Does Alcohol Affect Your Overall Health?

Does alcohol affect your overall health?  Yes, it does. Alcohol addiction can affect many areas of your life.  Aside from damaging relationships, careers, and  your dignity, alcoholism can profoundly affect your overall health.  We have all seen what the affects of someone drinking too much at a club, bar, or party are.  How alcohol affects each person depends on a number of factors such as their mood, tolerance, intake, and what they are drinking.  Some people become the life of the party while others get moody, sad, and depressed.  Obviously, something that can affect you that profoundly short-term can have some radical effects to your health from long-term abuse.

How Does Alcohol Affect Your Overall Health?

With an increased exposure to alcohol, the body will begin to increase the level of liver enzymes that are used to break down the alcohol and also increase the activity in the brain and nervous system neurons.  All of the extra activity is what can cause a person to function more normally with the alcohol than without it.  Unfortunately, this also means that when the body does not have alcohol, the addict can become extremely irritable, creating an increased risk for domestic abuse and violence.  The increase in the nerve activity can contribute to several things that can happen in the body.  The first is that it contributes to the cravings for alcohol and the second is that it also contributes to hallucinations and convulsions when the alcohol is withdrawn.  This is what makes it so difficult to overcome abuse and dependence on alcohol.

Long term, alcohol dependence can cause major problems with the liver because of all of the increased activity.  Severe alcoholism can cause cirrhosis of the liver, liver disease, or even liver failure.  Brain cells in various centers of the brain die as a result of the alcohol abuse which can reduce the total brain mass.  Other problems can include stomach and intestinal ulcers, high blood pressure, reduction in sperm count for men, anemia, and an increased risk for cancer.  All of these only cover the physical problems and do not account for the psychological problems that can be caused by alcohol addiction.

Does Alcohol Affect Your Overall Health Forever?

There is no cure for alcoholism, but it is treatable with an alcohol addiction treatment program.  A successful program that is designed to meet the needs of your addiction can help you learn how to cope with your addiction and how to avoid triggers that may cause a relapse or craving.  If you or someone you love is in need of help because of alcohol abuse or addiction, please call us for help.  If you’re still asking how does alcohol affect your overall health, or to find addiction help call for more information today.