doesn’t reduce our awareness of making mistakes, it simply reduces how much we care about making these mistakes. This is why someone with an alcohol addiction may be more likely to get into a fight, drive drunk, have a one-night stand or steal in order to fund their addiction.
It has negative effects on the brain
A person who drinks heavily over a prolonged period may suffer brain deficits that persist well after they reach sobriety. Studies show that the effects of alcohol on the brain can range from simple slips in memory to permanent and debilitating conditions which require lifetime custodial care.
It can affect your mental health
Alcohol addiction has been linked to a range of issues from depression and anxiety to suicide. This is because alcohol is a depressant and can therefore affect the delicate balance of chemicals and processes which keep us in a good mental state.
Other reasons why drinking too much may have a negative impact on our mental health include:
- It can affect your performance at work and you therefore may become worried about the security of your job. You may even lose your job which will naturally lead to financial worries.
- Alcohol abuse often leads to relationship and financial problems.
If you would like help for alcohol addiction in Toronto, please feel free to contact us in the strictest of confidence and we will be more than happy to help. Alternatively, you can visit our drugs and alcohol page for more information.
