Benefits of Quitting Alcohol: Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment
Alcohol is the most popular drug used by people all over the world. Many people are not aware of how hazardous it can be to their health. No other intoxicating substance has caused as much damage worldwide as alcohol has, no matter whether you are looking at chronic conditions or accidents directly resulting from the consumption of alcohol.
In the US alone, alcohol kills more than 1 million people every year according to a study from 2010. According to this study, one in every ten deaths among working-age adults relates to chronic heavy drinking!
In addition, due to alcohol-related accidents and disorders such as heart disease or liver cirrhosis, there are millions of Americans who live with the painful consequences of alcohol on a daily basis.
In Europe, about 15% or almost 200 million people drink more than what is medically advisable according to WHO’s European Status Report on Alcohol and Health from 2014. In Germany about one in five adults drink excessively with harmful consequences for their health, says Ulrich John, head of addiction psychiatry at the University of Mainz.
In the US, nearly 17 million adults still suffer from alcohol dependence or abuse according to figures from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in Rockville, Maryland.
Alcohol is not just hazardous for people’s health; it can also put a heavy burden on society: in Europe alone, alcohol causes more than half a million deaths and costs around €125 billion annually.
This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) has included alcohol on its list of addictive substances that pose a serious danger to people and society and even ranked it as the most dangerous drug on this list.
The Dangers of Alcohol for your Health:
Alcohol is not just harmful to your health; it can also be lethal. If you drink huge quantities of alcohol over a long period of time, the following conditions may result:
1. Cirrhosis of the liver
2. Mouth or throat cancer
3. Breast cancer in women who have hormone-sensitive breast tumors (i.e., tumors that are stimulated by female hormones)
4. Heart disease and heart failure
5. High blood pressure, stroke, and a variety of other cardiovascular diseases
6. Gastritis or stomach ulcers
7. Pancreatitis (in severe cases)
8. Dementia in severe cases, also called alcohol-induced persisting dementia
9. Suicidal behavior caused by alcohol intoxication
10. Quadriplegia
11. Severe malnutrition due to the lack of vitamins and minerals that the body requires for normal functions
12. Impaired immune defense because alcohol damages white blood cells, which are essential to our body’s immune system.
13. Infertility or impotency men (in; women can become infertile as a result of drinking, too)
14. Fetal alcohol syndrome
15. Loss of memory and other intellectual abilities that leads to the inability to work and support oneself
16. Depression
17. Seizures, shaking, and tremors
18. Binge drinking (alcohol poisoning) may lead to coma or death if not treated immediately by emergency medical staff
19. Alcoholic liver disease can result in jaundice or liver failure that requires transplantation or leads to death if untreated
20. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS)
21. Delirium tremens (DTs), the most severe form of withdrawal symptoms
22. The combination of alcohol and certain medications can be lethal; in this case, one should abstain from drinking altogether or at least check with a knowledgeable physician to see if it is safe
23. Alcohol abuse or alcoholism can lead to brain damage, including Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), dementia, and irreversible brain damage
The dangers of alcohol for society:
Alcohol is involved in many crimes, accidents, and acts of violence each year. Alcoholism also encourages the spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS or hepatitis.
If all this were not enough, the social consequences of alcohol consumption are also significant: this includes violence against women or sexual assault (alcohol lowers people’s inhibitions and increases their aggressiveness), traffic accidents that result in death, imprisonment due to violent acts under the influence of alcohol, crime caused by a lack of financial resources for buying alcohol, and family problems related to alcoholism.
The dangers of alcohol for unborn children:
Do not drink any alcohol when you are pregnant! If you do, your child may develop fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is the most severe form of health consequence for unborn children.
As a result of FAS, children often suffer from growth retardation, facial disfigurement, and intellectual deficits. Many of these children die in childhood or get diseases that shorten their lives significantly.
Health Benefits of Quitting alcohol:
If you are someone who seriously thinks about quitting alcohol, here are some good reasons for you to do so.
1. Better Sleep:
There will be a drastic change in your sleep cycle as soon as you stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol is quite famous for disrupting the normal sleep schedule and it also robs you of getting quality sleep, which can seriously affect your day-to-day activities.
2. Increased Energy:
There are plenty of other reasons for you to quit alcohol, but this is one reason that can make you do it instantly. Alcohol usually lowers the blood sugar level and gives you a feeling of drowsiness.
It results in dehydrating effects on your body, which makes you feel lethargic all the time. Once you have given up alcohol, you will start feeling more energized and enthusiastic about your day-to-day activities.
3. Weight Loss:
Alcohol contains a lot of calories that are not burnt by your body but get stored instead in the form of fat deposits in the body. This makes it easy for people to gain weight over a period of time.
Alcohol also contains carbohydrates which are again converted into glucose by the liver and released into your bloodstream, resulting in increased blood sugar levels. Once you have given up alcohol, it will be easy to lose those extra pounds that you were so desperately trying to shed off for so long.
4. Better Overall Health:
Alcohol contains a lot of harmful toxins which have negative effects on overall health. It can also lead to certain cancer-related diseases, heart diseases, and even liver damage. Once you have given up alcohol, your body will become clean from within and it is certainly going to make you healthier than ever before.
5. Improved Concentration:
Alcohol is known to cause toxicity in the brain tissue which interferes with concentration levels. If you are trying to give up alcohol, then it will certainly help you improve your concentration and focus on whatever task is at hand.
