Not only is alcoholism a crippling disease or disorder, it is one of society’s most prevalent problems. The compulsive, uncontrollable consumption of alcohol is the primary characteristic of alcohol abuse and dependence as well as ignoring the damage that it causes to the body. In addition to the physical effects of alcoholism, it can also cause the onset of psychological disorders. The effects of alcoholism are usually broken down into the categories of long-term and short-term.
Long-term effects
Long-term effects include alcoholic liver disease, certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and chronic pancreatitis. There is also the increased risk of central nervous system damage, diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and stroke. Basically, the long-term effects of alcoholism affect the following 5 body systems:
- cardiovascular
- digestive
- immune
- nervous
- renal
Additionally, there can be other issues such as hormone imbalance, kidney stones, and sexual dysfunction or impotence.
Short-term effects
The immediate short-term effects are the risk of fetal damage, injury, lowered inhibitions, motor function impairment, and violent behavior. The immediate effects can be euphoria, flushed appearance, impaired judgment and muscle coordination, increased self-confidence, increased sociability, and shortened attention span. However, depending on the BAC or blood alcohol content and how much alcohol is consumed in one sitting, the effects can be as severe as blackouts, cardiac arrest, and respiratory depression.
Consequences and impact of alcoholism
In the field of addiction treatment and recovery, alcoholism can impact an individual emotionally, mentally, physically, and in some cases, spiritually. However, there can also be financial, legal, and social consequences as well as. Interestingly enough, the biologic mechanisms that underlie alcoholism are still unclear. The risk factors include age, ethnic group, genetics, mental health, sex, and social environment.
Prolonged alcohol abuse not only leads to physical dependence, it leads to psychological dependence as well. Alcoholism also leads to additional substance abuse, the most common of which are benzodiazepines, medications that are effective in treating anxiety disorders, insomnia, muscle spasms, and seizures. Ironically, benzodiazepines are also used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Let our referral service help you
To find the right alcoholism rehab program can be extremely challenging, because there are numerous facilities to choose from. That is why we developed the Rehab Advisor, the internet’s premier addiction treatment referral website. We list the most successful addiction treatment and recovery programs throughout the US, so no matter where you live, we can refer you into a program in your local vicinity.
For more information about our referral site and our addiction recovery programs, fill out the form above or you can call the toll-free phone number listed above if you want to speak with one of our staff members immediately.