Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/alcohol-bar-black-background-close-up-602750/
We all know that excessive alcohol and not only can lead to many physical and psychological issues. According to a survey in 2017, 15 million Americans had an alcohol disorder, with an estimation of 1.1 million with ages under 12. No matter if you consider yourself an alcoholic or a social drinker, there are some physical and psychological consequences due to excessive drinking. So, what are the effects of alcohol on the body and mind? Read further to find out.
Short-term effects of alcohol
A person doesn’t have to abuse alcohol to experience adverse effects on the mind and body. The liver is the one that will suffer the most because of excessive drinking. The liver can absorb one average drink per hour. But this will depend on many factors, including age, weight, gender, and how well your liver is functioning. Consuming more than one drink per hour can lead to negative effects on your overall health. The effects of alcohol can vary from mild to severe symptoms. Short-term effects of alcohol can include:
- Low self-esteem
- Bad social judgment
- Loss of focus
- Loss of coordination
- Behavioral changes
- Increased blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Passing out
Check out Oro House Blog and learn how to manage your alcohol dependence.
Long-term effects of excessive drinking
Excessive drinking can cause chronic pain and mental health issues over time. Heavy drinking can contribute to liver damage, different types of illnesses, and even cancer. Alcohol can impact your body in many ways. Controlling it can be challenging – while drinking a glass of wine at dinner isn’t damaging, the increasing effects of alcohol can do you harm over time. Some long-term effects of excessive drinking can include:
- Blackouts
- Behavioral changes
- Addiction
- Cancer
- Fatigue
- Liver damage
- Heart damage
- Hallucinations
- Unclear speech
- Muscle cramps
- Sexual dysfunction
- Stomach stress
- Diabetes
- Numbness
- Infertility
- Osteoporosis
An average drink cannot harm overall health, but if this habit grows significantly over time, you’re going to have a hard time quitting. It can cause irregularities in your digestive system, cause inflammation, and other serious complications. Long-term alcohol use can interfere with your organs and increase the risk of chronic liver illness. Liver affections can lead to a buildup of toxins, which can become increasingly damaging, giving you a hard time removing them from your body.
Signs of alcohol poisoning
Consuming an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period, especially for teenagers as young as 16 years old, is a hazardous habit that can cause physical and mental harm. IT is also called binge drinking and can lead to alcohol poisoning. The signs of alcohol poisoning can include:
- Pale skin
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Irregular breathing
- Seizures
- Low body temperature
- Unconsciousness
- Cyanosis (blue skin)
If you or someone else is suffering any of the effects of alcohol abuse on the body, it’s vital to ask for help. Whether you call 911 or seek help at a rehab clinic, make sure you take measures now. Alcohol poisoning can cause severe brain damage or even cause death. For further information, ask a specialist about treatment.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
