Alcohol slows down the brain since it is a CNS depressant. Short-term consequences include slurred speech, coordination difficulty, drowsiness, distortion of senses and perception, loss of consciousness, reduced inhibitions, and problems with memory. Several factors influence how soon and how much alcohol one experiences short-term side effects, including weight, gender, and whether or not they’ve eaten before drinking. These factors influence how the body metabolizes alcohol. Women are more susceptible to side effects since they are more likely to be underweight. As a result, women digest alcohol at a slower rate than males, even if they consume the same amount of the beverage.
Long-term alcohol usage and abuse can have detrimental effects on one’s well-being. There are more than 200 diseases and health disorders that have been connected to the chemical. Alcohol can induce liver cirrhosis, cancer, unintended harm (to oneself or others), and addiction. Aside from short-term effects on mood and energy,
- Liver disease
- Blood pressure that is too high
- coronary artery disease
- Ulcerative colitis of the stomach
- Pancreatitis
- Damage to the brain and nervous system
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Dementia
Becoming Aware of Your Drinking Habits
Almost 70% of adults in the United States reported having had a drink in the prior year in 2019. Alcohol is so readily available that it can be difficult to distinguish between casual consumption and abuse. Even while no amount of alcohol is safe, some drinking habits can reduce the risk of health complications and the development of an AUD.
It is advised that those of the legal drinking age use moderation. In the United States, one standard drink per day for women and two standard drinks per day is considered moderate. The dangers of excessive drinking are greater when compared to moderate drinking. Drinking heavily is regarded as three or more drinks in a day for women and four or more drinks in a day for men. 8 drinks per week for women, and 15 for men, is another way to describe this drinking trend.
Binge drinking is another dangerous practice of drinking that entails bringing a drinker’s blood alcohol content (BAC) to or above.
08 g/dl. For women, this can be accomplished by downing four or more alcoholic beverages within two hours. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in two hours for men. It’s very uncommon for college students to engage in this behavior, but there’s a chance it might have fatal consequences or lead to alcohol addiction.
Addiction To Alcohol
An alcoholic’s cravings for alcohol and inability to stop drinking despite the negative consequences are the hallmarks of alcoholism, also known as alcohol addiction.
Alcoholism is a progressive disease, and as a result, the negative effects and increased risk of health problems will only worsen with time. As a result, it is easier to treat AUD in its early stages. Treatment begins with a detoxification process that can create unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Headache, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and perspiration are a few of the most common symptoms. After the final alcoholic beverage is consumed, these symptoms usually fade within 48 hours. Five percent of those who go through alcohol withdrawal will have delirium tremens, with severe hallucinations and delusions. Medical specialists can assist in making the detox procedure as safe as possible by completing it in a facility.
Inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation should continue after detoxification. These programs can treat addiction and its core causes. Participating in aftercare services, including support groups and therapy, can minimize the probability of recurrence after recovery.