Drinking alcoholic beverages can be considered a national tradition. They find themselves at the drinking table on both holidays and days of mourning, they spend time entertaining themselves and relaxing, not thinking about the harmful effects of alcohol on the body and its harmful effects on health.
Ethyl alcohol is toxic to humans. Depending on a person's predisposition, even small doses can cause serious disturbances in the functioning of organs, cause changes in behavior and disrupt general well-being. Lack of measures and systematic drinking often cause the development of addiction, the fight against this addiction requires considerable physical, moral and financial efforts.
The clinic's specialists know first-hand the dangers of alcohol, and on this basis patients receive competent and high-quality support to eliminate the consequences of alcohol abuse. The clinic's doctors help with hangover symptoms, quit drinking, reduce hangover, and also choose a course of treatment and rehabilitation. Drug treatment is given at home, on an outpatient basis, or in a hospital.
Developmental stages of alcoholism
Alcoholism is a disease characterized by the presence of meaning and craving for alcohol. It develops in stages, going through several stages.
First stage
The initial stage of the development of the disease is characterized by the appearance of a steady craving for alcoholic beverages. The desire to drink occurs in situations of emotional stress and tension, regardless of their nature (pleasant or unpleasant).
Phase 2
The frequency of drinking is constantly increasing, and the volume and strength of the drinks consumed are increasing. Gradually, a person loses control of the situation, as well as the ability to critically evaluate their behavior and actions.
Stage 3
The body gets used to drinking alcohol, which manifests itself in a weakening of its ability to resist its destructive effects. Even a small dose of alcohol can cause intoxication, and further use does not change the nature of the condition.
Consequences of drinking alcohol
Ethanol is a chemical with psychoactive effects and the ability to cause excessive excitability of the central nervous system. Depending on the dose and the individual body's response, drinking alcohol can cause a state of relaxation or uncontrolled rage, leading to mild loss of coordination or the threat of unconsciousness and epileptic seizures. In clinics, doctors observe the many consequences of drinking, in each case choosing the appropriate support.
Effects of alcohol on the brain
Under the influence of ethanol, various pathological processes occur in the body, including the adhesion of red blood cells. The plaques that form enter the circulatory system and begin circulating in the blood. When they pass through the thin vessels of the brain, they can create a blockage that stops the blood supply. As a result, the brain begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen, leading to the death of cells. Physically, the condition manifests as a headache when feeling hungover, as well as impaired memory.
Frequent repetition increases stress levels, leading to irreversible changes in brain tissues. As a result, over time, a person can face diseases such as dementia and atherosclerosis.
Effects of alcohol on the nervous system
The central nervous system is the subject of the action of the standard. Due to forced relaxation, the sensitivity of nerve fibers decreases, which leads to the elimination of excess tension. But this very state becomes a trap. In anticipation of a pleasant feeling, a person begins to regularly turn to alcohol, which helps to relax the nervous system. Without it, stress will progress, creating a serious load on the body:
- periods of increased anxiety and stress;
- increased anxiety and inner anxiety;
- stress does not subside, causing mental and physical changes in state.
Effects of alcohol on the liver
Like any other poison and poison, ethanol has a negative effect on liver tissue and cells. As soon as ethyl alcohol enters the body, the liver begins to produce an enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase) that can process and neutralize it. High levels of stress cause the death of healthy liver cells and their replacement by fatty and connective tissue. If this process is not stopped, the consequences are dire:
- liver failure develops: the organ does not cope with its work;
- the load on the gastrointestinal tract increases, the activity of the gallbladder decreases;
- there is an increase in the size of the liver, which causes a change in the position of the organs, an increase in the load on the vascular system, an increased risk of thrombosis;
- Due to liver failure, the process of using sodium compounds is delayed, leading to increased stone formation in the biliary tract and bladder.
Effects of alcohol on the digestive tract
Drinking alcohol is bad for your digestive tract health. The mucous membranes of the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract are directly exposed to alcohol, which significantly increases the risk of:
- the development of peptic ulcers and inflammatory processes;
- changes in the acidity of gastric juices, causing pain and digestive problems;
- the development of reflux, which leads to the appearance of heartburn, burns of the mucous membranes and the development of other chronic diseases.
Effects of alcohol on women
The female body turns out to be especially vulnerable, and the harm of alcohol to it is more obvious and stronger than the harm to men. Even a small dose of alcohol can cause poisoning. Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages causes rapidly destructive effects.
