There are many reasons why people turn to alcohol. For some alcohol is a supplement for celebration while others consume alcohol for more destructive reasons. Either way, alcohol, when consumed in heavy quantities, can result in some pretty hazardous consequences.
Aside from the many casualties caused by drinking and driving, alcohol can have a severe impact on your health. These impacts can vary in both physical and mental. Consider some of the risks of heavily consumed alcohol:
Physical Damage
It has been noted that light to moderate drinking can be good for the heart; however, when someone has consumed too much alcohol, the results can be deadly. People who are considered heavy drinkers are at risk of many things. Alcohol has a great impact on the condition of the liver and when a heavy drinker continues to partake in this type of destruction they may run the risk of liver disease.
Not only are they more likely to have a disease of the liver, but they might also experience other repercussions of the liver such as fatty liver or steatosis, fibrosis, and even cirrhosis.
The heart experiences side effects as well. Drinking for an extended period of time or drinking too much at once can result in an irregular heartbeat, stroke, and high blood pressure.
In addition to the negative effects that alcohol has on the heart, the brain is also subject to damage. We’re aware that when consuming alcohol the brain become altered, but the brain is susceptible to blocked pathways that can affect communication, how the brain looks, and even works.
Mental
Not only is the brain physically hindered, but too much alcohol can lead to severe addiction. Alcoholism is a deadly disease and is often paired with depression and anxiety. These diagnoses can put someone who has become dependent to alcohol on a destructive.
For those who have used alcohol as a bandage, help is available and should be sought by those who are experience a heavy reliance on the effects of alcohol. Many people are unsure of how to find healthy ways of coping with various factors of their lives. Alcohol is coping mechanism for many people as means to help them through a difficult time; however, the dependency can be a deadly one.
If you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol, seek help before the issue worsens. A dependency of alcohol increases the chance of injury and death.
Please note that alcohol doesn’t have to be view with a negative connotation; however, like most things, too much of it can have its negative side effects. If you are a social drinker or enjoy an alcoholic beverage on occasion, consider your intake and distinguish whether it’s too much. Alcohol should be enjoyed with a responsible mindset to keep yourself and others from harm.
