How Alcohol Abuse Is Doing More Than Just Physical Harm

Indulged in across the world, alcohol is a significant part of our daily lives. It is commonly mistaken to be a stimulant; while it is, in fact, a central nervous system depressant.

From drinking on occasions with friends, to celebrating events and socializing, most of us down a peg or two at least a few times a week.

But the question is, is the short lived buzz the only thing alcohol does to your body?

Is it okay to carry on consuming alcohol even if you notice your drinking habits becoming excessive and reckless?

Effects On Relationships

Abusing alcohol is one of the major reasons behind complications in families and relationships.

Drinking moderately on special occasions may seem appropriate. Abuse it and you quickly start noticing things falling apart.

In fact, a research study concludes that couples who drink are at a higher chance of displaying mutually violent behavior. While on the other hand, couples where only one partner drinks excessively, end in divorce almost half of the times.

On the other hand, the intensity of anger and excess alcohol consumption have been recognized as risk factors for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and perpetration.

A research study¹ analyzed mutually violent behavior in partners by keeping track of participants who were instructed to drink at least 5 (for men) and 4 (for women) drinks per event twice a month.

At least one of the two partners had to keep up with the average instructed number of drinks. The study concluded with significant differences across each gender for IPV victimization and perpetration.

The study also concluded that while anger and excessive drinking are directly proportional, both of them play unique roles for both genders in reciprocally violent relationships.

Effects On Children

In addition to this, children who have alcoholic parents are at a higher chance of facing deep rooted emotional problems.

In fact, they are more likely to develop alcohol addiction and other substance abuse habits while growing up.

If you drink heavily, expect your children to develop emotional complications like shame, guilt, confusion and mistrust. They may even cut off from their social circle for fear of embarrassment.

Effects On Your Mind

Prolonged use of alcohol can damage your mind. There is a strong link between alcohol abuse and frequent fluctuations in mood, especially when it comes to anxiety and depression.

While you may be abusing alcohol, perceiving that you are self medicating for different mood disorders, long term heavy consumption may be doing the opposite.

According to a research study, people with alcohol addiction often suffer from depression. To relieve their symptoms, they often spike up their alcohol intake. This further exacerbates the situation.

Depression ranks the highest among mood disorders linked to alcohol abuse (Butcher, Mineka and Hooely, 2005).

If you or a loved one have been abusing alcohol, there is still time. Get in touch with us to find how we can help you with our leading addiction treatments in Orange Country. Our alcohol rehab programs use state-of-the-art techniques to help you get over this addiction.

Source:

1: Sprunger JG, Eckhardt CI, Parrott DJ. Anger, problematic alcohol use, and intimate partner violence victimization and perpetration. Crim Behav Ment Health. 2015 Dec 10;25(4):273-86. doi: 10.1002/cbm.1976.