Drinking alcoholic beverages can be equated with a national tradition. They find themselves at the table on both holidays and mourning days, spending their free time with them and relaxing without thinking about the harm of alcohol on the body and its destructive effect on health.
Ethyl alcohol is a poison to humans. Depending on the individual predisposition, even small doses can provoke serious organ dysfunction, cause behavioral changes and impair general well-being. Lack of measures and systemic alcohol consumption often lead to the development of addiction, the fight against which requires significant physical, moral and financial effort.
The specialists of the clinics know first hand about the dangers of alcohol, on the basis of which patients are provided with competent and high-quality care aimed at eliminating the consequences of alcohol abuse. Clinicians help to cope with the symptoms of a hangover, get rid of drinking, relieve intoxication, as well as choose a course of treatment and rehabilitation. Drug treatment is performed at home, on an outpatient basis or in a hospital setting.
Stages of development of alcoholism
Alcoholism is a disease that is characterized by the presence of significance and thirst for alcohol. It develops in stages, going through several stages.
1st stage
The first stage of the disease is characterized by the emergence of a stable desire for alcoholic beverages. The desire to drink occurs in stressful and emotionally intense situations, regardless of their nature (joy or trouble).
Stage 2
The frequency of alcohol consumption is constantly increasing, the volume and strength of the consumed beverages is increasing. Gradually, a person loses control over the situation, as well as the ability to critically evaluate their behavior and actions.
Stage 3
The body gets used to drinking alcohol, which results in a weakening of the ability to resist its destructive effects. Even a small dose of alcohol provokes intoxication and further use does not change the nature of the condition.
The effects of drinking alcohol
Ethanol is a chemical that has a psychoactive effect and the ability to cause overexcitation of the central nervous system. Depending on the dose and individual reactions of the body, drinking can provoke a state of relaxation or fits of uncontrollable rage, lead to a slight loss of coordination or threaten loss of consciousness and epileptic seizures. In clinics, doctors observe different consequences of alcohol intake, choosing in each case an adequate way to provide help.
The effect of alcohol on the brain
Under the influence of ethanol in the body, various pathological processes occur, including the adhesion of erythrocytes. The formed plaques enter the circulatory system and begin to circulate in the bloodstream. When they pass through the thin vessels of the brain, they can create an obstruction that stops the blood supply. As a result, the brain begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen, which leads to cell death. Physically, this condition manifests itself as a headache during a hangover, as well as memory lapses.
Regular recurrence of the condition increases the level of stress, which leads to irreversible changes in brain tissue. As a result, over time, a person may experience diseases such as dementia and atherosclerosis.
The effect of alcohol on the nervous system
The central nervous system is subject to the action of the standard. Due to the forced relaxation, the sensitivity of the nerve fibers decreases, which leads to the elimination of unnecessary stress. But it is precisely this state that becomes a trap. In anticipation of a pleasant sensation, a person begins to regularly turn to drinking alcohol, which teaches the nervous system to relax. Without it, the tension progresses, creating a serious load on the body:
- the period of anxiety about stress and trouble increases;
- internal anxiety and anxiety increases;
- stress does not subside, causing mental and physical changes in the condition.
The effect of alcohol on the liver
Like all other poisons and toxins, 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 provoke the death of healthy liver cells and their replacement by adipose and connective tissue. If the process is not stopped, the consequences are very severe:
- liver failure develops: the body does not cope with its work;
- the load on the digestive tract increases, the activity of the gallbladder decreases;
- there is an increase in the size of the liver, which provokes a change in the position of the organs, an increase in the load on the vascular system, an increase in the risk of thrombus formation;
- as a result of depletion of the liver, the process of utilization of sodium compounds is slowed down, which leads to increased formation of stones in the bile ducts and bladder.
The effect of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract
Drinking alcohol is harmful to the health of the gastrointestinal tract. The lining of the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract is in direct contact with alcohol, which significantly increases the risks:
- the development of peptic ulcer and inflammatory processes;
- changes in the acidity of gastric juice, which causes 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.
The harm of alcohol for women
The female body is particularly vulnerable, the harmful effects of alcohol on it are more pronounced and strong than the effect on men. Even a small dose of alcohol can cause poisoning. Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages provokes rapid destructive effects.
The hormonal system suffers the most. Drinking alcohol becomes a great stress for her. The load causes disturbances in the work of the endocrine glands, suppresses the work of the ovaries and adrenal glands, the production of female sex hormones decreases significantly, in contrast, testosterone synthesis increases. As a result, the systematic use of alcoholic beverages provokes the appearance of masculine traits:
- the timbre of the voice changes: there is hoarseness and roughness of the sound;
- changes in the coordination of movements;
- grace and attractiveness are lost;
- stooping occurs;
- weight gain.
