It is no secret that alcohol is bad for you and your body, but many people do not understand just how damaging it can be. Drinking excessively can lead to long-term, sometimes irreparable effects on a person, which is why you should stay away from it. It is important to learn about alcohol and its negative effects, and what better time to do it than Alcohol Awareness Month? Here are just a few of the ways alcohol is slowly affecting your body.
- Alcohol interferes with your brain activity, the central hub of your entire body. Drinking excessively impedes the communication flowing through your brain, which can affect your concentration, your coordination and your behavior.
- Your liver, which possesses enzymes to break down the alcohol, is especially susceptible to alcohol damage after excessive consumption. Drinking too heavily can cause steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Although the liver is designed to heal itself, too much alcohol can eventually damage it beyond repair.
- Your immune system starts to suffer after too much alcohol makes its way into your body. Alcohol weakens your overall immunity, leaving your body vulnerable to diseases. Chronic drinkers are often much sicker than those who do not drink, and even drinking on a single occasion can have negative effects on your immune system.
- Alcohol takes a major toll on your heart as well. The more you drink, the higher the risk for cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, strokes, high blood pressure and multiple other heart-related diseases. Too much drinking can also trigger an irregular heartbeat, which could lead to a heart attack.
- Finally, alcohol can increase your likelihood of developing several types of cancer in various areas of your body such as your mouth, throat and liver.
There are countless ways that alcohol can negatively affect your body and your mind, but it is understandable that many people cannot simply quit drinking. The best option is to go through a professional detox program. Fighting alcohol dependency can also affect your body in a negative way, so it is wise to seek professional help to assist you with the journey. The ultimate goal is to completely end your addiction with as little damage to your body as possible, and the best way to achieve this is with a caring and compassionate detox and counseling program. You too can start the healing process today, call the Above It All team to learn more about our alcohol rehab.
[cta] What other negative effects have you seen or experienced due to alcohol? Let us know below. [/cta]