Fort Myers Alcoholism Treatment: 30 Side Effects of Alcoholism

Fort Myers Alcoholism Treatment: Alcoholism’s Toll On The Body

Drinking alcohol whether it be recreationally or engaging in heavy alcohol abuse can have significant impacts on a person’s body and overall health. The longer you engage in alcohol abuse, the higher likelihood of increased risks of impacts on your body and its overall functioning, which can lead to needing to find a Fort Myers alcoholism treatment center.

Here are some side effects of alcohol abuse and the toll it can take on your body:

• Brain functioning- Alcohol abuse can alter the brain’s regular communication connections, leading to changes in a person’s behavior and mood. Individuals engaging in alcohol abuse will also find that they struggle with having clear, rational thought processes and will have difficulty processing the information as they once could. Alcohol abuse is also linked to changing a person’s movements with normal coordination.
• Heart functioning- Engaging in alcohol consumption whether it be heavy alcohol consumption or occasional alcohol consumption can lead to heart complications such as increased blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, or stroke.
• Pancreas functioning- Alcohol abuse can lead to complications within the pancreas by causing toxic substances to be produced through the pancreas that can put a person at an increased risk for developing pancreatitis which results in a severe, often dangerous, swelling or inflammation of blood vessels within the pancreas. When someone develops pancreatitis, it can prevent or inhibit proper, healthy digestion.
• Liver functioning- Many have heard that alcohol consumption can impact healthy liver functioning but how it does so is not always discussed. Alcohol consumption can cause complications such as liver inflammation, steatosis otherwise known as fatty liver, fibrosis, alcoholic hepatitis, or cirrhosis.
• Increased risk for cancer- Engaging in alcohol use has been linked to the onset of several types of cancer. Alcohol abuse has been linked to developing head and neck cancer such as the larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, breast, colorectal, or liver cancer.
• Weakened immune system- Alcohol consumption will break down your immune system over time, increasing the risk of contracting diseases.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at (877) 640-7820 to learn how we can help.

5 Mental Side Effects of Alcoholism

No matter what your history with alcohol abuse is, the longer you drink without help from a Fort Myers alcoholism treatment center, the more likely you are to develop side effects of alcoholism that can impact your mental health. Common mental health side effects of alcoholism can include:

1. Depression- Many people who suffer from depression will often turn to alcohol as a form of coping and self-medicating. While there may be momentary feelings of relief from the symptoms of depression, the unfortunate truth is that alcohol is a depressant that tends to exacerbate the symptoms felt by depression. After quitting alcohol use, many will find that their symptoms of depression will lessen and become manageable.
2. Anxiety- Similar to those who attempt to treat depression with alcohol, those who are experiencing side effects from anxiety may turn to alcohol as a means to cope. However, increased alcohol abuse will often lead to increased feelings of anxiety. Alcohol detox withdrawal often produces anxiety as withdrawal symptoms set in.
3. Impaired memory- Heavy alcohol abuse is often associated with individuals experiencing “blackouts” where they cannot remember the events while under the influence. While this can be the experience for some people, research also shows that alcohol abuse can permanently damage a person’s brain impacting memory.
4. Increased risk for suicidal ideations or self-harm- Alcohol abuse is linked to both depression and impulsivity. While under the influence, some people will experience severe symptoms of depression that can increase the risk of suicidal ideation or attempts due to the lack of self-control and emotional regulation.
5. Psychosis- Some individuals will experience the onset of psychosis when they are heavy drinkers or engaging in long-term alcohol abuse and stop their alcohol consumption abruptly.

See how you can help an alcoholic here:

How to Help an Alcoholic Who Doesn’t Want Help

25 Physical Side Effects of Alcoholism

Alcoholism plays a substantial toll on a person’s psychological and physical health. The longer you engage in alcohol consumption, the more you become at risk for experiencing physical side effects from alcoholism including the following:

1. Delayed reaction time
2. Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
3. Challenges with maintaining balance
4. Blurred or impaired vision
5. High blood pressure
6. Seizures due to physical dependency occur and result in a withdrawal symptom
7. Increased tolerance for alcohol leads someone to have to drink more to reach the same desired effect
8. Altered senses due to nerve damage occurring around the eyes, ears, and nose from alcohol abuse
9. Inability to concentrate or decrease in normal concentration and focus
10. Decrease in regular motivation levels
11. Changes in hormone levels
12. Shifts in sleep patterns
13. Breathing complications due to lung damage from alcohol abuse
14. Abnormal heart rate including experiencing heart palpitations
15. Increased risk for osteoporosis due to alcohol impacting the bone density within alcohol abuser
16. Diabetes can occur after prolonged alcohol abuse due to ethanol reducing the body’s ability to produce insulin
17. Chronic alcohol abuse impacts the body’s ability to produce red blood cells leading to anemia
18. Changes in weight. Heavy or chronic use of alcohol can lead a person to gain or lose weight to changes in metabolic rates
19. Skin problems such as jaundice, spider veins, or a yellowish skin complexion due to alcohol abuse
20. Stomach problems such as ulcers or gastritis
21. Intestine complications can occur including colitis or other gastrointestinal challenges
22. Muscle deterioration or muscle loss. Chronic alcohol use can lead to the breakdown of muscle tissue and a lack of protein synthesis which is required for muscle regeneration.
23. Decreased energy levels
24. Increased risk for cancer
25. Dizziness: Long-term alcohol abuse alters the brain chemistry which can lead to vertigo or dizziness

Long-Term Damage of Alcoholism

Engaging in long-term alcoholism without attending a Fort Myers alcoholism treatment center can risk your overall health and well-being. Long-term damage from alcoholism can include:

• Hormonal imbalance
• Heart disease or heart complications including heart damage
• Changes in weight can result in obesity. Experiencing obesity can lead to added health complications
• Liver disease including hepatitis of the liver, chronic liver disorder, or cirrhosis of the liver
• Stomach or intestinal ulcers
• A weakened immune system poses a risk to your overall physical health
• Low levels of vitamins and minerals lead to deficiencies
• Impacts on brain cells leading to loss of brain mass
• Malnutrition
• Increased risk of cancer
• Stroke
• Alcohol dependency leads to severe withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to quit your use of alcohol

Fort Myers Alcoholism Treatment: Recover From the Side Effects of Alcoholism With WhiteSands

Like any other addiction, long-term alcoholism can increase the risk of health complications and physical health concerns. As you prepare to address your alcohol addiction within an addiction treatment program, you will be supported in rejuvenating your body and mind from the side effects of alcoholism with leading evidence-based therapy methods and holistic treatment methods. At our Fort Myers alcoholism treatment center, patients are offered a comprehensive treatment plan that will be centered around their unique needs for healing within their physical and psychological health and fostering personal growth and recovery. Our medical team and addiction therapists will be alongside you every step of the way as you pave the way toward your new path in life in addiction recovery.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.