6. Decreased Risk of Cancer:
Alcohol contains a lot of carcinogens which may lead to different types of cancer in the long run, especially breast and liver cancer. Giving up alcohol will certainly reduce your risk of developing cancer over a period of time.
7. Improved Liver Functioning:
There are two main functions of your liver- breaking down alcohol and metabolizing nutrients from food. When you drink a lot of alcohol, it stresses your liver a lot and may even cause chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis over a period of time. Once you have given up alcohol, your liver will become clean from within and function much more efficiently than ever before.
8. Lowered Risk of Depression:
Alcohol contains chemicals that are known to lead to depression in the long run, especially when consumed on a daily basis. It is one of the most common causes of depression among people. Once you have given up alcohol, you will be less prone to developing any type of depressive disorder and can live a happy and healthy life instead.
9. Good for your Heart:
Alcohol contains chemicals that are known to increase the risk of heart diseases in the long run. If you drink alcohol regularly, it can lead to coronary artery disease and finally a heart attack. Giving up alcohol will certainly keep your heart healthy and reduce the risk of suffering from any type of heart disease.
10. Better Looks:
Drinking alcohol leads to dehydration and affects the blood circulation in your body, which results in puffy-looking skin. Once you have given up alcohol, it will be easy for you to get rid of the puffy and dull look on your face and make way for better-looking skin, free from any type of harmful toxins or chemicals.
11. Lowered Risk of Stroke:
Alcohol is one of the most common causes behind different types of strokes and may lead to chronic excessive drinking. Once you have given up alcohol, it will be much easier for you to lower your risk of developing a stroke and improve your overall blood circulation as well.
12. Improved Sleep Cycle:
Alcohol contains chemicals that disrupt the natural sleep cycle of the body. This is another reason why drinking alcohol regularly can cause insomnia in some people. Once you have given up alcohol, your sleep quality will certainly improve and you can enjoy deep, uninterrupted sleep at night without worrying about not being able to wake up the next morning.
13. Better Metabolism:
Alcohol contains chemicals that have a negative impact on your metabolism. Once you have given up alcohol, it will be much easier for you to maintain a healthy weight and improve the overall metabolic functioning of your body.
14. No More Hangovers:
When you consume alcohol, there is a certain amount of toxins that are released into the bloodstream which causes severe headaches and nausea. This is what we commonly refer to as a hangover. Once you have given up alcohol, it will be much easier for you to avoid such feelings and wake up fresh every morning.
15. Reduced Risk of Accidents:
Drinking alcohol can reduce your reaction time and motor skills over a period of time which will lead to an increased risk of accidents. If you drink a lot of alcohol regularly, it will be difficult for you to avoid such incidents and keep yourself safe from any type of accident. Giving up alcohol can surely reduce your chances of becoming a victim in such cases.
16. Increase in Metabolism:
Alcohol contains chemicals that affect your metabolism and lead to weight gain over time. If you consume alcohol regularly, it will be much more difficult for you to maintain a healthy weight and lose any extra pounds. Once you have given up alcohol, your metabolism will certainly improve which will help you burn fat at a faster pace.
17. Better Digestion:
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to chronic indigestion and upset the digestive system. This is another reason why drinking alcohol regularly can cause severe health problems. Giving up alcohol will improve your digestion and lead to better bowel movements as well.
18. Healthy Hair:
Alcohol contains chemicals that have a negative impact on the hair growth cycle and can contribute to hair loss over time if consumed in high quantities. Most people consume alcohol in large quantities which leads to hair fall and loss of hair color. Once you have given up alcohol, it will be easier for you to protect your hair from damage and enjoy stronger, healthier hair growth.
19. Improved Organ Function:
Alcohol is known to affect the proper functioning of different organs in the body including the liver, blood vessels, digestive system, kidneys, etc. Once you have given up alcohol, it will be much easier for your body organs to function better and improve the overall health of your body at a much faster rate.
20. Better Assimilation of Nutrients:
Alcohol contains chemicals that interfere with the proper assimilation of nutrients from food, leading to severe health problems over time. Alcohol can also disrupt the digestive process which will make it difficult for your body to absorb nutrients efficiently. Once you have given up alcohol, it will be much easier for you to get all of the essential nutrients from food and improve your overall health in a significant manner.
21. Healthy Heart:
Drinking alcohol regularly leads to several different types of cardiovascular issues over time. Once you have given up alcohol, you will find that your heart is stronger and healthier than ever before.
22. No More Risks of Cancer:
Alcohol has been known to cause several types of cancers including liver cancer, oral cancer, esophageal cancer, etc. if consumed in high quantities regularly over a long period of time. Once you have given up alcohol, you will be at a reduced risk of developing cancer and also reduce the chances of your loved ones getting affected as well.
23. Healthy Liver:
Your liver is one of the primary organs that are affected by excessive drinking over a long period of time. Alcohol contains toxins that can cause severe damage to the liver cells and lead to the development of several types of serious conditions. If you stop consuming alcohol, you will reduce all of the risks associated with the unhealthy functioning of the liver.
24. Better Blood Circulation:
Alcohol can affect your blood circulation in a negative manner over time if consumed in high quantities regularly. It will be much easier for you to improve the blood circulation in your body once you have given up alcohol.
25. Lower Stress Levels:
Alcohol contains high amounts of sugar which can trigger stress and anxiety when consumed in excess. However, once you have given up alcohol, it will be easier for you to control your stress levels naturally without depending on any kind of artificial stress reliever.