How Alcohol Affects the Body's Vital Organs

It's interesting how socially acceptable alcohol is given its dangerous effects. Regular use of alcohol can contribute to deadly car accidents, other forms of substance use, crime, and disease. Despite the significant consequences, the consumption of alcohol continues to take place around the world. In fact, many people remain unaware of just how harmful alcohol can be.

One study done in Italy in 2001 examined the effects of alcohol on 2,300 men and women alcoholics. These participants of the study were receiving treatment at the Alcohol Center in Florence between 1985 and 2001. The study found that there was a higher rate of death among alcoholics than in the general public (for that area). The risks were greater for particular types of cancer, including cancer of the pharynx, oral cavity, liver, and larynx. There were also greater risks for cancer of the esophagus, rectum, pancreas, and breast.

"Clearly alcohol abuse can compromise the structure and functionality of several human organs, thus directly increasing the risk of death," concluded the lead researcher. This study revealed that alcoholics may be more at risk for certain types of cancers.  The study also found that female alcoholics were more likely to survive alcoholism. Researchers suggest that this may be the case because women are more likely to get professional support for an alcohol addiction versus men. These findings were published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

Furthermore, alcoholism can lead to illnesses having to do with the heart, such as hypertension and an irregular heartbeat. It can also cause impotence, irregular menstrual cycles, pancreatitis, stroke, confusion, and amnesia. Other illnesses associated with chronic heavy drinking include:

• Cirrhosis
• Dementia
• Seizures
• Gout
• High blood Pressure
• Nerve Damage

Alcohol consumption causes approximately 4% of all deaths and contributes to 5% of all disease worldwide. Because of the ill effects long-term drinking has an recovering alcoholics, many halfway houses and sober living programs are including health nutritionists. Experts find that nutritional eating can in fact aide the healing process during recovery. Returning to a diet that is rich in nutrients can help replenish the body, giving it energy, repairing organ tissue, and strengthening the immune system.

Of course, alcoholism puts one in danger of infections, diabetes, violent crimes, substance use, and certain life-long illnesses. And it's well known that alcohol, when consumed, distorts perception and judgment and can affect an individual's mood. It can also slow down one's reaction time, making it dangerous  to drink before getting behind the wheel. In addition to putting one at risk for car accidents and illnesses, regular use of alcohol can also lead to psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.

As mentioned above, alcohol consumption happens in huge numbers around the world. For instance, in America alone, the U.S. beverage alcohol industry is responsible for more than $400 billion in total U.S. economic activity per year, generating nearly $100 billion in wages and more than 4 million jobs for U.S. workers. This kind of money is likely what keeps alcohol socially acceptable despite the significant physical and psychological health risks.

If you or someone you know is struggling from an alcohol addiction, contact a mental health provider for support.

Even One Sip of Alcohol Can Be Harmful

Alcohol is often seen as a substance seen at parties, clubs, bars, and celebrations. It's frequently associated with having a good time. However, alcohol can be a toxic drug. Upon immediate use, it can alter the chemistry in a person's brain. Alcohol can produce short-term behavioral changes in the body and the brain. However, over time, it can also produce a long-term addiction. 

Pharmacologically, alcohol is a depressant, and it is the most widely used and abused drugs in the United States. Although there is also much abuse of alcohol around the world. When consumed, alcohol is quick to slow down the function of the central nervous system. It suppresses brain activity and can act as a mild tranquilizer or a general anesthetic, depending on the amount a person drinks. In very low quantities, it can appear to a be a stimulant by curbing inhibitions.

As alcohol concentration increases, however, further suppression of nervous functions produces the classic symptoms of impairment, such as slurred speech, an unsteady gait, disrupted sensory perception, and the inability to react in a timely manner. At high concentrations, however, alcohol produces general anesthesia. An acutely impaired person can enter into a coma like state and be difficult to wake up. And actually in extreme cases, the breathing and heartbeat in a person who is intoxicated may cease, leading to death.

Essentially, alcohol impacts vision, impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and compromises a person's ability to complete two tasks at once. Because of the effects on a person, addiction specialists and drug counselors advise that there are essentially no safe limits to drinking or drug use. One sip of alcohol has its immediate effects. In essence, the same is true with drugs. Although some drugs take longer to show their effects on its users, they can still provide enough impairment on a person to create risks. 

 
The body naturally rids itself of alcohol as a rate of approximately 0.01% for every 40 minutes. Despite popular thought, the body's process of metabolizing alcohol is relatively fixed. In other words, drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, or taking other forms of herbs or medicine in order to get sober will not change anything. A person will sober up according to the timing of the body.  It's also important to know that the physiological stress of cleaning the body of alcohol contributes to the breakdown of many major anatomical systems. When the body consistently needs to clear itself of alcohol, it takes a toll on the body. 

Although alcohol is a drug that is commonly associated with celebrating, drinking it comes with many risks. If you or someone you know is affected by an addiction to alcohol, contact a mental health provider. A professional can provide guidance on various treatment methods that can assist with breaking the cycle of addiction. When a person is afflicted with addiction, getting sober is not easy. However, treatment can ease the process and provide a person with the right support.