The Long Term Effects Of Alcoholism

Do you or a loved one have a problem with alcoholism?  If you are like many other alcoholics, you may claim that you simply enjoy drinking socially or as a way to relieve stress, even when you may know deep down that you might have a problem with alcoholism.

Unfortunately, many alcoholics do not seek treatment until they have hit rock bottom. If you think you even might have a little problem with alcoholism, you need to seek help – alcohol is nothing to play around with.  A good wake up call is reviewing the long term effects that alcoholism can have on the body and the mind.

Perhaps, the most alarming long term effect that alcoholism has on drinkers is the effect it can have on the heart.  It is known that heavy drinking can weaken the heart muscles, increase the size of the heart, increase blood clot risks, and result in abnormal heartbeat.  Excessive and long term drinking also increases an individual’s chances of suffering from a stroke.  Why these long term effects of alcoholism are the most alarming is because they can result in the early onset of death if not properly diagnosed or treated.  Still, even with treatment, both short and long term health complications may arise.

Another alarming long term effect of alcoholism is the damage that is done to a drinker’s stomach, namely their intestines.  Long term use and excessive consumption of alcohol can increase an individual’s chances of pancreatic inflammation.  Stomach pain and bleeding are also long term effect of alcoholism.  An alcoholic’s chances of liver disease also increase.  This is due in part to the consumption and breakdown of alcohol, which is the liver’s job.  This job; however, has damaging effects on the liver and its ability to function normally.

In addition to health complications that can lead to an early onset of death, it is also important to examine those that have more of a lifestyle change.  Heavy and excessive drinking can impact an individual’s fertility.  This impacts both men and women.  This long term effect of alcoholism is disheartening for those with high hopes of having children.  With that said, it is also important to touch on the dangers of an alcoholic becoming pregnant.  If alcohol use continues, fetal alcohol syndrome is a risk that will impact both parents and child for a lifetime.

As highlighted above, there are a number of long term effects of alcoholism.  Heart, stomach, and reproductive problems are just a few of the many complications that arise due to alcoholism; however, they are the most alarming.