Alcohol use is a common part of almost everyone’s social life. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 70.0 percent of people aged over 18 surveyed in 2018 said they’d consumed alcohol at some point in the past year. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration defines binge drinking as 5 or more alcoholic drinks for males or 4 or more alcoholic drinks for females on the same occasion. According to the same survey, almost 27 percent of people surveyed said they’d engaged in binge drinking at some point in the past month.

Given this prevalence of alcohol use in our society, it is a useful thing to be aware of the effects that alcohol and heavy alcohol use can have on our bodies.

Alcohol effect on the body

Alcohol affects a lot of our biochemical processes which is why it can be classified as a drug. Its effect on our brain causes a decrease in the effectiveness of the communication pathways and at synapses. This can cause a decrease in judgment ability and reactivity, which is why we are warned against drinking and driving.

Alcohol also affects our cardiovascular system. There has been a link to alcoholism and increased cases of cardiomyopathy, stroke, arrhythmias, and increased blood pressure.

Alcohol affects the liver a lot as the liver is responsible for detoxifying the alcohol out of your system. Alcoholism has been linked to increased cases of cirrhosis, liver failure, and fatty liver disease.

The National Cancer Institute reported that a link between several types of cancer and alcohol use can be shown. The USDHHS lists alcohol as a known human carcinogen.

Alcohol also decreases your ability to fight infections by suppressing your immune system.

Short-Term Health Risks

Excessive alcohol use decreases our ability to make good judgments and also decreases our reaction time.

Therefore, excessive alcohol intoxication can lead to injuries, such as vehicle crashes, falls due to being impaired, drownings, and burns.

Increased violence can include the risk of physical or sexual assault or self-harm.

Alcohol poisoning, which can result from an extreme excess of alcohol taken in a short period.

Miscarriage and stillbirth can be a risk for pregnant women.

Long-Term Health Risks

In addition to the physical health risks of alcohol, excessive alcohol use has been tied to decreased memory and mental capacity. This can lead to degenerative health disorders like dementia.

Alcohol use can also cause mental health disorders like depression and it can impair persons person’s perform at or even show up to work or school.

Due to this, individuals who have an alcohol abuse disorder can have a lot of social problems such as unemployment, an inability to keep commitments to friends and family, and homelessness.

Conclusion

Alcohol abuse has several negative drawbacks. If a loved one you know is suffering reach out and get them into a program at Alcohol rehab Austin facility. Alternatively, a detox Austin facility can also be useful.

Sober living Austin offers a more community-based approach to getting sober.

Keywords

https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body

https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/effects-on-body

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/how-alcohol-affects-your-body