Alcohol is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Today, its use is actually an epidemic and has many serious consequences.
Many alcoholics drink large amounts of alcohol every day and experience negative consequences for their health. Therefore, the question of how long alcoholics live becomes particularly relevant.
In this article we will try to examine this topic based on scientific research and the experience of practitioners. We will try to show the real picture of the impact of alcohol consumption on life expectancy and what you can do to increase your chances of living a long life.
Why is alcohol consumption harmful to health?
Alcohol destroys cells and the body
Alcohol is harmful to health because it destroys the body's cells and tissues. Regular consumption of alcohol leads to diseases of the liver, cardiovascular system, stomach and other organs. In addition, alcohol weakens the immune system and slows down metabolic processes in the body.
Alcohol worsens mental and physical health
Alcohol is harmful to health because it can lead to problems with attention, memory and thinking. Alcohol can also cause dizziness, cramps, and pain in the head or body. Regular consumption of alcohol can lead to a deterioration in emotional state, which can cause pain and suffering for the person and their loved ones.
Alcohol can lead to addiction
Alcoholism is one of the most serious consequences of alcohol consumption. Regular alcohol consumption can lead to psychological and physical dependence, which can have serious social and health consequences. People suffering from alcoholism experience difficulties in their personal, family and professional lives and may also be prone to breaking the law and engaging in aggressive behavior.
Result:
Alcohol is harmful to health. Regular alcohol consumption can have serious consequences for physical and mental health, as well as addiction and social problems. Therefore, it is important to take care of your health and drink alcoholic beverages in moderation or avoid them altogether.
How does alcohol affect the body?
Alcohol has a diverse effect on the human body, fully covering all its systems and organs. It leads to disruptions in the nervous, cardiovascular, hormonal, digestive and other systems, which ultimately can lead to various diseases and serious consequences for the body.
Alcohol has a toxic effect on the nervous system, which is manifested by impaired coordination of movements, irritability, emotional instability, impaired memory and reduced concentration. In addition, it has a negative effect on the cardiovascular system, leading to increased blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias and increased blood cholesterol levels.
Alcohol also negatively affects the digestive system and causes problems with the liver, pancreas and stomach. It can lead to the development of diseases such as gastritis, pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis.
It is important to note that alcohol consumption can lead to addiction. Alcoholics feel a constant need for alcohol and cannot control their consumption. Long-term alcohol consumption can lead to serious illness and even death.
- Alcohol has a toxic effect on the nervous, cardiovascular and other systems of the body;
- Alcohol causes disruption of the digestive system and can lead to various diseases;
- Alcohol consumption can lead to addiction and serious illnesses.
Alcohol addiction: what is it and how does it occur?
What is alcohol addiction?
Despite its negative consequences, alcohol addiction is a chronic disease that is accompanied by the physical and mental need to drink alcohol. People suffering from alcohol addiction cannot control their alcohol consumption and do not consume it even when problems arise in health, work, relationships and other areas of life.
How does alcohol addiction arise?
Alcohol addiction develops gradually through regular and excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol affects the nervous system, causing a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. Gradually, the alcoholic's body gets used to the constant effects of alcohol and to obtain the same dose, he needs more and more alcohol. In addition, drinking alcohol leads to a decrease in the hormones responsible for feelings of happiness, which worsens mood and causes depression. The result is a vicious circle in which a person drinks alcohol to achieve a feeling of satisfaction, which is very quickly replaced by discomfort and the desire to drink even more.
Signs of alcohol addiction
Signs of alcohol addiction can manifest themselves differently in different people, but the most common symptoms are:
- Inability to control alcohol consumption
- Constant desire to drink
- Giving up normal activities in favor of drinking alcohol
- Spends a lot of time with alcohol and alcoholics
- Lack of interest in other types of entertainment and fun
- Disturbances of sleep, eating and other vital functions caused by alcohol
- Damage to relationships with loved ones
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, seek help from a drug addiction specialist to prevent the development of alcohol addiction and its negative consequences.
Consequences for alcoholics
alcoholismis a disease that can cause various serious consequences for human health. Serious illnesses, mental disorders, neurological problems are just a few of them.
Organs affected by alcoholism:
- liver– Long-term alcohol poisoning leads to liver cirrhosis, which can lead to death.
- Heart and blood vessels– Alcoholism increases the risk of various cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and high blood pressure.
