Excessive alcohol consumption and the abuse of drugs are simply plain dangerous. Alcohol and drug abuse can impact your health and your ability function and think, and women are negatively affected much more than men. Heavy drinkers and drug abusers are not only seen a danger to themselves, but to other people on the highways, at home and at work.
Alcohol abuse are due to many interconnected factors, including genetics, the way you were raised, your social environment, as well as your emotional health. Some racial groups, for example American Indians and Native Alaskans, tend to be more at risk than others of developing alcohol addiction.
Alcohol, or ethyl alcohol (ethanol), refers back to the intoxicating ingredient found in wine, beer and difficult liquor. Alcohol arises naturally from carbohydrates when certain micro-organisms metabolize them even without the oxygen, called fermentation.
People who have a household history of alcoholism or who associate closely with heavy drinkers may develop drinking problems. Finally, those who are afflicted by a mental health problem for example anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder are also particularly at risk, because alcohol enables you to self-medicate.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
- Using alcohol in situations where it’s physically dangerous, for example drinking and driving, operating machinery while intoxicated, or mixing alcohol with prescription medicine against doctor’s orders.
- Repeatedly neglecting the position at home, work, or school from your drinking. For example, performing poorly at work, flunking classes, neglecting your kids, or skipping on commitments because you’re hung over.
- Experiencing repeated legal problems due to your drinking. For example, getting charged with driving under the influence or for drunk and disorderly conduct.
- Continuing to drink despite the fact that your alcohol use is causing problems inside your relationships. Getting drunk together with your buddies, for example, even though you know your spouse will be very upset, or fighting with the family because they dislike how you act whenever you drink.
- Drinking as a way to relax or de-stress. Many drinking problems start when individuals use alcohol to self-soothe and relieve stress. Getting drunk after every stressful day, for instance, or reaching for a bottle any time you have an argument with your spouse or boss.
Health Effects of Alcohol and Drugs
Almost every system within the body can be negatively affected by excessive or chronic alcohol consumption. Alcohol may cause cancer, liver disease, heart attacks and brain damage, for starters. Because many alcoholics also smoke, the health risks are further compounded.
Hangovers: Headaches, nausea, vomiting, pains and aches all result from drinking too much. Drinking to begin drunkenness makes you sick.
Weight gain: Alcohol isn’t water. A beer has about 150 “empty” calories that offer few if any nutrients.
High blood pressure: Together with being overweight, high blood pressure is associated with many serious health problems.
Effects of Alcohol Abuse
Depressed defense mechanisms: Impaired immunity makes you more prone to contract viral illnesses for example flu and infections.
Alcohol poisoning: Drinking large amounts can result in alcohol poisoning, which in turn causes unconsciousness and even death. Breathing slows, and also the skin becomes cold and could look blue. Don’t let a person within this condition “sleep it off.”.
Cancer: 2-4% of cancer cases are related to alcohol. Upper digestive system cancers are the most common, striking the esophagus, mouth, larynx, and pharynx. Women who drink just before menopause are more likely to develop cancer of the breast. Your risk of skin cancer doubles should you drink slightly more than “moderate levels.” Some studies implicate alcohol in colon, stomach, pancreas and cancer of the lung.
Liver disease: Heavy drinking may cause fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis and cancer from the liver. The liver stops working alcohol at the rate of only one drink each hour.
Heart or respiratory failure: Excessive drinking might have serious results. Heart or respiratory failure can indicate death.
