The Effects of Alcoholism

A little of alcohol can cure diseases within the body but drinking too much of it may lead to alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease, which affects the alcoholic’s physical health, emotional well-being and behavior.

• Physical Effects
• Impairs mental and physical reflexes
• Cancer of the brain, tongue, mouth, oesophagus, larynx and bladder;
• Liver damage such as cirrhosis, fatty liver (steatosis) and hepatitis;
• Ulcers and gastritis.
• Brain damage and nerve problems.
• Heart and blood pressure problems.
• Leads to malnutrition and stomach disorder.
• Obesity and overweight
• Sexual problems
• Causes birth defects such as foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a serious but completely preventable health problem that tragically affects its victims and their families. A child with foetal alcohol syndrome will suffer from this disorder throughout his or her life. Babies born with FAS tend to have;

• Defect in weight
• Defect in height
• Smaller heads
• Heart problems
• Deformed facial features
• Abnormal joints and limbs
• Poor coordination
• Memory loss
• Learning problems

Other problems experienced by victims are mental health problems, a disrupted school experience, inappropriate sexual behavior, and a lot of statistics point a bug problem in the law with drug abuse being the main reason for this.

Alcohol and Cancer

Drinking can make your cancer care less effective or more difficult for you. For example: If you need surgery, alcohol in your body can create problems with the medicine needed to put you to sleep (anesthesia).

If you are being treated with cancer drugs (chemotherapy), you may get sores in your mouth, and alcohol will make them worse and cause infections.

If you need radiation treatment or chemotherapy, you will need to eat well to stay strong. Drinking can interfere with good eating habits and a quick recovery.

Alcohol abuse will keep you from coping well with cancer and its stresses and emotional demands on the body.

Emotional and Behavioral Effects

Alcohol may cause someone to do things he or she might not do otherwise (e.g., driving at high speeds or other daredevil acts).

Mood changes such as, anger, violent behavior, depression or even suicide can be intensified as more alcohol is consumed within the body Alcohol may result in memory loss as alcohol consumption levels prevent the formation of memories within the brain.

Alcohol can also lead to a chaotic family life. Statistics suggest that the divorce rate is higher among alcoholics, and children of alcoholics may have long-lasting emotional problems.

Alcoholism can also cause decreased work attendance and performance as well as problems in dealing with employees and co-workers

Care for Yourself

If you are a social or light alcohol user but have not abused it, the sooner you stop using alcohol, the better your chances of avoiding the serious physical and psychological effects.

The first and most important step to avoid becoming an alcohol abuser is to admit that you are drinking alcohol.

Change your lifestyle. Try to stay out of situations where alcohol is prominent within nightclubs and parties, until you can get some sort of control over your drinking. Once you have done this, order juice, club soda or coffee if you attend these parties.

If your friends insist you drink alcohol in order to socialize with them, make it clear that you are serious about stopping. If this is unacceptable to them, find new friends. Another good idea is to attend self-help group meetings for alcoholics.

A few Steps to Avoid being Alcohol Dependent

• Know your limit and stick to it.
• Drink slowly. You are apt to drink less.
• Pour less alcohol and more mixers into each drink.
• Try low alcohol wines or beer
• Alternate an alcoholic beverage with a nonalcoholic one drink
• Eat while drinking. Food helps to absorb alcohol within the system.

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