Drinking alcoholic beverages can be equated with a national tradition. They meet at the table both on vacation and on days of mourning, spend free time with them and relax, without thinking about the harm of alcohol on the body and its destructive effect on health.
Ethyl alcohol is poisonous to humans. Depending on the predisposition of the individual, even small doses can cause serious alterations in the functioning of the organs, provoke changes in the behavior and alter the general well-being. The lack of measures and the systemic consumption of alcohol often lead to the development of addictions, the fight of which requires considerable physical, moral and financial efforts.
The specialists of the clinics know first-hand the dangers of alcohol, on the basis of which patients receive competent and high-quality care aimed at eliminating the consequences of alcohol abuse. Doctors from the clinics help to cope with the symptoms of a hangover, to eliminate excessive alcohol consumption, to relieve intoxication, and also to select a course of treatment and rehabilitation. Drug treatment is provided at home, on an outpatient basis, or in a hospital.
Stages of development of alcoholism.
Alcoholism is a disease that characterizes the presence of meaning and craving 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 appearance of a stable craving for alcoholic beverages. The desire to drink appears in stressful and emotionally intense situations, regardless of its nature (joy or disgust).
Stage 2
The frequency of alcohol consumption is constantly increasing, the volume and potency of the drinks consumed increases. Gradually, a person loses control over the situation, as well as the ability to critically evaluate her behavior and actions.
Stage 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 its subsequent 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 individual body reactions, drinking can cause a state of relaxation or uncontrollable rages, 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 assistance.
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 plaques formed enter the circulatory system and begin to circulate in the bloodstream. By passing 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, this condition manifests itself as hangover headaches, as well as memory lapses.
Regular repetition of the condition increases the stress level, which leads to irreversible changes in brain tissues. 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 subject to the action of the standard. Due to forced relaxation, the sensitivity of nerve fibers decreases, which leads to the removal of excess stress. But it is precisely this state that becomes a trap. In anticipation of a pleasant sensation, a person begins to regularly resort to drinking alcohol, which teaches the nervous system to relax. Without it, the tension progresses, creating a significant load on the body:
- increases the period of worrying about stress and problems;
- increases internal anxiety and anxiety;
- stress does not subside, causing mental and physical changes in the state.
The effect of alcohol on the liver.
Like any other poison and toxin, 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. A high level of stress causes the death of healthy liver cells and their replacement by adipose and connective tissue. If the process does not stop, the consequences are very serious:
- 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 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 liver depletion, the process of utilization of sodium compounds is delayed, leading to increased stone formation in the bile ducts and bladder.
The effect of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract.
Drinking alcohol is detrimental to 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 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 especially vulnerable, the harmful effect of alcohol turns out to be more pronounced and strong compared to the effect on men. Even a small dose of alcohol can cause intoxication. Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages causes rapid destructive effects.
The hormonal system is the one that 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 markedly reduced, on the contrary, the synthesis of testosterone 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 harshness of the sound;
- coordination of movement changes;
- grace and appeal are lost;
- crouch appears;
- weight gains.
Alcoholism changes a woman's appearance. The state of intoxication and hangover cause swelling of the face, the appearance of redness and swelling. The skin on her face takes on an unhealthy and earthy color, the vascular network becomes noticeable, the whites of her eyes redden and subsequently darken. Dark circles also appear under the eyes. Fat deposits form in the abdomen. Excessive hair growth is noticeable.
Drinking alcohol has a negative effect on the condition of the blood vessels and veins. The walls of it lose elasticity, which is manifested in the appearance of cyanotic vascular mesh, heaviness in the extremities, 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, resistance disappears, activity is lost.
Drinking regularly affects the reproductive system. Alcohol causes alterations in the functioning of the ovaries, which leads to the absence of ovulation and difficulties with the occurrence of pregnancy. If conception occurs against the background of systematic alcohol consumption, the risks to the fetus are significantly increased. As a result, a child can be born with serious 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 especially important. A restorative therapy course based on it helps to cope with unhealthy alcohol cravings. 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 damages the male body. Toxins destroy organs and systems, chronic diseases worsen, character changes, and health worsens.
Against the background of drunkenness, the level of male hormones decreases, which leads to external changes: fat is deposited on the chest and hips, muscle weakness appears, bags under the eyes are noticeable.
Alcohol is especially bad for the reproductive system. Under the influence of toxins, the hormonal environment changes, sexual stamina disappears, libido decreases, and signs of impotence appear.
Drinking also causes a problem like a decrease in the testicles. As a result, the production and quality of semen are significantly reduced. Conception becomes a problem. But even in the case of pregnancy, the risks of developing abnormalities in the fetus increase significantly.
Taking into account the seriousness of the consequences that alcoholism entails, the treatment in the clinic foresees a comprehensive approach to the problem. At the same time, it aims to combat alcohol addiction and restore the body.
The harm of alcohol to teens
It is forbidden to drink alcohol during adolescence. But due to youth protests and the desire for adulthood, these prohibitions are often violated. Drinking alcohol at a young age is especially dangerous. The body is in the formation and formation stage, and the toxic effect of alcohol interferes with this process. The damage of alcohol in adolescence is especially notable:
- dependence develops rapidly - even small doses are enough for its formation;
- symptoms of intoxication develop rapidly and manifest themselves with a particular glow;
- the psyche does not cope with the load, which is expressed in the appearance of aggression, anger, irritation, inappropriate reactions;
- memory decreases, the ability to concentrate worsens, the adolescent cannot 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 physical and psychological condition. Clinics have developed special methods of care for a particularly vulnerable group of patients, the use of which is successful.
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 on this matter remains categorical: alcohol is harmful to health at any dose. Depending on the level of its consumption, this damage can be minimal or critical. Regular consumption of alcohol has been shown to cause illness, as well as exacerbating existing ailments.
Critical thinking and understanding the severity of the problem are necessary in any situation, including the issue of alcohol use. 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 dependence 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 should not take these numbers as a direct guide to action. Drinking every day is not beneficial and can create a foundation for the formation of addictions, which will eventually have to be dealt with.