The Dangers of Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Most people like to kick their feet up, relax, and sip on an alcoholic beverage every now and then. But if you’re not careful, the euphoria of one drink can quickly add up until it’s excessive drinking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or those under 21 years of age. In 2019, 14.5 million Americans aged 12 and older struggled with an alcohol use disorder, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Excessive alcohol use can lead to alcohol addiction or alcoholism. An addiction and abuse of alcohol or substance abuse has immediate side effects. You or your loved one may struggle with alcoholism if you:
- Drink more, or longer, than you plan to
- Have tried to cut back on drinking alcohol but can’t
- Engage in harmful drugs
- Spend a lot of time drinking, being sick, or hungover
- Want alcohol so bad, you can’t think of anything else
- Have problems with work, school, or family because of alcohol
- Lose interest in things that you used to enjoy
- Have to drink more than you used to in order to feel the effects of alcohol
- Have withdrawal symptoms when the buzz of alcohol wears off
Studies show that alcohol is several times as harmful as cocaine. Drinking too much can lead to harmful health conditions and consequences, as well as other effects of alcohol like:
- Addiction and abuse to drugs and alcohol
- Opioid addiction
- Injuries, like from motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, or burns
- Violence
- Alcohol poisoning
- Risky sexual behavior
- Misscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders among pregnant women
Is Alcohol A Narcotic?
While narcotics are considered a controlled schedule drug by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), alcohol is not. According to the dictionary, the definition of narcotic is “any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, and alcohol, that in large quantities produce euphoria, stupor, or coma, that when used constantly can cause habituation or addiction, and that are used in medicine to relieve pain, cause sedation, and induce sleep.”
According to the dictionary definition of the word narcotic, alcohol could be considered one. However, alcohol is not thought of or treated as a narcotic or harmful drug by the American population.
Why Alcohol Is The Deadliest Drug in the World
Studies show that alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of death. In fact, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has reported that alcohol misuse causes more than 88,000 deaths each year. For comparison, all other prescription medications, opioids, and illegal drugs cause about 30,000 deaths a year. Not only is alcohol harmful to individuals who abuse the substance, but alcoholism and the effects of alcohol is a dangerous drug to the community as a whole. And what makes this addictive substance so deadly is it’s a legal drug. Because alcohol is legal in the U.S., it’s easily accessible and easy for addicts to get a hold of, unlike illegal substances like synthetic marijuana, crystal meth, heroin and crack cocaine, and other drugs.
Why You Should Choose Serenity Oaks for Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Alcoholism is a disease that doesn’t discriminate against who it affects. The good news is there are treatment program options available for those who struggle with alcohol addiction and drug addiction. At Serenity Oaks Wellness Center treatment center, you or your loved one can start their road to recovery in alcoholism treatment with an experienced team to offer support during alcohol rehab and drug addiction. Here, you’ll experience a holistic approach to alcoholism treatment, alcohol detox, and substance use treatment, including ongoing therapy treatment such as EMDR therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, as well as disorder treatment that’s tailored to exactly what you need for addiction recovery. No matter what level of care you enroll in, from inpatient treatment or intensive outpatient treatment, Serenity Oaks alcohol rehab program helps eliminate alcohol dependency and gives you the tools you need on your road to recovery. For more information call (833) 720-0708.
