Alcohol has been known to have antidepressant properties and often takes the form of addiction in people, when abused. Not many people realize that the drink that alters their mind for some time can have lifelong drastic effects on their health and mind. It is basically consumed for the effects it has on the central nervous system of the body. It makes the person feel relaxed and reduces inhibitions.
The problems with such beverages can be categorized as short term or long term depending upon the period for which the substance was consumed. It is important to have awareness on the effects of alcoholism in order to prevent complications like organ damage, mental problems and other health problems. Before we proceed further elaborating the impacts of this problem, let’s take a look at some reports.
Alcohol Facts
A standard drink contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol that is quite high as per the standard norms. Also, the problem of underage drinking has become one of the greatest health concerns around the world. According to reports on alcohol awareness facts in Minnesota, approximately 10 million children indulge in alcoholism every year.
Young people are the largest consumers of beer, whisky, cider and wine after tobacco and illicit drugs. In the United States, more than 200,000 students are reported to develop alcohol-related health problem every year, out of which approximately 2.0 percent of students try to commit suicide.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, more than 5000 people under the age of 21 die due to alcohol. Hundreds of people get injured in accidents, burns and falls. As per the reports in 2011, around 1,900 deaths took place from road rash. 1600 homicides and 300 suicides have been reported as an effect of alcohol dependency.
Short-term effects
The short term consequences are the ones that the drinker feels instantly after taking the drinks. These effects are usually stimulating, leading to actions like reduced inhibitions, talkativeness, instant desire for sex, mood swings, stuttering, loss of coordination, etc. The actions depend upon the quantity of the substance taken at a particular time. However, large amounts of quantity in a short period of time can even lead to blackouts, vomiting, depression, loss of memory and even coma.
Long-term effects
Long term problems with alcohol are far worse than short term effects. Long term effects can lead to organ damage, cardiovascular problems, blood pressure and several types of cancers. According to medical research and studies on this type of beverages, it has been proven that prolonged alcohol abuse can lead to cirrhosis of the liver that can be fatal for an individual.
More and more college going students has started indulging in drinking due to easy accessibility. The consequences of underage drinking have affected almost all college campuses, communities, and students.
Treatment and Counseling
If you’re willing to get rid of your addiction, the first step should be getting in touch with a good doctor. Nowadays, there are a number of rehabilitation centers spread worldwide to provide treatments and guidance to people suffering from the effects of alcoholism. The treatment designed of alcohol addiction helps improve the overall quality of life with regular monitoring and counseling sessions.
It is imperative to choose reliable and accredited alcohol rehab for better results. Make sure you choose only a reputed alcohol rehab to ensure better facilities and effective results. A good rehab center should have a team of experienced and efficient doctors that can help you come out of the trauma of alcohol detoxification in a gradual way. Doctors and therapists must be able to provide you with counseling and assistance to help you cope up with the difficult phase in a smooth way.
The alcohol awareness sessions make an individual aware of the long-term problems with excessive drinking. Most treatment options focus on providing effective resources to help you get rid of your drinking problems. These resources can include discussion therapies, exercises and counseling session from expert psychologists. At the end of the treatment you will feel a lot of difference in your alcohol consuming habits. The main objective is to make the person enough aware about the consequences for him to realize and leave the habit.
For additional information check our article on how to stop drinking with the full list of currently available treatment options.