Alcoholism changes a woman's appearance. The state of intoxication and hangover cause swelling of the face, redness and swelling. Facial skin acquires an unhealthy, earthy color, the vascular network becomes noticeable, the whites of the eyes become red and subsequently darken. Dark circles also appear under the eyes. Fat deposits form in the abdomen. Excessive hair growth becomes noticeable.
Drinking alcohol has a negative effect on the condition of blood vessels and veins. Their walls lose elasticity, which manifests itself in the appearance of cyanotic, vascular network, heaviness in the limbs, pain in the legs.
Alcoholism provokes the appearance of metabolic disorders. The body loses its ability to fully absorb nutrients, while actively losing vitamins and minerals. In this regard, the manifestations of vitamin deficiency worsen, the skin and hair become dull. Fatigue appears, endurance disappears, activity is lost.
Regular drinking hits the reproductive system. Alcohol provokes ovarian dysfunction, which leads to lack of ovulation and difficulties with pregnancy. If conception occurs against the background of systematic drinking, then the risks to the fetus increase significantly. As a result, a child may be born with serious pathologies and developmental disorders.
Without qualified help, it is more difficult for women to deal with addiction and stop the destruction of the body. In this regard, contact with the clinic is of particular importance. A course of rehabilitation therapy based on it helps to deal with unhealthy cravings for alcohol. The program for the treatment of female alcoholism is designed taking into account the specific nuances of the course of the disease, which increases its effectiveness in combating the disease.
The harm of alcohol for men
Regular alcohol abuse harms the male body. Toxins destroy organs and systems, worsen chronic diseases, change the character and worsen health.
Against the background of drunkenness, the level of male hormones decreases, which leads to external changes: fat is deposited on the chest and thighs, muscle weakness appears, bags under the eyes become noticeable.
Alcohol is especially harmful to the reproductive system. Under the influence of toxins, the hormonal background changes, sexual stamina disappears, libido decreases, signs of impotence appear.
Drinking also provokes such a problem as testicular shrinkage. As a result, sperm production and quality are significantly reduced. Conception is becoming a problem. But even in the case of pregnancy, the risks of developing abnormalities in the fetus increase significantly.
Given the severity of the consequences of alcoholism, treatment in the clinic provides an integrated approach to the problem. At the same time it is aimed at combating alcohol dependence and recovery of the body.
The harm of alcohol to teenagers
Drinking alcohol during adolescence is prohibited. But due to youth protest and thirst for adulthood, these prohibitions are often violated. Drinking alcohol at a young age is especially dangerous. The body is in the process of formation and formation, and the toxic effect of alcohol interferes with this process. The harm of alcohol in adolescence is particularly noticeable:
- the dependence develops rapidly: even small doses are sufficient for its formation;
- the symptoms of intoxication develop rapidly and manifest themselves with particular brightness;
- the psyche does not cope with the load, which is expressed in the appearance of aggression, anger, irritation, inadequate reactions;
- memory decreases, the ability to concentrate deteriorates, the adolescent can not cope with his training, begins to lag behind and degrade.
The treatment of adolescents and the choice of the right strategy for therapeutic intervention requires consideration of the peculiarities of their physical and psychological development and condition. Clinics have developed special methods of care for a particularly vulnerable group of patients, the use of which gives good results.
Harmless doses of alcohol
The variety of alcoholic beverages and their availability give the impression that they are safe and harmless to drink. But the opinion of scientists on this issue remains unequivocal - alcohol is harmful to health in any dose. Depending on the level of its consumption, this damage can be minimal or critical. It has been proven that regular use of alcohol can cause disease as well as provoke exacerbation of existing diseases.
Critical thinking and understanding the seriousness of the problem is necessary in any situation, including when drinking alcohol. Much depends on personal preferences, attitudes and guidelines, as well as health. For some it is easier to completely exclude alcohol, someone recognizes the possibility of its periodic use.
Research shows that the risks of addiction will be minimal if the daily dose of ethanol does not exceed 12/24 grams (normal for women and men). That is, women can safely drink a glass of wine or a glass of beer a day, a man's body can handle a few glasses of wine or 0, 6 liters of beer. However, you should not take these numbers as a direct guide to action. Daily drinking is not helpful and can create a basis for the formation of addictions, which will eventually have to deal with.