It may seem like a good thing initially to have a drink or two. However, alcohol abuse creates numerous changes in the body and brain, putting your health and life on the line. Because alcohol addiction is so complex, it’s critical to reach out for help. The effects of alcohol addiction range from one person to the next, but they nearly always include complications to health and wellbeing. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we’ll work closely with you to help you see improvement. To learn more about the treatment options available, please contact our team today at 866.294.5306.
When Does Alcohol Addiction and Dependence Form?
Some people can indeed drink alcohol and never develop true addiction or dependence. For others, addiction forms with consistent or binge drinking. The body and brain become dependent on the substance, creating a high risk for continued use. As noted, the more alcohol a person consumes the higher the chances are for damage to the body. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the signs of alcohol addiction:
- Drinking daily or wanting to drink often
- Feeling agitated or frustrated when you don’t drink
- Needing to have a drink after work, often
- Feeling compelled to drink
- Hiding how much you are drinking, being unable to control how much you drink
If you are experiencing these signs, it’s essential to learn about the long-term effects of continued use.
Long-Term Alcohol Effects Start Right Away
When a person consumes alcohol, the kidneys and liver need to clean it out of the system. Because your body cannot process and use alcohol like it does food, this toxin must be removed through these organs. The more alcohol you drink, the more trouble these organs have in flushing it out. That means that the toxic substance ends up impacting all other organs, including the brain and heart.
Some of the long-term alcohol effects that stem from this include:
- Increased risk of mouth, esophagus, liver, breast, and throat cancer
- Damage to the immune system, limiting overall healing
- Increased risk of liver and kidney failure
- Cognitive function impairment, including memory failure
- Heart muscle damage leading to heart failure
All of these risks are amplified for a chronic or heavy drinker. If a person has alcohol addiction, they are at high risk for early death.
A person with alcohol addiction is likely to have a shorter lifespan. More so, their life may include numerous struggles with health, hospitalizations, and chronic pain.
Seek Support from Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida Today
For those who recognize the risks of continued use, it’s essential to seek out professional help. Getting help for addiction enables healing to start right away. A person may begin to see improvement in their physical health within a short period if they stop using soon enough.
That therapy starts when you seek out treatment from Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida. Here, you’ll have access to tools to help minimize your desire and need to use drugs and alcohol. You’ll also gain access to therapy to help you manage past trauma, stress, and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Most of the time, you’ll find this can help encourage healing. Some of our detox programs include:
- Men’s detox center
- Women’s detox center
- Holistic detox center
- Medical detox center
- Residential detox center
- Addiction treatment plan
Alcohol addiction is devastating to physical, mental, and emotional health, even if you feel okay right now. The sooner you embrace treatment, the more likely you are to recover fully. Our team at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida offers the tools and resources to help you get to that point. Learn more when you connect with us online or call 866.294.5306 for an appointment.