Alcohol is a dangerous and well-known drug that people consume in beverages. It is a sedative component with high psychoactive and depressant properties. Excessive drinking of alcohol can harm a person’s mind, body and spirit.
Everyone knows that consuming alcohol is harmful. Due to its addictive properties, an attempt to stop failed most of the consumers. Socialization and emotional distress are the main reasons why people start drinking which eventually leads to addiction and throw themselves in trouble on the latter.
In today’s blog, we will look at the various harmful effects of alcohol on our mind, body, and spirit. We will also discover practical yet effective ways on how to deal with alcohol addiction and how we can maintain sobriety after quitting. Let’s say no to alcohol!
Is It Bad to Drink Alcohol?
Everything comes with an end line, and so does the alcohol! If you drink it with caution, you can have some benefits from it. Alcohol can be both medicine and poison. According to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, drinking alcohol in moderation can lower your risk of having a heart attack. It can also benefit our circulatory system and help us avoid type 2 diabetes and gallstones. The effect of alcohol is determined by the dose and the individual’s health.
How Much Alcohol Can I Drink in Moderation?
Drinking in moderation means that you are not doing it excessively. It is enough to consume three units of alcohol for men and two units of alcohol for women per day.
But how much is that exactly? 10 ml of pure alcohol is 1 unit. It means men can have 30 ml and women can have 20 ml of pure alcohol per day. However, you are advised not to exceed 25 ml of alcohol consumption in a single day. Moderate drinking doesn’t cause any long-term health issues. Still, factors such as weak genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise, etc., can cause you harm even with moderate quantity. So, it is advised not to drink alcohol daily.
Types of Alcohol and Which One We Can Consume?
Alcohol is not a single chemical component. It is a mixture that can be highly toxic on excess use. Here are four main types of alcohol:
Methanol or Methyl Alcohol
- Chemical formula – CH3-OH
- Use – Methanol can be used in industrial products like antifreeze, etc.
- Effect on Humans – It is highly toxic and may cause major health risks like blindness, organ damage, and even death
Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol
- Chemical formula – C2-H5-OH
- Use – In human consumable Alcoholic Beverages
- Effect on Humans – We can consume it but only in moderate quantity
Isopropanol or Isopropyl Alcohol
- Chemical formula – C3-H8-O
- Use – Commonly used in rubbing alcohol, disinfectants, and cleaning products
- Effect on Humans – Not Consumable! It can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and organ failure (in the worst cases)
Butanol or Butyl Alcohol
- Chemical formula – C4H9OH
- Use – In industrial applications
- Effect on Humans – It can result in gastrointestinal distress, central nervous system depression, and other health issues on consumption
How our body reacts to alcohol?
Alcohol is a toxic compound and can harm the inner organs; thus, our body’s protective system is always. Our stomach starts processing it, and 20% of the alcohol enters our bloodstream. All this happens quickly, which causes our brains to malfunction.
Is Alcohol Dangerous for Our Liver?
Yes, an excess amount of alcohol is dangerous for the liver. The liver processes the alcohol and removes any toxic compounds from our body. But the liver has its limits. Upon excessive alcohol consumption, it may get damaged which leads to various liver-related health issues. There are several stages of alcoholic liver disease, each with its own set of symptoms. These stages are:
- Fatty Liver – This is the earliest stage of Liver damage due to excessive alcohol consumption. Simply, it is the accumulation of fat in the liver. There are no noticeable symptoms of this stage and you can cure it by stopping alcohol consumption.
- Alcoholic Hepatitis – In alcoholic hepatitis, your liver gets inflamed, which means it’s swollen and not working well. You might notice your skin and eyes turning yellow, which is called jaundice. You could also have a sore tummy, feel like throwing up, lose your appetite, get really tired, and have a fever. If it’s really bad, it can be dangerous and needs urgent help from a doctor.
- Cirrhosis – It is the most serious stage of alcoholic liver disease. Signs of Cirrhosis can be feeling very tired, weak muscles, a sore tummy, and a swollen belly or legs. Severe cases can also face little red blood vessels on the skin that look like spider webs, easily getting bruises, and feeling confused. If it gets really bad, cirrhosis can lead to liver failure, which can be deadly.
What Are the Signs that You Need to Stop Drinking?
