LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

Effects Of Alcohol Abuse

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The Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse Are Numerous

Alcohol can be safe in moderation, but the long-term effects of alcohol abuse are numerous.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the government defines moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

Heavy alcohol use is defined as more than three drinks a day for a woman and more than four drinks a day for a man.

Heavy alcohol use constitutes alcohol abuse, and while alcohol may be safe in moderation, abusing it leads to several long-term consequences.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse On Health

One of the long-term effects of alcohol abuse is a negative impact on a person’s health.

For example, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that over time, alcohol abuse can lead to health issues like stomach problems, loss of appetite, and nutritional deficiencies.

The long-term effects of alcohol abuse also include skin problems and loss of sexual functioning.

Alcohol abuse can damage the liver and the cardiovascular system and lead to nerve damage and memory loss.

Effects of Alcohol Abuse On the Brain

Beyond causing various health problems, the effects of alcohol abuse include damage to the brain. As a report from the National Institutes of Health explains, research shows that alcohol abuse causes shrinkage in the brain, leading to problems with learning and memory. In some cases, alcohol-related brain damage simply causes minor memory problems, but for other people, the effects of alcohol abuse can lead to serious brain damage.

For instance, alcohol abuse is associated with thiamine deficiency, which can lead to a severe brain disorder called Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome. This disorder begins with Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a condition that leads to confusion, nerve damage in areas that move the eyes, and poor muscle coordination. It then progresses to Korsakoff’s psychosis in a majority of cases, and this condition is associated with severe memory loss and difficulty walking. In cases of severe alcoholism, the long-term effects of alcohol use can be seriously debilitating.

Another one of the long-term effects of alcohol abuse is problems with mental health. Per the National Institutes of Health, since alcohol affects the functioning of the brain, it can have negative effects on brain chemicals and lead to mental health conditions. For example, alcohol has a depressant effect on the nervous system and is associated with depression. Alcohol abuse is also linked to anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder.

In some cases, alcohol abuse itself may not lead to a mental health problem but could be a symptom of mental illness. For instance, a person who struggles with anxiety or depression may abuse alcohol in order to cope. On the other hand, sometimes alcohol abuse itself does cause negative mental health symptoms, which may resolve after a person stops drinking. Alcohol abuse can lead to mental health problems, and for people who already have a mental illness, the long-term effects of alcohol abuse can make the mental health problem even worse.

Addiction Is One Of The Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse

In addition to negative effects on health and brain functioning, one of the long-term effects of alcohol abuse is addiction. As the National Institutes of Health reports, heavy drinking is associated with the development of an alcohol use disorder, the clinical term for an alcohol addiction.

An alcohol use disorder includes symptoms such as drinking larger amounts of alcohol than intended, being unable to cut back on drinking, and spending significant amounts of time consuming alcohol. A person with an alcohol use disorder will also continue to drink, even when it causes serious negative consequences, such as health problems, difficulty with fulfilling duties at work, or conflict in important relationships.

Given these symptoms of an alcohol use disorder, other long-term effects of alcohol abuse include problems at work, loss of important relationships, and could even lead to the loss of a job.

Receiving Treatment For Alcohol Abuse

Given the fact that the long-term effects of alcohol abuse can be significant, it is important to seek treatment if you develop an alcohol addiction. If you find that you are unable to stop or control your drinking, even when it causes serious consequences, you are likely in need of professional intervention for alcohol addiction.

An alcohol rehab center will conduct a thorough assessment of your alcohol abuse and help you to determine the best treatment for your unique situation. Treatment will likely begin with detox to help you cope with alcohol withdrawal. After completing detox, you can transition to either an inpatient or an outpatient alcohol rehab to continue on your journey toward recovery.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Since mental health problems are one of the long-term effects of alcohol abuse, you may need to consider seeking treatment at a dual diagnosis treatment center. Dual diagnosis is a term that is used to describe a person who has both an addiction, such as an alcohol use disorder, and a mental health condition, such as depression. A dual diagnosis treatment center is qualified to treat both addiction and mental illness, which is important if you are dually diagnosed. For example, if you are using alcohol to cope with symptoms of anxiety, it is critical that you receive treatment for anxiety, as failure to cope with anxiety can make it difficult to stop drinking.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment In California

If you are seeking treatment for the long-term effects of alcohol abuse, Resurgence California is located in Orange County, and we are happy to offer our services to those in surrounding areas as well. Resurgence is a dual-diagnosis treatment center, meaning we are qualified to treat both an alcohol addiction and a mental health condition.

We perform a thorough psychological evaluation of every patient who walks through our door, and we provide an individualized treatment plan to meet each person’s unique needs. Resurgence offers a detox program for alcohol abuse, where you will receive support, care, and medication to remain as safe and as comfortable as possible as your body rids itself of alcohol.

We also provide both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs, and our inpatient treatment is offered in a home-like setting, where you will participate in group therapy, individual counseling, educational workshops, and activities such as physical exercise, yoga, and spiritual outings.

Paying For Treatment At Resurgence

Once you decide that it is time to seek dual-diagnosis treatment for alcoholism, you have to determine how you will cover the cost of rehab.

At Resurgence we make the process easy with our free insurance verification program.

Give us a call or fill out a brief form on our website and a member of our team will reach out to discuss what services your insurance provider covers and how much you can expect to pay for treatment.

Once you begin alcohol rehab, we will communicate with your insurance provider for you to ensure that your services are covered properly.

If you do not have insurance, we are happy to accept cash payment. Call us today to discuss your options.