Alcohol can seem like an innocent, simple type of way to relax after a long day at work. It may seem like the type of drink you can have without worrying about its impact. Yet, drinking too much or too often can lead to alcohol use disorder or alcoholism. Therefore, the biological effects of alcoholism can be devastating for many people. You can stop them from impacting you by calling Crestview Recovery for help. It is important to learn about the effects of alcoholism so you can be more aware of how it affects your mind and body.
Effects of Alcoholism
Drinking too much in one sitting or drinking consistently over a period of time can lead to alcohol use disorder and possibly the need for alcohol addiction rehab down the road. Alcohol is a chemical that your body cannot metabolize easily. Rather, the liver and kidneys have to work to flush it from your system. The problem is this takes time to happen. Therefore, the more you take in, the harder it is for your body to catch up and keep your bloodstream clean. Over time, the chemicals back up into your body, and the biological effects of alcoholism become more prominent. Take a look at some of the most common effects of alcoholism on your body.
Impact on the Brain
One of the most profound biological effects of alcoholism is on the brain. It changes the way the neurotransmitters in the brain function. These communication pathways can become affected, leading to limited ability to communicate well with the rest of your body. This can create mood disorders. It also impacts movement and coordination. It is sometimes the case that significant damage occurs to the brain, which is not always reversible.
Changes to the Liver
Many people know alcoholism damages the liver. It can cause a number of high-risk and life-shortening health problems with your liver, including:
- Fatty liver
- Cirrhosis
- Fibrosis
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- And more
Impact on the Heart
The heart is also impacted by alcohol consumption. If you drink a lot at one time or you drink a small amount most days of the week, it can cause changes to the way the heart functions and its physical makeup. This includes cardiomyopathy, a diminished ability for the heart to pump, arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, and strokes.
In addition to this, there are other potential biological effects of alcoholism, including a higher risk for developing cancer, pancreas-related health conditions, and a reduced functioning immune system.
What Can You Do?
With our men’s rehab program and women’s rehab program, you can be empowered to get the help you need to overcome your addiction. We offer a range of treatment options, including an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and partial hospitalization program (PHP) that can help the addiction to allow your body to heal. The sooner you react, the less likely any of these biological effects of alcoholism will limit your life or your health for years to come.
Call Crestview Recovery
When you are experiencing any of the biological effects of alcoholism, that means your body needs help. It means toxicity is present. You can do something about it right now to stop and treat the addiction. At Crestview Recovery, we empower men and women facing addiction to heal and recover. We create a treatment plan that works for you. This may include services such as individual therapy for drug and alcohol addiction, group therapy, and a family therapy program. Contact our compassionate counselors today at 866.262.0531 so you can get the help you need.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
