Alcohol is a drug and can be addictive with continued use. Studies show that children who drink alcohol before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholic as adults. Alcohol remains the number one drug of choice for all age groups and is often combined with other drugs.
Alcohol is alcohol, whether it is a fancy Cosmopolitan or a tap beer. If you consume a “light” beer, does it make a difference? Not so much. Regular beers have a 5 percent alcohol content and some light beers have about a 4.2 percent alcohol content.
A “standard” drink contains 14 grams of alcohol.
If you order a glass of wine, it may not be a standard-sized drink; it may be larger.
Who should not drink alcohol:
The safe limits of drinking (for those other than people in recovery from alcoholism) are approximately:
Some people boast that they have a high capacity for alcohol. This is not a good thing, because tolerance typically rises with prolonged use, and someone who abuses alcohol may be a “high functioning” alcoholic before the inevitable physical and social consequences occur.
Alcohol affects every organ in the body. The most commonly known related disease is cirrhosis of the liver, but there are many adverse medical effects of alcohol misuse and addiction, all of which require comprehensive medical care.
Common adverse effects on the body include:
Many mental and emotional disorders can occur because of, or be exacerbated by, alcohol use. People often use alcohol to self-medicate chronic pain, stress, and other emotional problems and, over long-time misuse, more alcohol is needed for the same effects. Because the symptoms of alcohol use disorders and mental health disorders often overlap, diagnosis can be complicated. It is important to receive care for both conditions simultaneously in order to produce sustained recovery.
Common mental health conditions that are complicated by alcohol use:
That said, different body types, genders, and ages process alcohol differently. For instance, older people, even those in good health, cannot physically process alcohol the same way younger bodies do. We also know that binge drinking is epidemic on college campuses, and may result in violence such as fighting, date rape, and failure at school. When search placement for treatment, it is important to consider the variety of ways alcohol affects the individual.
Women process alcohol differently than men:
Men suffer differently than women:
Alcohol and aging:
Hangovers can be unpleasant, but this is not necessarily a learning experience for drinkers because alcohol dependency is a chronic disease. Treatment and support are needed when alcohol misuse turns to addiction.
Origins Behavioral HealthCare is dedicated to helping our patients achieve sustainable and complete recovery. We know that sobriety is possible for everyone, especially through evidence-based interventions that restore mental, physical, and spiritual health. Our fully integrated services provide cutting-edge care that enacts real, lasting change for our patients.
Today is the day you break the cycle of addiction for good – start your journey to freedom and fulfillment by calling Origins Behavioral HealthCare at 844-843-8935.
