Consuming alcohol is normalized in the United States and many parts of the world. However, while it can be enjoyable to enjoy a relaxing beer or glass of wine, especially in social situations, there are risks associated with drinking that have to be kept in mind.
If alcohol consumption becomes too frequent or you’re drinking large amounts, then you may end up abusing the product, which can lead to significant mental and physical problems, as well as have a big impact on your overall lifestyle.
If you feel that you may be in need of alcohol treatment from a professional addiction treatment center, then know that you’re not alone. It’s an issue that affects millions of Americans. It’s important to keep in mind that there are things you can do that’ll put you on the road to recovery, including getting in touch with the Robert Alexander Center for Recovery.
On this page, you’ll learn all about alcohol abuse and the signs that you may need to seek treatment from an alcohol rehab center.
Alcohol Dependence
One of the most prominent risks of alcohol abuse is the development of alcohol dependence. This type of behavior can be problematic as it seems to be beyond the control of the user, who is caught in a negative cycle loop; they gain pleasure from the consumption of alcohol, but then become dependent on the drug to feel happiness.
All the while, they’re pushing themselves deeper into problematic behavior that has real-world consequences.
If you’re spending a lot of time thinking about when you can next have an alcoholic beverage, then it’ll be best to get in touch with a drug rehab clinic so you can receive addiction treatment.
Impacts on the Mind
You’ll know how alcohol affects your mind when you consume a large amount in a short amount of time (say, a single night). What’s less widely known is how consistent alcohol consumption can impact the mind over a long period.
The heavier a person drinks, the more likely it is that they’ll have such issues as a slowing down of their reflexes, slurred speech, emotional volatility, and difficulty controlling their impulses.
Physical Impacts
Heavy alcohol consumption can have a significant and widespread detrimental impact on the body. Indeed, there’s not really a part of the body that isn’t affected by alcohol in some way. The two most common body parts that alcohol affects are the heart and the liver. The liver is particularly vulnerable since it’s the liver’s job to process the toxic side of alcohol.
If there’s too much alcohol in your system, then it can’t do its job properly. People who consume large amounts of alcohol are much more likely to have liver diseases versus moderate drinkers.
Cancer Risk
There has been extensive research that suggests — or more or less confirms — that there’s a direct correlation between drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and developing cancer. By seeking drug treatment, you’ll be investing in your future health, ensuring that you keep your risk of developing down to the minimum.
Mental Health Issues
Many people focus on the physical impacts of drinking too much alcohol. But it’s worth keeping in mind that alcohol can have as much of an impact on a person’s mental health, too. Alcohol is a depressant, which induces a low mood.
Additionally, though some people use alcohol to self-medicate mental health issues, research suggests that alcohol actually makes these issues worse. Furthermore, the negative impacts of alcohol consumption, such as the impact it can have on a person’s career, relationships, and overall lifestyle can keep their mental health down.
Seeking Treatment
It can be difficult to seek help for alcohol addiction. After all, it’s not all that often that people recognize that they need to seek help. Because alcohol consumption is so normalized, many people carry on with their problematic drinking behavior because they don’t recognize that they’re doing anything wrong.
But if your drinking is beginning to impact your career or relationships, you’re hiding your drinking, or you can feel that it’s impacting your mental or physical well-being, then it’ll be time to seek help.
Contact the Robert Alexander Center for Recovery
You don’t need to overcome your alcohol addiction alone. Here at the Robert Alexander Center for Recovery, we work with our patients to develop a treatment solution that works for them. We’ll be with you every step of the way, from your first consultation through to the beginning of your new life, free of alcohol dependency.
