Alcohol is a commonly abused substance world wide. While socially acceptable drug the side effects and consequences of alcohol abuse are widely documented and highly detrimental to the wellbeing of alcoholics.
Alcohol addiction could mean that you drink every day; or that you drink to excess every week; or that you feel you can't cope without alcohol. You don't have to be permanently drunk to be addicted.
While many people think alcohol is a mood-booster, it is in fact a central nervous system depressant. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions, causes slurred speech, reduces muscle control and coordination and misuse may lead to dependence and addiction. Cessation from alcohol can results in a number of unpleasant withdrawal effects such as hallucinations, seizures, irregular heartbeat, anxiety and tremors.
When combined with malnutrition, withdrawal can result in delirium tremens (DTs), a life-threatening condition. In the U.S., alcohol misuse is the predominant cause of liver failure. Alcohol can also cause cancer of the stomach, pancreas and esophagus as well as enlargement of the heart. Drinking and driving is also associated with nearly half of all fatal motor-vehicle accidents.
Although many people have a drink as a “pick me up,” alcohol actually depresses the brain. Alcohol lessens your inhibitions, slurs speech, and decreases muscle control and coordination, and prolonged use may lead to alcoholism.
Withdrawal from alcohol can cause anxiety, irregular heartbeat, tremor, seizures, and hallucinations. In its severest form, withdrawal combined with malnutrition can lead to a life-threatening condition called delirium tremens (DTs). Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of liver failure in the U.S. The drug can cause heart enlargement and cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, and stomach.
In addition to its direct health effects, officials associate alcohol abuse with nearly half of all fatal motor-vehicle accidents.
By combining professional help, self help, support from friends and family, and help from expert organizations, you can overcome this.
Individual counselling for drug addictions has proven to be one of the most effective ways to combat addictions and for clients to sustain their lasting sobriety and meaningful personal growth. Many people think that substances are the core of the addiction problem. However, substances are very often a temporary solution or coping mechanism used by the person to cope with deeper issues that exist in their emotional wellbeing. These emotional layers form over time and may need to be addressed through more focused talk therapy or addiction counselling.