Excessive drinking over a long period will eventually take its toll on your body. Alcohol addiction can affect your brain, heart, liver, pancreas, and immune system. Also, your risk of getting cancer is much higher. Binging can raise your heart rate and cause high blood pressure. The bottom line is that drinking too much alcohol can wear your body down and lead to terminal health problems.
However, you can reverse the effects of alcohol by getting professional help at a women’s alcohol addiction treatment center. With the right treatment, you can recover from addiction and live a life free of alcohol. If you would like to learn more about how to stop drinking, contact The Willows at Red Oak Recovery at 855.773.0614 today. We are here to help you reach your recovery goals.
The Effects of Alcohol on the Brain
The effects of alcohol addiction on the brain are both immediate and long-term. Some of the most common side effects of drinking include:
- Impaired memory
- Slowed reaction times
- Slurred speech
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking
Some of the immediate effects of alcohol are visible after only two drinks. However, drinking large amounts of alcohol for long periods can also alter brain function. Since the brain is at the heart of the central nervous system and bodily function, impaired cognition can have a domino effect that damages other systems and organs in the body.
The brain is also where alcohol addiction and dependency start. A pattern of drinking will condition the brain to become dependent on alcohol to function. As a result, you have cravings or withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. Eventually, the only way to stop is to enter an alcohol addiction rehab center.
The Effects of Alcohol on the Liver
The liver is the organ responsible for breaking down alcohol into waste that exits the body. Alcohol addiction can lead to a variety of health problems and liver inflammation. Conditions such as cirrhosis, fibrosis, alcohol hepatitis, and fatty liver can arise, causing liver damage and impaired function. While these problems are bad enough on the liver, they also affect the brain, heart, pancreas, kidney, and digestive system.
For instance, liver cirrhosis can damage the brain, causing hepatic encephalopathy, a potentially fatal brain disorder. This condition can alter your personality, mood, appetite, and sleep patterns. You may also suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. Keep in mind that these problems stem from liver damage, not necessarily damage directly to the brain. So, whatever happens to the liver can potentially happen to the brain and other organs.
The Effects of Alcohol on the Heart
A person going through alcohol detox at a substance abuse treatment center may experience withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens, high blood pressure, or an elevated heart rate. These symptoms happen as a direct result of alcohol’s effects on the heart. Ongoing alcohol consumption can increase your risk of heart problems such as:
- Increased heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Weakened heart muscles
- Blood clotting
- Heart disease
The longer you consume alcohol, the higher your risk of getting heart disease or suffering from a heart attack, especially as you get older. Your heart can only handle so much alcohol intake in a single sitting. If you are dependent on alcohol, you can seek addiction therapy services before alcohol does long-term damage to your heart.
Get Help with Addiction at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery
If you have an alcohol addiction, now is the time to get professional help before it is too late. The Willows at Red Oak Recovery is here to help you overcome your condition. We provide a comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment program that promotes a lasting recovery. Our services include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Yoga therapy
- Experiential therapy
Contact The Willows at Red Oak Recovery at 855.773.0614 to get started with your treatment program today.
