Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol is, without a doubt, the most abused substance in the United States and around the world. It is predicted that 13% of American adults will develop a dependence to alcohol in their lifetime. That is more than 1-in-8 Americans!

Despite alcohol being legal, and there being many people who are able to partake in alcohol without developing behavioral issues or a physical dependence, our society pays a great toll for alcohol abuse. In 2010, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (the NIAAA) released a study that showed that alcohol abuse cost taxpayers nearly $250 million that year! For this reason, and the many lives that are ruined by alcohol abuse, helping people reach lasting recovery from alcoholism is an imperative goal.

Short term effects of alcohol abuse

To some degree, the effects of alcohol abuse depend on an individual’s body size and tolerance for alcohol. However, everyone who abuses alcohol could feel these effects while they are under the influence: digestive issues, vomiting, diarrhea, impaired senses, cloudy judgment and mental ability, and memory loss. Alcohol poisoning can cause a person’s vital organs to shut down, which is an issue seen in communities where binge drinking is prevalent. The impaired judgment can also lead a person to risky behavior that could put their person in harm’s way.

Long term effects of alcohol abuse

Many people who need help recovering from alcoholism aren’t binge drinkers, but instead suffer from chronic alcohol abuse that has manifested into a physical dependence. This is usually referred to as alcoholism. Chronic alcohol abuse has a horrible impact on a person’s mind and body. Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to damage of major organs, such as a person’s liver and kidney, cause liver diseases (like cirrhosis), and can cause brain damage and long-term memory loss because of the brain cells that die during constant alcohol abuse.

Get help today!

Talbot Rehab is a residential drug rehab center in St. George, Utah. If you or someone you know suffers from alcohol-related problems, please don’t hesitate to contact our team for help, today. Getting help is the first step to a lasting recovery from alcoholism.