How Drinking Affects Health and Wellness

How drinking affects health and wellness varies from one person to another. The question ‘how drinking affects health and wellness’ has been tackled many times in different forms. From scientific reports to personal conversations, people are very vocal about the ill effects of alcohol on their lives. These effects range from the immediate after effect of intoxication, which includes the hangover symptoms, to the longer term after effects such as damage to the liver and possible cancer.

Studies have revealed that a large number of deaths in the United States each year are caused by alcohol abuse. Alcoholism is the result of compulsive use of alcohol for a prolonged period of time and is often characterized by uncontrollable social situations where alcohol is consumed. The most common symptoms of alcohol addiction include insomnia, loss of appetite, loss of interest in everyday activities, constant headaches, tremors, anxiety, depression, irritability, and a general feeling of social withdrawal. These symptoms are usually manifested when drinking is suddenly cut off; either during the day or at night.

Many studies that focus on the effects of alcoholism on health and well being have come up with similar conclusions. According to these studies, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to medical complications such as cancers of the liver, heart and other organs, as well as premature death. Medical complications become evident when alcohol use is extended for a long period of time. These complications can prove fatal if they are not treated in time.

The physiological effects of alcohol addiction can also lead to negative social effects. People suffering from alcohol addiction can develop physical illnesses due to excessive consumption of alcohol. This includes infections in the body, a weak immune system, and other disorders affecting the body and the mind. These ailments can cause pain, bleeding, and other conditions that can lead to death if not treated in time. These complications are evident not only in the liver or the heart, but can affect the brain and the eyes.

Many people who suffer from a severe form of alcoholism often develop psychological problems including depression and anxiety. In most cases, it is these psychological problems that lead to serious health complications. The prolonged use of alcohol can interfere with normal brain functioning, resulting in poor judgment and a lack of social skills. The long term effects of alcohol addiction can also be detrimental to mental health causing mental disorders like anxiety and depression.

One of the most obvious results of alcohol addiction is weight gain. Excessive intake of alcohol can lead to various physical problems including increased fat stores and increased bodily fat deposits. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and can eventually lead to heart failure. How drinking affects health and wellness is best understood by considering the negative repercussions that alcohol has on the body. The constant drinking of alcohol interferes with one’s ability to live normally and can create an addiction which ultimately affects the mind, body, and spirit.