The cases of alcoholism or alcohol addiction have seen a rapid rise in the past few years. We all know that alcohol is harmful to humans, yet very few of us refrain from it. Why is it so?
One of the major reasons behind rising alcohol addiction cases is its social acceptance. It is normal to drink a glass of beer along with a pizza at a restaurant. Consuming alcohol at social gatherings, parties and on holidays is normal. This exposes people more to the substance making them prone to addiction.
Impact of Alcohol on Mind and Body
Just as any other drugs, alcohol is equally harmful to human mind and body. Focusing on its effects on mind first, overcomsumption of alcohol is likely to cause memory-related issues in a user. One of the primary effects of alcohol on the brain is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This can also be referred to alcoholic dementia. People suffering from this syndrome tend to lose their memory at an early age than expected. There are other effects too such as:
- Lack of balance
- Confusion
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
Moving on to physical impacts of alcohol, the damages can be as severe as a stroke and irregular heart beat. Further other issues likely to be observed are
- Liver inflammation
- Alcoholic hepatitis or fibrosis
- Fatty liver
- Cancer
- Weakened immune system
Social Norms and Alcohol
Even though the side effects of alcohol are deadly and known, very few people restrict its use. The reason for this can be assumed as its presence in our culture and society for long. Drinking is something we have seen since ever, probably since childhood for many of us. Despite knowing its side effects, people resfuse to view it as a problem. This negligence then leads to devastating results like:
- Social issues
- Diabetes, liver problems, heart problems, etc.
- Mental health conditions
- High blood pressure
- Road accidents and other fatal activities
- Sexual assualts
- Miscarriage
How to Identify Addiction?
Even though you try your best to hide your alcohol addiction, it still manages to surface. A few signs of addiction to look our for are
- Hiding your alcohol use
- Frequent blackouts
- Engaging in risky activities
- Neglecting responsibilities
If you observe these or other suspicious behaviors, be sure to consult a professional. You can visit Mallard Lake Detox Center in Dallas, Texas for expert addiction treatment advice. Contact us now to schedule an appointment.