Read this tip to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Alcohol Treatment and other Substance Abuse topics.
Many people are familiar with the immediate effects of alcohol consumption -- euphoria, slurred speech, exaggerated emotional states, dehydration, and slowed reaction time.
Over time, alcoholism leads the body to become more efficient at processing large amounts of alcohol, which leads to "tolerance" -- the necessity of consuming ever-increasing amounts to get the same high. This also increases nervous-system activity, leading the drinker to become irritable when not drinking.
In the long term, alcohol consumption can cause cell death and hardening of tissue in the liver (cirrhosis); reduction in brain mass; ulcers; blindness; high blood pressure, and lower sperm count in males.
Many alcoholics also do not get proper nutrition, and suffer various malnutrition-related ailments such as anemia. Also, alcoholics are more prone to falls and suffer greater rates of bruises and broken bones.
Guru Spotlight |
Patricia Walters-Fischer |