The Challenge
Health Problems of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol greatly disturbs the structure and function of the central nervous system, hindering the ability to retrieve, consolidate, and process information.
Skin and pancreatic disorders can develop, bones and muscles can weaken and immunity is affected.
Alcohol can also harm vision, damage sexual function, slow circulation, be the grounds for malnutrition, and water retention.
Even a moderate consumption of alcohol can affect the way we think; large amounts can seriously interfere with the oxygen supply of the brain and cause a blackout when totally drunk.
Irregular heartbeats can be the result of binge drinking, plus experiencing a higher risk of high-blood pressure, heart attacks, and other heart damage.
Brain cells can be damaged, possibly leading to brain damage.
The Effects of Alcohol Abuse on the Liver
The liver is a major detoxification unit within the body and general health and well being is seriously affected by alcohol abuse. The liver has a fixed rate of breaking down the alcohol so as the liver is overused, disorders and malfunctions can result. Alcohol abuse puts the liver at risk. We need the liver to survive.
- Liver Damage Can Occur in Three Stages:
First stage: Liver enlargement – liver cells are penetrated with abnormal fatty tissue.
Second stage: Alcoholic hepatitis – liver cells swell, inflame, and eventually die.
Third stage: Cirrhosis – fibrous scar tissues are formed, hindering the flow of blood through the liver.
When alcohol takes over your life, your life is shortened. Is it worth the risk?
Change direction now to a healthier lifestyle and seek help take back control over alcohol.
The Solution
Alcohol Can Affect People Differently
Some people say drinking, whether beer, wine or spirits, helps them to cope with stressful days, lonely nights or give them ‘dutch courage’ i.e. feel more confident, to handle a situation, whether this be a meeting at work, a job interview, taking an exam, or simply just to cope with life generally. Alcohol can cause some people to feel sleepy, whereas in others it can cause sleep disturbance by interfering with their normal sleep cycle.
Alcohol is often referred to as a ‘demon in disguise’. The relaxed happy state that many people first experience can take on an ugly side as more alcohol is drunk. This can lead to unpleasant, even dangerous emotional disturbances and too often, the result is an angry, even aggressive, out of control person. People who are sensitive to alcohol can inflict harm onto others, themselves, or destroy property.
Alcohol Abuse is often caught up in the Domestic Violence cycle whether this be verbal abuse, physical abuse, or sexual abuse.
Alcohol Checklist:
Is alcohol affecting your work or study?
Do you feel you need a drink to cope?
Do arguments develop when you drink?
Have you ever hurt someone when drinking alcohol?
Have you ever damaged property?
Do you risk drinking and driving?
Do you rely on alcohol to sleep?
Or feel alcohol helps you feel calmer, more relaxed?
How often do you drink? Daily, 2-3 times/week, or ‘hit the drink’ at weekends?
When alcohol takes over your life, your life is shortened. Is it worth the risk?
Change direction now to a healthier lifestyle and seek help take back control over alcohol.
