Stop Drinking Tips - Alcohol is a Killer

Alcoholism, or alcohol addiction as it is better known, is one of the most widespread diseases that afflict the modern world. With the ever increasing pace of life and the myriad tensions that come along with it, more and more people are turning to the bottle as a respite from the mounting stress of their workplace and social life. However, not many know that alcohol is, in itself, a major cause of all their woes. The reason for this is that alcohol, by nature, is a depressant which means, the more you drink, the more your mind succumbs to the plunging depths of despair, which in turn leads you to drink even more to cope with this depression. And as a result of this vicious cycle, the body of the alcoholic suffers, unable to keep up with the mounting levels of the intoxicant that are poured into it.

When you drink alcohol, it passes into your esophagus and then into your stomach, from where it is absorbed into the blood. All this blood then passes into your liver, which is responsible for breaking down this alcohol into other chemicals, which are then further converted into water and carbon dioxide which can be excreted. This process is far from simple and cannot be carried out by your liver instantaneously. So, when you drink more alcohol than your liver can put up with, the level of alcohol in your bloodstream rises.

The liver is the first to face the wrath which alcohol lashes out on your body. Alcohol makes your liver store excessive amounts of fat, which, if disregarded, can culminate in Alcohol Hepatitis. Although this condition can be averted by simply cutting down on your intake of alcohol at the early stages, it is relatively difficult to do so as Hepatitis does not boast of any typical traits which can be accorded to it. However, if you allow the inflammation of your liver to become chronic, your liver will begin to produce surplus amounts of bilirubin which results in jaundice and ultimately liver failure. Your alcohol abuse can also lead to the formation of scar tissue in your liver, which damages the healthy cells and prevents new ones from taking their place. Thus, your liver grows weaker and finally gives up on you, a condition which is known as Cirrhosis. This disease many take years to progress to its advanced stages and usually does not display any major symptoms before the disease is at its most crucial phases.

Alcoholics are also more prone to heart disease as their over-consumption of alcohol causes severe damage to the heart and also increases their blood pressure. Prolonged abuse may also lead to your heart becoming weakened and enlarged, a dangerous complication known as Cardiomyopathy. Your cardiovascular health is also compromised on as a result of the elevated triglyceride levels alcohol leads to.

Long-term alcohol abuse may lead to a condition called 'Alcohol Dementia' where your learning skills, memory and other cognitive abilities are severely disrupted. The reason for this disease lies in the damage alcohol causes to the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system. Over time, this condition develops to memory lapses and the alcoholic finds basic problem solving and performing tasks which require learning skills very difficult to accomplish. This condition may further develop into paranoia or Korsakoff psychosis, where the individual makes up intricate stories to make up for the lapses in his memory.

Alcohol Abuse is also responsible for severe inflammation of the pancreas or Pancreatitis, a condition that often develops into Diabetes. Alcoholic drinks are also very high in calories, leading to the individual growing obese and suffering from high blood pressure. Alcohol also depletes the inner stomach lining, thus depriving the body of many vital nutrients. The loss of appetite, which most alcoholics suffer from, also makes them malnourished and impairs their immunity to a host of diseases. Alcohol also induces cancerous growth in the victim's mouth, liver, colon and gullet. Males are susceptible to erectile dysfunction while women may face several complications in their pregnancy and also an irregular menstrual cycle.

Although research has proved that the body can absorb moderate levels of alcohol and even profit from the lowered risk of heart disease that alcohol grants, it is vital that you remember that drinking any more than three times a day, brings the negative traits if alcohol to the fore. There are several other, more proven ways to boost your cardiovascular health, like a well-planned diet and an active lifestyle which incorporates a reasonable amount of exercise. It may so happen that you, as a victim may very often be unaware of the devastating impact your consumption of alcohol is causing, as one of the primary symptoms of alcoholism. Many symptoms may not be discernible, until they are at their most crucial phases, which makes treating them a lot more difficult. So, the next time you set out on a night of mindless partying, which can't do without frivolous amounts of alcohol, pay heed to that little voice which reminds you of all the damage you are inflicting on yourself and consider if that shot of vodka is indeed worth jeopardizing your physical and mental wellbeing