The endocrine system is most affected. Drinking becomes a powerful stressor for her. The load disrupts the work of the endocrine glands, inhibits the work of the ovaries and adrenal glands, the production of female sex hormones is markedly reduced, on the contrary, the synthesis of testosterone increases. As a result, the systematic use of alcoholic beverages gives rise to masculine characteristics:
- the timbre of the voice changes: there is a hoarse and rough sound;
- coordinate changes in movements;
- charm and attractiveness are lost;
- stooping appears;
- weight gain.
Alcoholism changes a woman's appearance. The state of drunkenness and hangover causes the face to swell, appear red spots. The skin of the face is earthy, unhealthy, the network of blood vessels becomes conspicuous, the whites of the eyes turn red and then darken. Dark circles also appear under the eyes. Fat deposits form in the abdomen. Excessive hair growth becomes noticeable.
Drinking alcohol has an adverse effect on the condition of blood vessels and veins. Their walls lose their elasticity, manifesting as cyanosis, reticular vascularity, heavier limbs, and pain in the legs.
Alcoholism provokes the appearance of metabolic disorders. The body loses the ability to fully absorb nutrients, while actively losing vitamins and minerals. In this regard, the manifestations of vitamin deficiency are aggravated, the skin and hair become dull. Fatigue appears, endurance disappears, activity is lost.
Regular alcohol consumption affects the reproductive system. Alcohol disrupts the functioning of the ovaries, leading to a lack of ovulation and difficulty getting pregnant. If conception occurs in the context of systemic alcohol consumption, the risks to the fetus are significantly increased. As a result, a baby can be born with serious illnesses and developmental disorders.
Without qualified help, it becomes even harder for a woman to detox and end the destruction of her body. In this regard, contacting the clinic is of particular importance. A restorative therapy based on it helps to cope with unhealthy cravings for alcohol. The program for the treatment of alcoholism in women is drawn up taking into account the specific nuances of the disease process, which helps to increase its effectiveness in the fight against the disease.
Effects of alcohol on men
Regular alcohol abuse harms the male body. Toxins destroy organs and systems, exacerbation of chronic diseases, personality changes and deterioration of health conditions.
Against the background of intoxication, the level of male hormones decreases, which is followed by external changes: fat accumulates on the chest and hips, muscle weakness appears, bags under the eyes become noticeable.
Alcohol is especially bad for the reproductive system. Under the influence of toxins, the endocrine background changes, sexual stamina is lost, libido decreases, and signs of impotence appear.
Drinking alcohol also causes a problem like testicular failure. As a result, the production and quality of semen is markedly reduced. Conception becomes a problem. But even in the case of pregnancy, the risk of abnormal development in the fetus increases significantly.
Considering the severity of the consequences of alcoholism, clinic treatment offers an integrated approach to the problem. It is also aimed at fighting alcoholism and restoring the body.
Effects of alcohol on adolescents
Underage drinking is prohibited. But due to the resistance of youth and the craving of adulthood, these prohibitions are often violated. Drinking alcohol at a young age is especially dangerous. The body is in the formative and forming stage, the toxic effects of alcohol will interfere with this process. The harmful effects of alcohol in adolescence should be particularly noted:
- dependence develops rapidly: even small doses are enough to form it;
- symptoms of intoxication develop rapidly and manifest themselves with a special brightness;
- psychological failure to cope with the load, which is manifested by aggression, anger, irritability, inappropriate reactions;
- memory declines, the ability to concentrate is poor, adolescents cannot cope with their studies, begin to lag behind and decline.
Treating adolescents and choosing the correct therapeutic intervention strategy requires taking into account the characteristics of their condition and their physical and psychological development. Clinics have developed methods of special care for a particularly vulnerable group of patients, the use of which has yielded good results.
Harmless amount of alcohol
The variety of alcoholic beverages and their availability creates the impression that they are safe and harmless to drink. But scientists' opinion on the matter remains categorical - alcohol is harmful to health at any dose. Depending on how much it is consumed, this harm can be minimal or severe. It has been proven that regular alcohol use can cause diseases, as well as aggravate existing ones.
Critical thinking and understanding the gravity of the problem are needed in all situations, including alcohol problems. Much depends on personal preferences, attitudes and guidelines, as well as health. Some people find it easier to completely eliminate alcohol, while others acknowledge the possibility of its periodic use.
Scientific research shows that the risk of developing dependence is minimized if the daily dose of ethanol does not exceed 12/24 grams (the norm for women and men). Meaning, women can safely drink one pint of wine or one pint of beer a day, men's bodies can handle a few pints of wine or 0. 6 quarts of beer. However, these numbers should not be taken as a direct guide to action. Daily drinking is not beneficial and can form the basis of addictions, which will eventually have to be dealt with.