Alcohol is like a slow poison and will not kill immediately after drinking. However, if you continue it for long and drink excessively, you may start experiencing some serious health issues. Here are the indications that you need to stop drinking:
- Repeated blackouts after drinking
- Trouble sleeping without drinking
- Lost interest in your favorite activities
- Separated yourself from everyone except alcoholic people
- Not being able to work or study properly
- Faced legal issues like being arrested for drinking and driving
- Having severe physical or mental health problems related to your drinking
- Feeling tired all the time
- Unnecessary emotional breakdowns
Moderate drinking can turn into addiction and you won’t even notice it. If your body is showing any of these signs, you must STOP drinking any further. Remember that once you are addicted to alcohol, the way back is very difficult. So be cautious!
Other Effects Of Excessive Alcohol Consumption:
Short-Time Effects
These effects are not deadly but can lead to other serious health issues over time. The short-time effects of alcohol are:
- Impaired Judgment
- Slurred Speech
- Lack of Coordination
- Memory Impairment
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Flushed Skin and Warm Sensation
- Slowed Reaction Time
- Mood Swings
- Reduced Inhibitions
- Overconfidence
- Drowsiness and Fatigue
- Hangover
- Blackouts
Long-Time Effects
Drinking an excess amount of alcohol can harm your body and mind, resulting in severe health issues. The negative long-term effects of alcohol are drastic; that’s why it is considered a bad beverage. The long-term effects of alcohol are:
- Liver Damage
- Cardiovascular Issues
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- Neurological Effects
- Mental Health Consequences
- Weakening of the Immune System
- Cancer Risk
- Social and Economic Consequences
- Physical Dependence and Withdrawal Problems
- Organ Damage
- DEATH Upon Continuous Overdoses
How To Quit Drinking Alcohol?
Although there is no one-fit-all strategy to quit drinking, you can try different ways to end this addiction. Let’s discuss some practical ways that can help you stop your alcohol addiction:
Self-Assessment and Commitment
It is an effective way to stop drinking, but it needs high-level commitment. Try to develop new hobbies and set clear goals that contain quitting alcohol. Remember your reasons to stop drinking and keep yourself busy.
Remove Triggers
It is common among the current generation that we consume alcohol for fun or to forget painful memories. Avoid people, places, or memories that trigger your desire to drink alcohol. Throw away all the alcohol in your home and find alternate ways to deal with stress.
Create a Supportive Environment
Talk to your friends and family and ask them to support you in your lows or whenever you feel demotivated. Surround yourself with positive influences and remove toxicity from your environment.
Assistance From Your Doctor
Talk to your doctor about your addiction and ask them for help. They may give medications that can help you reduce alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Exercise Regularly
Don’t forget to train your mind and body. Do some exercise and yoga to strengthen your overall well-being. You can achieve anything if you have a strong body and mindset.
Counseling and Therapy
If nothing works for you, you can try behavioral and individual therapies. It will help your therapist to understand the underlying cause of addiction and make better plans to quit it.
Track Your Progress
Track your progress along the way and make changes in your plans. Reward yourself positively upon successfully reducing the addiction. Celebrate milestones and keep the motivation high.
Take Your Time
Always remember that this addiction was not developed overnight. Never quit drinking instantly, or you will face severe withdrawal symptoms like tremors, anxiety, sweating, and seizures. So be patient and stick to your strategy.
How to Maintain Sobriety After Quitting Alcohol?
In order to maintain sobriety, you must be ready to make some positive changes in your life. Build a strong support network and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced nutrition can help you stay on track. Identify and avoid triggers that might tempt you to drink at any cost. You can also seek professional help or join support groups for guidance and motivation. Engage in mindfulness and spiritual activities to heal deeply. Keep yourself busy, and don’t let anything draw your attention toward drinking.
Conclusion:
Alcohol can impact your overall well-being drastically. You may start it for being social, but it will become an addiction soon. You must identify its signs and take quick action to quit this addiction. You will face a lot of physical and mental challenges during your journey to quit drinking.
With proper support and a good lifestyle, you can make it possible. Getting help from professionals is not bad or something to be ashamed of. It shows your determination to quit alcohol. So take control of your life and achieve sobriety for a better lifestyle.