Physiological Effects Of Alcohol

When occasional or moderate drinking turns into a habit, the physiological effects of alcohol can be detrimental to health. Alcohol affects cognitive and bodily function and can completely mess with a person’s biochemistry. The problem can become severe and impossible to recover from without medical assistance. Finally, frequent alcohol consumption builds up to a complete dependency. At that stage, the person can’t deal with daily struggles without having a drink. In that case, rehab becomes the only life-saving solution. Various reputable Boynton Beach rehab centers provide MAT and effective alcohol rehab programs.

Ways alcohol takes a toll on your body.

Occasional drinking won’t do any harm. However, binge drinking and continuous consumption will. Moreover, high alcohol intake is the leading cause of severe health issues like liver and kidney damage, to start with. If you’ve ever wondered, “Which of the following is a physiological effect of alcohol consumption?” the answer includes impaired liver function, high blood pressure, and nervous system damage.

When physical symptoms and an attempt to self-withdraw become too much to handle, the solution is to seek an alcohol rehab Florida center. Alcohol addiction has lethal consequences if not treated on time.

Problems with brain function

Alcohol can seriously mess with cognitive processes and reasoning. Years of continuous research and monitoring show that alcohol can shrink the brain. Long-term consumption tampers with memory retention and the ability to learn. The alcohol’s physiological effects also disrupt emotional regulation, as the uplifting effects (relaxation, confidence boost) quickly wear off, after which anger and deep sadness take their place. Alcohol enhances emotional pain and further deepens mental health problems a person might have. Alcohol may not be the cause of mental health disorders, but it can boost their symptoms – psychosis, depressive episodes, anxiety issues, etc. Insomnia, slurred speech, and poor body coordination also stem from the harmful influence alcohol has on the brain.

Damaged kidneys

Prolonged alcohol abuse exhausts the kidneys and impairs their function. As a result, kidneys start to make more urine than usual, leading to dehydration. At that stage, the body fights to maintain optimal body temperature.

High blood pressure and heart problems

Alcohol is a stressor. It causes enormous cortisol spikes and narrows the vessels. It requires extra effort for the heart to pump blood through vessels, which is why irregular heartbeat is a common problem among alcohol addicts. Even occasional but heavy drinking can mess with blood flow.

Body temperature

Alcohol also interferes with body temperature. It makes a person feel warm while the body temperature drops. Chronic drinking inhibits the body’s natural ability to regulate temperature. Even on warm days, constant shaking is one of the symptoms of alcohol addiction.

Weight gain

Studies show that obesity is often associated with heavy alcohol consumption. It’s more common than not for alcohol addicts to struggle with sudden weight gain. The human body doesn’t have enzymes to metabolize alcohol. Instead, alcohol runs through the digestive system and disrupts natural hunger cues, making you hungrier than ever. As a result, the body loses its natural ability to burn fat and instead stores the extra fat.

Imbalanced hormones

Ethanol in alcoholic drinks can interfere with hormones, leading to several changes in the body. If you’re wondering, “what are the physiological effects of alcohol?” they include:

• Hindered growth and further development in teenagers.
• Reduced testosterone levels.
• Infertility for women.
• Irregular menstrual cycle.
• Impotence in men.
• Heightened risks of osteoporosis and affects bone density.
• Etc.

Weakened immune system and cancer risk factor

You’re more likely to catch a cold the day after heavy drinking. This is because the body’s natural defense mechanism becomes weaker. This is why heavy drinkers tend to get sick. Disrupted biochemistry and the extra toll on your heart and brain greatly reflect on the immune system.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the National Toxicology Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that alcohol is a carcinogenic substance and the leading cause of several types of cancer; hence, alcohol addicts have liver cancer the most.

Long-term Physiological Effects of Alcohol eventually leads to addiction

Disrupted bodily functions and adaptation to alcohol lead to physical dependence. The physiological effects of alcoholism cause the body to adjust to heavy alcohol consumption, making withdrawal symptoms uncomfortable, even excruciating.

Alcohol abuse is a severe problem millions of Americans suffer from. The statistics show staggering data, indicating that alcoholism often begins in pre-teen years. However, socio-economic issues aren’t the only factors. Even well-off families may have a family member who developed an alcohol addiction due to numerous other factors.

How alcohol addiction treatment works

A person must undergo MAT first. A patient needs to be alcohol-free before starting extensive therapy sessions. Physical and psychological alcohol dependency go hand in hand. The physiological effects of alcohol can make withdrawal challenging, so addressing both mental and physical aspects of addiction is essential. Treating them simultaneously, even after detox is completed, improves recovery outcomes. Alcohol addicts have specific triggers that may push them into relapse. Therefore, the goal is to help them handle the triggers by themselves and learn to seek help when necessary. This is why post-care therapy is essential in the initial sober period.

Aftercare is the final stage of alcohol addiction treatment. During the aftercare, a patient applies tools acquired during rehab. Thanks to a tailored relapse prevention strategy, the patient can hold themselves responsible for sobriety. Duration depends on the individual.

Check whether an insurance option you consider is accepted at your chosen treatment center

Before you decide on the insurance you qualify for, call the rehab facility and ask does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover alcohol rehab, for instance. Again, checking with the facility about what insurance coverage they accept is essential.

Psychological aspects must be treated just like the physiological effects of alcoholism

Besides treating the physiological effects of alcohol, psychological causes must also be given attention. It’s not enough to keep a patient sober, which is why a therapist has to be that person to introduce a patient to the detrimental effects of alcohol. Recovery becomes much easier when a patient realizes the severity of alcoholism and how it translates into other aspects of life. If you or your loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, contact us at Bright Futures Treatment Center! You don’t have to fight this alone.