Alcohol addiction has many effects on a person, including mental and physical health. It can cause a person to lose their ability to think clearly and make harmful decisions. It can be difficult to realize that you are struggling with an alcohol use disorder; however, the longer you wait to receive help, the worse the symptoms can become.
If you or a loved one require assistance, you might consider alcohol addiction treatment. Going to therapy or receiving another form of treatment will allow you to receive the proper care from a trained professional. To learn more about what Midwest Recovery Center offers, contact us at 833.627.0039.
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Addiction
It is easy to get carried away with drinking, especially during events that typically involve alcoholic beverages. Alcohol dependency can often start by just drinking on special occasions but can easily become a daily occurrence if you are not careful. Consuming too much alcohol has negative effects that are short-term, as well as lasting effects.
It is important to know the effects of drinking and be careful when consuming alcohol:
- Weakened Immune System: If you have multiple drinks a day, it is more likely that you will get sick more often than others. This could mean that you get colds or the flu frequently. Alcohol weakens the immune system, causing more prone to illnesses and infections. The symptoms may also last longer, and your body has a harder time fighting off these ailments.
- Depression: Because alcohol is a depressant, it is not surprising that someone who drinks frequently can have poor mental health. This is dangerous because an alcohol abuse disorder and a major depressive disorder can feed off of each other and worsen both disorders’ symptoms. For someone who already has a mental health disorder, it is important to limit your alcohol consumption for this reason.
- Hormonal Imbalance: Someone who drinks regularly may develop a hormonal imbalance. It can cause lower testosterone levels in men and cause irregular menstrual cycles in women. Along with that, it also affects the hormones that are linked to serotonin and dopamine, which make you happy and the hormone that affects stress.
These effects will appear in individuals at different times and at different intensities due to each person’s unique physiology. However, they are each a severely negative consequence that can be avoided.
Signs of an Alcohol Addiction
It is important to know the signs of alcohol addiction to know when you or a loved one should seek help. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, one person may show some signs while another person shows another. These signs are a few examples that may point to a disorder:
- Engaging in risky activities
- Showing up intoxicated at inappropriate times and places
- Financial issues
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Unable to complete important tasks
While there are many more signs, these are a few that might show if you are struggling with an addiction. If you or someone you know are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should strongly consider an alcohol addiction treatment for the health and safety of yourself and your loved ones.
Getting Treatment at Midwest Recovery Center
If you or a loved one are looking to live a sober life but don’t know where to start, an alcohol addiction treatment program might be the best option. At Midwest Recovery Center, we provide a safe and caring environment to get the help you need.
We have options such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), and outpatient treatment. We also have men’s and women’s rehab centers. To learn more about how we can help you, visit our website, or contact us at 833.627.0039.
