There is no question that alcohol abuse can have a detrimental impact on your physical and mental health.
Struggling to cope with addiction is going to take its toll on virtually every aspect of your daily life.
There are a number of ways that alcohol abuse can interfere with your daily functioning.
Here are some key points to consider.
How alcohol abuse impacts your brain
In many ways, heavy use and even abuse of alcohol is the proverbial elephant in the room. We can all see it happening to those around us or you might have an issue with excessive drinking and not realize how much of an impact it is having on your brain.
Alcohol is the most prevalent drug in the United States, for instance, with almost 90% of the nation’s adults having drunk alcohol at some point.
It might be only a minority who lose control over their drinking habits and slip into excessive use and even addiction. However, because drinking is seen as socially acceptable there are certain mental health issues that can quickly creep up on you.
Alcohol intoxication has been shown to disturb the natural balance of your brain functionality. When it comes to alcohol abuse, your brain is forced to try and adapt to counteract the effect of your drinking.
The end result is often a loss of memory function and a higher potential to develop mental health conditions.
Increased risk to your short-term health
If you are drinking excessively you are putting yourself at greater risk of being injured in a car accident or having some sort of fall or domestic accident, such as burning yourself unintentionally.
You might take more risks
Your perception of danger and risks tends to be impaired when you drink too much alcohol.
Alcohol abuse heightens the prospect of risky behavior such as increased promiscuity. This can lead to sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancy.
Problems with your blood pressure
Excessive drinking over a prolonged period of time will often ultimately lead to the development of some adverse long-term health consequences.
There are numerous health issues attached to alcohol abuse. These include higher blood pressure, a heightened risk of heart disease, and liver disease (1). You are also more likely to develop digestive problems when consuming too much alcohol on a regular basis.
When your body is struggling to process excessive amounts of alcohol you also raise the prospect of weakening your immune system and getting sick more regularly.
Relationship problems
A common consequence of alcohol abuse is you can often develop social problems. These include an ability to maintain a regular relationship with a partner, and a distancing between you and your immediate family.
Problems with alcohol can also make it more challenging to hold down a regular job.
Alcohol abuse raises your risk profile in so many ways. You should reach out for help and support if you feel that your levels of alcohol consumption have gone beyond normal limits and it is now impacting your daily functioning.
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