Many people only focus on the short term consequences of drinking alcohol, such as pain from a hangover or getting arrested from risky actions resulting from intoxication. It is very true that drunkenness puts you at risk for injuring yourself and those around you, especially if you choose to operate a vehicle. However, the long term consequences of alcohol abuse can be just as devastating. If you are a chronic drinker, you can suffer from the effects of alcohol for the rest of your life. Research shows alcohol has been linked to over 60 diseases, some irreversible, and even life-threatening. These are 3 of the most serious alcohol linked diseases heavy drinkers need to keep their eyes open for.
Cancer
One of the deadliest alcohol-linked diseases, cancer is a disease that can start in one place within your body and spread throughout, making it even more dangerous, life-threatening, and difficult to live with. Alcohol has been linked with cancers of the throat, mouth, voice box, esophagus, breast, liver, rectum, and colon. Each consumed drink puts harmful pressure on organs within the body, damaging the tissues. Alcohol can cause inflammation within the liver, exposing the liver to toxic chemicals, therefore causing liver cancer. Alcohol also increases levels of estrogen in the body, putting women at risk for breast cancer.
Cardiovascular Disease
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States and the United Kingdom. Heavy drinkers can damage their heart from overindulgent drinking. However, just having a few glasses of wine throughout the week can still contribute to shrunken arteries, therefore putting more pressure on your heart to pump blood throughout the body. As alcohol makes it harder to pump blood and regulate blood flow, the risk of heart failure increases.
Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis
The liver plays a serious role in emptying out toxins from the body. Haphazardly consuming alcohol tends to create scar tissue in the replacement of healthy tissue, creating a condition called alcoholic liver cirrhosis. This disease is very painful and can cause confusion, internal bleeding, and fluid buildup in the stomach. Medications aren’t able to treat alcoholic liver cirrhosis, but it is always recommended to decrease alcohol intake, so your liver can start to function normally again.
At Asana Recovery, we understand how difficult recovering from these addictions through our daily work to help those struggling most from this disease. While some may believe they can make it alone, rehabilitation programs are essential in the fight to break the dependency. The road ahead is not a smooth or easy one, but you can traverse it if done so with the support of the right team. Counseling and aftercare processes can assist you by addressing the psychological facets that led you to addiction and help you build a structure from which to better cope with life without succumbing to addiction.
The supervised detoxification and residential treatment programs at Asana Recovery are offered in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. We’re deeply committed to ensuring your long-term recovery and guiding you on your path to a healthier and happier future. There is no better time than now, and we’re always available to speak with you. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
