Drinking alcoholic beverages can be equated with a national tradition. They find themselves at the table both on holidays and on days of mourning, they spend their free time with them and relax, without thinking about the damage of alcohol on the body and its destructive effect on health.
Ethyl alcohol is poison to humans. Depending on the predisposition of the individual, even small doses can cause serious disturbances in the functioning of organs, cause changes in behavior and disturb general well-being. Lack of measures and systemic alcohol consumption often cause the development of addiction, the fight against which requires considerable physical, moral and financial efforts.
Clinic specialists know firsthand 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. Clinic doctors help to cope with the symptoms of a hangover, move away from heavy drinking, relieve intoxication, and also select a course of treatment and rehabilitation. Drug treatment is provided at home, on an outpatient basis, or in a hospital setting.
Stages of development of alcoholism
Alcoholism is a disease that characterizes the presence of meaning and the desire for alcohol. It develops in stages, going through several stages.
1st stage
The first stage of the development of the disease is characterized by the emergence of a stable craving for alcoholic beverages. The desire to drink manifests itself in stressful and emotionally intense situations, regardless of their nature (joy or unpleasantness).
Phase 2
The frequency of alcohol consumption is constantly increasing, 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 own behavior and actions.
Phase 3
The body gets used to drinking alcohol, which is expressed in the weakening of the ability to resist its destructive influence. Even a small dose of alcohol causes intoxication, and further use does not change the nature of the condition.
The consequences 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 the individual reactions of the body, drinking can cause an uncontrollable state of relaxation or bouts of anger, lead to a slight loss of coordination, or threaten to lose consciousness and seizures. In clinics, doctors observe a variety of consequences of alcohol intake, in each case, choosing an appropriate way of providing care.
The effect of alcohol on the brain
Under the influence of ethanol, various pathological processes occur in the body, 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 a blockage that cuts off the blood supply. As a result, the brain begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen, leading to cell death. Physically, this condition manifests itself as a headache during a hangover and memory lapses.
Regular repetition of the condition increases the stress level, which leads to irreversible changes in the tissues of the brain. As a result, over time, a person can face diseases such as dementia and atherosclerosis.
The effect of alcohol on the nervous system
The central nervous system is subjected to the action of the standard. Due to forced relaxation, the sensitivity of nerve fibers decreases, which leads to the elimination of excess stress. But it is precisely this state that becomes the 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 worry about stress and problems increases;
- internal anxiety and anxiety increase;
- stress does not subside, causing mental and physical changes in the state.
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 producing an enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase) that can process and neutralize it. A high level of stress results in the death of healthy liver cells and their replacement with fatty and connective tissue. If the process is not interrupted, the consequences are very dire:
- liver failure develops: the organ 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 causes a shift in the position of the organs, an increase in the load on the vascular system, an increased risk of thrombus formation;
- due to depletion of the liver, the process of using sodium compounds is delayed, which leads to an increase in the formation of stones in the bile ducts and bladder.
The effect of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract
Drinking alcohol is bad for gastrointestinal health. The mucous membrane 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 the gastric juice, which causes pain and digestive problems;
- the development of reflux, which leads to the appearance of heartburn, burns of the mucous membrane and the development of other chronic diseases.
The harm of alcohol for women
The female body turns out to be particularly vulnerable, the harmful effect of alcohol on it turns out to be more pronounced and stronger than the effect on men. Even a small dose of alcohol can cause poisoning. Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages causes rapid destructive effects.
The hormonal system suffers the most. Drinking alcohol becomes a powerful stressor for her. The load causes disruptions in the work of the endocrine glands, suppresses the work of the ovaries and adrenal glands, the production of female sex hormones is significantly reduced, on the contrary, the synthesis of testosterone increases. As a result, the systematic use of alcoholic beverages provokes the appearance of male traits:
- the timbre of the voice changes: there is hoarseness and roughness of sound;
- coordination of changes in movements;
- grace and attractiveness are lost;
- appears to stoop;
- weight gain.
Alcoholism changes a woman's appearance. The state of intoxication and a hangover cause swelling of the face, the appearance of redness and swelling. The skin on her face acquires an unhealthy and earthy color, the vascular network becomes noticeable, the whites of the eyes turn red and subsequently darken. Dark circles also appear under her eyes. Fat deposits form in the abdomen. Excessive hair growth becomes evident.
Drinking alcohol has a negative effect on the condition of blood vessels and veins. Their walls lose elasticity, which is manifested in the appearance of the cyanotic, vascular network, heaviness in the limbs, pain in the legs.
Alcoholism causes 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 are aggravated, the skin and hair acquire a dull appearance. Fatigue appears, stamina disappears, activity is lost.
Drinking regularly affects the reproductive system. Alcohol causes disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries, which entails the absence of ovulation and difficulties with the occurrence of pregnancy. If conception occurs against the background of systematic consumption, the risks to the fetus increase significantly. As a result, a child can be born with severe pathologies and developmental disorders.
Without qualified help, it is more difficult for women to cope with addiction and stop the destruction of the body. In this regard, contacting the clinic is of particular importance. A restorative therapy course based on it helps to cope with unhealthy cravings for alcohol. The program for the treatment of female alcoholism is drawn up taking into account the specific nuances of the course of the disease, which increases its effectiveness in the fight against the disease.
The harm of alcohol for men
Regular alcohol abuse harms the male body. Toxins destroy organs and systems, chronic diseases worsen, character changes and health deteriorates.
Against the background of drunkenness, the level of male hormones decreases, which leads to external changes: fat settles on the chest and hips, muscle weakness appears, bags under the eyes become noticeable.
Alcohol is particularly 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 causes a problem such as a decrease in the testicles. As a result, seed production and quality are significantly reduced. Conception becomes a problem. But even in the case of pregnancy, the risks of developing abnormalities in the fetus increase significantly.
Considering the severity of the consequences that alcoholism entails, the treatment in the clinic provides an integrated approach to the problem. It is at the same time aimed at fighting alcohol addiction and restoring the body.
The harm of alcohol to adolescents
It is forbidden to drink alcohol during adolescence. But due to youth protest and the longing to become adults, these bans 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 especially noticeable:
- addiction develops rapidly: even small doses are enough for its formation;
- symptoms of intoxication develop rapidly and are manifested 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 worsens, the adolescent fails to cope with his studies, begins to lag behind and degrade.
The treatment of adolescents and the choice of the correct therapeutic intervention strategy requires taking into account the characteristics of their development and their physical and psychological condition. The clinics have developed special methods of treatment 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 create the impression that they are safe and harmless to drink. But the opinion of scientists in this matter remains categorical: alcohol is harmful to health in any dosage. 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 an exacerbation of existing ailments.
Critical thinking and an understanding of the seriousness of the problem are necessary in every situation, including the problem of alcohol consumption. Much depends on personal preferences, attitudes and guidelines, as well as health. It is easier for someone to completely exclude alcohol, someone admits the possibility of its periodic use.
Scientific research suggests that the risks of addiction formation will be minimal if the daily dose of ethanol does not exceed 12/24 grams (the norm 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 withstand a couple of glasses of wine or 0. 6 liters of beer. However, you shouldn't take these numbers as a direct guide to action. Drinking every day is not beneficial and can create a foundation for addictions to form, which will eventually need to be addressed.