No drug is safe to abuse. Case in point is alcohol. People often think that it’s safe because you can buy it in grocery stores. However, when you start to look at short and long-term alcohol side effects, you see just how dangerous the drug can be.
Short-Term Alcohol Side Effects
Drinking too much comes with its fair share of short-term alcohol side effects. The drug impacts vision, coordination, and—perhaps most importantly—judgement. Perception also changes. Individuals react more slowly to stimuli, which makes it dangerous to operate vehicles or machinery after drinking.
Many people who abuse alcohol wake up with a painful headache the next morning and symptoms of dehydration. Nausea and vomiting are also common.
Long-Term Alcohol Side Effects
For some, the short-term effects of alcohol abuse are enough to put them off the drug. Others, however, keep drinking. One of the long-term alcohol side effects is the gradual development of a tolerance to the drug. While some people might say that you hold your liquor well, that’s not a compliment. It just means that you’re on the slippery slope to developing an alcohol use disorder.
If drinking begins to become a big part of your life, you may start engaging in risky behaviors. They can include unprotected sex or driving under the influence. Over time, you focus more on drinking than eating. You may develop a vitamin B1 deficiency.
The constant influx of alcohol’s chemicals puts you at risk for developing ulcers. Some people also begin to suffer from liver disease and heart-related conditions. Some cancers of the mouth and esophagus find their origins in alcohol abuse.
Ending an Addiction and Undoing Many of the Long-Term Side Effects
Ending your alcohol dependency isn’t something you can do on your own. In fact, you need the help of experts in the field of addiction counseling. For example, therapists incorporate modalities in your treatment that could include:
- Detoxification for a safe physical withdrawal from drinking alcohol
- Individual therapy as a means of exploring your reasons for drinking and then developing healthier coping mechanisms
- Dual diagnosis assessment and treatment for those people who have co-occurring mental health disorders
- Group therapy sessions that encourage peer relationship-building and communal learning
- Relapse prevention strategy planning for long-term sobriety
Discover Life Beyond Alcohol Addiction
While short-term alcohol side effects might not scare you, the long-term effects should. Your health gradually deteriorates. Functioning in society, holding down a job, continuing education, or having relationships gets tough. You may lose some or all of them.
However, you don’t have to go down this road. Ashley Addiction Treatment in Havre de Grace, Maryland is ready to help you start healing. Call 866-313-6310 today to begin overcoming alcohol side effects and learn more about Maryland rehabilitation centers.