Drinking is so common in many cultures and the effects vary so widely from person to person, it can be hard to figure out if or when your alcohol intake has become a problem. However, if you consume alcohol to cope with difficulties or to avoid feeling bad, you’re in potentially dangerous territory. It is not suggested to start drinking for prevention of heart disease. Neither the American Heart Association nor the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommend starting to drink alcohol simply to prevent heart disease. Alcohol can lead to other health issues and may be addictive.

Oxidative stress can lead to stiffened arteries, resulting in higher blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Harmful use of alcohol is accountable for 7.1% and 2.2% of the global burden of disease for males and females respectively. Alcohol is the leading risk factor for premature mortality and disability among Top 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing Sober House those aged 15 to 49 years, accounting for 10%
of all deaths in this age group. Disadvantaged and especially vulnerable populations have higher rates of alcohol-related death and hospitalization. Know the danger signals, and if you suspect that someone has an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help immediately.

Conditions

But even if you’re able to succeed at work or hold your marriage together, you can’t escape the effects that alcoholism and alcohol abuse have on your personal relationships. Drinking problems put an enormous strain on the people closest to you. It’s not always easy to tell when your alcohol intake has crossed the line from moderate or social drinking to problem drinking.

But your liver may not be able to keep up if you drink too much too fast. Alcohol can kill liver cells, and lead to scarring called cirrhosis. Long-term heavy use of alcohol also may give you alcoholic fatty liver disease, a sign that your liver doesn’t work as well as it should. Symptoms of alcoholic liver disease include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice — a yellow tinge to the eyes or skin. However, symptoms rarely emerge until the liver has been severely damaged.

Addiction is a disease, we have addiction medicine that saves lives.

Your treatment setting will depend on your stage of recovery and the severity of your illness. You may need inpatient medical (hospital), residential rehabilitation (rehab), outpatient intensive therapy or outpatient maintenance. Alcoholism is a disease that does not discriminate and can impact anyone – regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, body type or personal beliefs. If you or a loved one is ready to overcome an alcohol addiction, reach out today.

Seeking professional help will provide you with the greatest chance for lasting sobriety. The pancreas is part of the digestive process and helps regulate your body’s blood sugar levels. Drinking alcohol over many years can start to negatively impact your pancreas and cause lasting health complications. Unfortunately, the early stages of many pancreatic conditions are often unfelt and therefore, left untreated. A person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) determines the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system. Those who have built up a tolerance to alcohol can drink more than those with a lower tolerance level.

Understanding Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

Co-occurring alcohol abuse and mental health conditions, like depression, bipolar and schizophrenia, can cause an array of serious side effects. In order to overcome these issues, each one should be treated by a medical specialist. Choosing to overcome alcoholism is a huge decision in a person’s life.

Interestingly, these differences in the ADH1C gene do not influence the risk of heart disease among people who don’t drink alcohol. This adds strong indirect evidence that alcohol itself reduces heart disease risk. Many people drink alcohol because of its effects, like lowered inhibitions. Alcohol affects the chemicals in the brain, sending messages that increase impulsivity. These chemical messages and feelings can alter your behavior and your judgment skills. Alcohol is a toxin, and it’s your liver’s job to flush it out of your body.

However, only small amounts of wine or alcohol are suggested to be beneficial. However, according to a 2010 study published in the medical journal The Lancet, alcohol is the most harmful drug to society. The study looked at 20 of the most popular drugs, examining their effects on health, social behavior, relationships, the economy, and the environment. It’s also called alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction or alcohol abuse. Some of the early cardiovascular effects, like high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat, can lead to a host of problems down the road. Long-term consequences of excessive drinking may include cardiomyopathy, stroke and sudden cardiac death.

Drinking alcohol does not mean that a person will develop a substance use problem or addiction. But, with alcohol so readily available and socially acceptable, it can be difficult to recognize the signs that indicate it is becoming a problem. Alcohol is regarded differently than the other most dangerous drugs.

Binge drinking is defined as drinking so much that your blood alcohol level reaches the legal limit of intoxication within a couple of hours. For men, that means consuming five or more drinks within about two hours, and for women, four or more drinks within a similar period. These levels can be easy to hit if you sink shots, play drinking games, drink cocktails containing multiple servings of alcohol, or otherwise lose track of your intake. The treatment of alcoholism requires strong family, social and medical support. Treatment for alcohol dependence usually involves a wide array of interventions, including stepped therapy, group support, individual counseling, and medications.