Alcohol is still a socially accepted substance that can cause addiction. But, apart from alcoholism, constant drinking over a period of time can lead to serious chronic conditions. These conditions are sometimes fatal and will significantly reduce your quality of life. The rehab specialists at our Raleigh recovery center are always ready to help you give up alcohol for good and embrace sobriety.
Here are just the most severe chronic conditions you are at risk of developing due to alcohol:
High Blood Pressure
Over time, alcohol causes your blood vessels to constrict and become narrower. This means that the same blood flow has to pass through narrower veins and arteries. As a result, your blood pressure will increase.
High blood pressure is extremely dangerous, as it can cause:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Aortic aneurysm
This risk is significantly increased if you drink alcohol on a regular basis and are over 35 years old.
Liver Diseases
The liver is an essential organ that processes all the substances we introduce in our body – food, drinks, medicines and drugs. After years of processing alcohol, the liver itself will suffer and may develop several conditions, some of them potentially fatal:
- Fatty liver
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Cirrhosis of liver
- Hepatic failure
Cancer
Alcohol abuse is one of the contributing risk factors that may trigger the onset of several types of cancer. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is linked with:
- Breast cancer
- Cancer of the mouth
- Colon and rectum cancer
- Voice box cancer
- Esophagus cancer
Weakening of the Immune System
Many patients who come to our Raleigh recovery center to treat alcohol addiction say that what finally made them decide to kick the drinking habit was their overall poor health. Most of these conditions are caused by a weakened immune system.
And the ultimate cause of this issue is alcohol. This substance is a depressant of the central nervous system. This is our brain, which controls everything in our body – including the immune system. As the brain function slows down as a result of alcohol use, so does the ability of the immune system to fight off infections.
Mental Health Problems
Mental health problems like depression, anxiety and psychosis, are chronic – in the sense that there is no treatment to completely cure the patient, only solutions to suppress the negative symptoms.
Many patients who suffer from alcohol addiction also need therapy and treatment for such mental health issues, which were triggered or made worse by alcohol.
Cognitive and Memory Problems
Drinking alcohol may affect short-term memory and act as a contributing factor to the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. While more research is still necessary to establish a clear link, more and more doctors warn patients against alcohol use if they are already at risk for these conditions.
Let Our Raleigh Recovery Center Help You Live Alcohol Free!
Alcohol is more dangerous than it may appear, especially because addiction does not happen overnight. However, once it affects you, it also causes several chronic health conditions. Some of these conditions will severely limit your ability to enjoy life or are even fatal.
You can stop the vicious cycle from the very beginning, by choosing an alcohol detox program at our Raleigh recovery center. Our specialists will help you overcome addiction and withdrawal and support you during the post-rehab period, when you are vulnerable and may relapse.
Break the chain that ties you to alcohol addiction today – call us to schedule an initial appointment with our specialists 984-223-5341!
