Long Term Effects of Alcohol
Some people have a drink once in a while. A few say it’s to take the edge off the day’s problems; while, some only drink at social gatherings and others have a serious drinking problem.
Whichever category a person falls into, everyone needs to be aware of the long term effects of alcohol on health; as well as, our environment.
Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and is distributed into the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines. Effects of long term alcohol use can cause all types of problems, both within an individual’s body and with their environment.
Personal issues can range from underlying emotional reasons for drinking, spousal issues, underage drunk driving, peer pressure, employment related problems and general unhappiness. Health risks can begin as indigestion, peptic-ulcers, sore throats and chronic nausea. These medical symptoms can progress into more serious diseases if they remain untreated.
The pancreas regulates blood sugar and prolonged, heavy drinking can lead to a diagnosis of pancreatitis. Women can experience trouble with their menstrual cycle, sterility or experience pre-menopausal occurrences. Cirrhosis is a disease of the liver that can be fatal.
There is also cancer of the esophagus and other vital organs. For all these reasons, the long term effects of alcohol use should be strongly evaluated by any person who drinks on a regular basis.
Then, there is the legal enforcement side of long term alcohol use – A criminal record. Drinking and driving on repetitive levels can land a person in jail.
Once an individual has been charged with drunk driving, the law record of the incident will follow for the rest of their lives. Alcoholism can have an extremely detrimental effect on employment.
Long term alcohol abuse doesn’t have to be a way of life. There are many prevention and recovery programs available in the United States .
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