Dangers of Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Alcohol is a surprisingly dangerous substance. Many Americans have no idea of the risks they are taking when binge drinking (4 to 5 standard drinks or more during a single occasion according to the Centers for Disease Control) or drinking heavily (8 or more drinks a week for women, 15 or more drinks a week for men), because alcohol is such a socially acceptable substance.
Some of the short-term effects of drinking alcohol excessively include:
- Clouded judgment, slurred speech, slowed reaction times, and motor impairment
- Alcohol poisoning or alcohol overdose (a medical emergency due to high blood alcohol levels after drinking an excess amount of alcohol)
- Injuries like falls, burns, drowning and motor vehicle crashes after alcohol consumption
- Impulsive behavior and taking unnecessary dangerous risks after consuming alcohol
- Violence and fighting, including homicide, suicide, and sexual assault
- Blacking out and memory gaps
- Fetal alcohol syndrome in babies of pregnant people who drink
How Alcohol Affects Your Physical Health
The long-term effects of alcohol on the body can become quite severe, with increased risk of developing issues like:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Liver disease
- Liver cirrhosis
- Fatty liver
- Inflammatory damage
- Hyperglycemia leading to diabetes
- Central nervous system damage
- Digestive problems
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
- Cancer risk including mouth, throat, liver, colon and breast cancer
- Weakened immune system
- Learning and memory issues
- Mental health problems
Alcohol abuse and excessive drinking not only affects your health, it also causes you to be alcohol dependent, leading to addiction.
Signs Someone Is Addicted to Alcohol
If a person has been drinking heavily and is wondering if they are addicted to alcohol, they may want to look for signs like:
- Feeling alcohol withdrawal symptoms when they try to cut back or stop drinking
- Developing a tolerance, needing to drink more to feel the same effects of alcohol intoxication
- Avoiding friends and family, deciding to spend time with people who drink instead
- Needing to drink just to get through the day or feel normal
- Losing control over their alcohol intake, even if they meant to only have “just one”
- Drinking alone or in secret, or feeling ashamed at how much they are drinking
- If they choose to drink even when it negatively affects their relationships, causes health issues, or creates trouble at work or school
When To Get Help for Excessive Drinking
The line between casual drinker and alcoholic is not always obvious. Alcohol use disorders often come on gradually over time, turning a casual drink or two a week into a habit which becomes a dependence. It may be time to look into a substance abuse treatment program if you:
- Have been abusing alcohol for over a year
- Have been using drugs and alcohol together
- Are noticing negative physical effects or consequences to your health due to excessive alcohol consumption
- Feel like your level of alcohol intake is steadily rising
- Feel like you are becoming obsessed with when you can take your next drink
- Are noticing withdrawal symptoms when you don’t have alcohol in your system
Alcohol Rehab at Serenity Oaks
Serenity Oaks is a detox and rehabilitation center that uses an integrated program that is customized to each patients’ individual needs during treatment for alcoholism. We provide medical treatment and prescription medication for withdrawal management, combined with psychological health care, and a holistic treatment plan that will reduce your risk of harm as you heal your body, mind and spirit.
Through our various tailored inpatient and outpatient treatment plans, you will have all the support and care you need, as you learn about your addiction, heal the underlying causes of your substance abuse issues, and learn new ways to think, act, and live through treatments like:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Multidimensional Family Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Nutrition classes
- Meditation and Yoga
- Life Skills Courses
- Group Therapy
- Individual therapy
Whether you are ready to get help for your own chronic heavy drinking or have questions about a loved one’s alcohol intake and how to help them, you can call our team today at (833) 720-0708. We can answer your questions and help you or your loved one begin down their own road to recovery.
