Alcoholism is, quite simply, an addiction to alcohol. It negatively impacts the individual’s body, relationships, occupation, and finances. Over time, alcohol rewires the brain, requiring the individual to drink more in order to experience the same intoxicating effects.
Brain damage, liver failure, heart and gastrointestinal diseases are common side effects associated with alcoholism.
AKUA Mind and Body is a full-service treatment program that offers a wide range of “east meets west” treatment modalities for many different populations struggling with substance use and mental health disorders. We offer both intensive inpatient programs as well as outpatient treatment. AKUA Mind & Body works diligently with each client and their family to ensure that their treatment plan is specifically tailored to their needs, and not just their disorder.
Addiction results in compulsive and harmful behaviors that can affect every aspect of an individual’s life, including their occupation, relationships, and home life.
Complications of alcohol abuse include:
Alcohol poisoning is a serious, and sometimes deadly, consequence of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Alcohol poisoning can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, weight, or alcohol tolerance.
When alcohol is consumed, it has a very quick and aggressive effect on the body. In fact, it takes roughly one hour for the body to metabolize 0.25 ounces of alcohol. Because of this, alcohol can be absorbed into the bloodstream in as little as 30 minutes after drinking. Multiple drinks build up, quickly increasing the blood alcohol content (BAC). Since each individual is different, there is no surefire way to determine how much someone can drink without risking alcohol poisoning. When the body is unable to process the alcohol quickly enough, alcohol poisoning can occur. Signs of alcohol poisoning include:
Alcohol poisoning requires immediate medical intervention. Anyone exhibiting the above signs and symptoms after ingesting alcohol should immediately be rushed to the hospital by ambulance to undergo medical care.
Alcohol affects every organ system in the body, including the brain, heart, gastrointestinal system, liver, bones, and kidneys. Many people die from medical conditions associated with chronic alcohol abuse.
Alcohol is also associated with many cancers including liver, breast, esophageal, oral, and pancreatic cancers.
Drinking while pregnant can result in the child being born with fetal alcohol syndrome. The following are known medical complications related to chronic alcohol consumption: