Alcoholism is a global concern and led to about 95,000 deaths in the US between 2011 and 2015. If you are no longer in control of your alcohol use, it is essential to consider joining a Christian addiction recovery program to avoid the adverse effects of excessive drinking with a faith-based approach.

Heavy drinking and alcohol use disorder are harmful patterns that involve the inability to stop or control drinking. Alcoholism also manifests in preoccupation with drinking and continued use despite suffering from drinking-related problems. Unfortunately, alcoholism affects your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Alcohol Harm That Calls For Christian Addiction Recovery 

Having an alcohol disorder will cause significant harm to your daily activities. Any form of drinking that compromises your health or safety is unhealthy. Alcoholics also tend to suffer severe withdrawal problems when they quit or cut back their alcohol consumption.

Excessive drinking will result in both short-term and long-term side effects. If you have an alcohol problem, it is vital to find prompt help before things get out of hand. Below is an overview of five ways alcoholism can disrupt your daily life.

1.  Alcohol Intoxication

Taking more than 15 drinks per week or 5 drinks per day can result in alcohol intoxication in men, whether or not you are an alcoholic. Also known as alcohol poisoning, intoxication occurs when there are high levels of alcohol in your blood, usually after heavy drinking. 

High concentrations of alcohol in your bloodstream can cause many damages, including unstable behavior and moods. Common side effects include impaired judgment, memory loss, blackouts (can’t remember what happened), slurred speech, and poor coordination.

The more alcohol you drink, the more impaired you'll get, so it's crucial to avoid excessive drinking at all costs. Alcohol poisoning can also lead to a medical emergency, coma, or even death, so the problem needs genuine addressing and rehabilitation to prevent life loss.

2.  Safety Risks

Excessive alcohol consumption will impair judgment, lower inhibitions, and lead to potentially dangerous situations and behavior. You shouldn't drive, operate machinery, or go swimming when drunk because excessive alcohol consumption leads to poor choices and fatal accidents.

Alcoholism is not good for your safety. According to studies, excessive drinking increases the likelihood of violent crimes or felonies, unprotected sex, and attempted suicide. Drinking also increases the risk of becoming a sexual abuse or crime victim.

Without sound judgment and inhibitions, you’ll be open to anything and may develop problems with other abused substances. Other safety concerns heightened by heavy drinking include partner violence, homicide, HIV infections, and relationship problems.

3.  Health Issues

Excessive alcohol consumption for an extended period will increase the likelihood of suffering various health issues, ranging from digestive problems to liver disease and high blood pressure. Uncontrolled drinking can cause inflammation or irreversible scarring to your liver.

Alcoholism can also results in gastritis, stomach ulcers, and heart issues, such as arrhythmia, failure, enlarged heart, and stroke. Studies also indicate that excessive drinking can lead to erectile dysfunction and congenital disabilities.

Other long-term health risks include bone damage, increased liver fat, neurological complications like numbness and memory loss, and weak immunity. Alcoholism also increases the risk of cancers (colon, liver, throat, mouth). What's more, alcohol can interact with other medications resulting in dangerous situations.

4.  Withdrawal Symptoms

If you binge drink once in a while, you probably won't suffer withdrawals but risk alcohol poisoning and developing a habit that'll lead to alcoholism. However, if you've been drinking for a long time, quitting can result in severe withdrawal issues.

Withdrawal symptoms occur to alcoholics because their bodies have become used to high levels of alcohol in the body and can’t function normally without it. The symptoms can last for a few hours up to five days or more, depending on your alcohol consumption patterns.

Common withdrawal symptoms include nausea, increased heartbeat, sweating, shaking hands, insomnia, anxiety, vomiting, and restlessness. You may also experience hallucinations and even seizures, impairing your ability to complete daily tasks. 

5.  Alcohol Dependence

Prolonged use of alcohol can lead to dependence, a situation in which the alcoholic cannot function without drinking. Addiction has many adverse side effects, including worsening impairments caused by continued drinking. 

You'll also suffer financial and social issues, such as the inability to get a permanent job, family problems, and spending all savings on alcohol. Unfortunately, the longer you keep the habit, the worse your situation will get, resulting in severe mental issues like depression.

Alcohol dependence will undoubtedly cause the worst withdrawal symptoms when it comes time to quit. You may also suffer irreversible damages to your health, especially if you drink excessive amounts of alcohol regularly.

Christian Addiction Recovery for Alcoholics

Are you or your loved one struggling with alcohol use disorder? Alcoholism is a global issue, and millions of adults are at risk of developing a problem at some point. The most important thing to do when faced with alcoholism is to recognize the issue and seek professional advice.

Treating the damages caused and changing the addictive lifestyle are your best options when dealing with alcoholism. You can approach reputable rehabilitation centers like Fresh Wind Recovery, a residential ministry for men struggling with alcohol and substance abuse.