- stomach and intestines– Alcohol causes mucous membrane irritation, which can lead to stomach ulcers and various digestive disorders.
- Nervous system– Alcoholism can cause nervous system disorders such as paralysis and impaired motor coordination.
In addition, alcoholism can lead to psychological disorders such as depression and nervous exhaustion.
It is important to remember that alcohol is a poison and causes various diseases. Alcoholics need professional help to overcome their addiction and stay healthy.
Which alcohol-dependent people can live to old age?
Scientists have long established that alcohol addiction significantly shortens people's life expectancy. However, there are cases in which alcoholics live to old age.
Statistics show that alcoholics who begin treating their addiction at a young age have a higher chance of surviving into old age. Alcoholics who have no health problems and know how to stop themselves from drinking alcohol also have a higher chance.
Some alcoholics who live into old age say that they always controlled their alcohol consumption and never exceeded the limits. It is also important that the alcoholic's life be filled with interests and concerns that take precedence over alcohol consumption.
However, it should be noted that alcohol addiction is always a serious problem that requires a timely solution. Even though some alcoholics live to old age, that doesn't mean that alcohol addiction doesn't have negative effects on their health and life.
What affects the life expectancy of an alcoholic?
Chronic alcohol consumption
Chronic alcohol consumptionis the main factor that determines the life expectancy of an alcoholic. This is because alcohol has a destructive effect on the organs and systems of the human body and can lead to numerous diseases and pathologies.
Amount of alcohol consumed
Amount of alcohol consumedalso plays an important role in determining the life expectancy of an alcoholic. The more alcohol a person consumes, the more damage he does to his body. For example, people who drink more than two standard drinks per day are at increased risk of developing liver cirrhosis, cancer and other diseases.
Presence of comorbidities
Presence of comorbiditiescan also affect an alcoholic's life expectancy. For example, if a person already suffers from diseases of the liver, heart, lungs and other organs, alcohol consumption can accelerate the development of these diseases and lead to death earlier than usual.
Gender and age
Gender and agecan also affect an alcoholic's life expectancy. For example, women are generally more susceptible to the effects of alcohol than men and may experience more serious consequences from drinking alcohol.
In general, the life expectancy of an alcoholic depends on many factors. But the main role is played by alcohol consumption and its quantity.
Symptoms of terminal alcoholism
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that consists of constant dependence on alcohol. The final stage of alcoholism is characterized by serious health and behavioral problems.
One of the main symptoms of terminal alcoholism is a lack of understanding of the world around us and a violation of the mental state. Patients experience low self-esteem, a strong reaction to cessation of alcohol consumption, and an external imitation of feelings.
Representatives of the final stage of alcoholism feel a constant desire to drink and therefore always consume alcohol at every opportunity. They lose interest in everything except the drink, and the functioning of internal organs, the nervous system and digestion is disrupted.
The painful cycle often ends in premature death, so it is very important to start treatment on time and, if possible, end this dangerous addiction.
- Symptoms of terminal alcoholism:
- loss of control over alcohol consumption;
- Serious health and behavioral problems;
- Lack of understanding of the world around us and impaired mental state;
- Low self-esteem;
- Constant desire to drink;
- Disorders of the internal organs, nervous system and digestion.
Methods for combating alcohol addiction
Drug therapy
One of the most common methods of combating alcohol addiction is drug therapy. This involves taking medications that help reduce the desire for alcohol or cause discomfort when drinking alcohol. For example, a drug with the active ingredient disulfiram causes nausea and dizziness even with a small amount of alcohol consumption.
psychotherapy
Psychological methods also help combat alcohol addiction. Individual and group psychotherapy sessions help to understand the causes of alcohol addiction, deal with stress and control behavior.
Rehabilitation programs
Rehabilitation programs are designed to help people addicted to alcohol. These can include residential treatment, drug treatment center programs, religious programs, etc. Rehabilitation allows you not only to stop drinking alcohol, but also to learn to live without alcohol, build family and friendly relationships, and restore your health.
Self-help
This is not a method, but a direction in the fight against alcohol addiction. Self-help is a person's active participation in their own treatment. This could be giving up alcohol, exercising, meditating, joining support groups, journaling, etc. What helps one person may not help another, so self-help requires discovery and experimentation.
Excretion from the body
Withdrawal can help combat alcohol addiction, but it is not a method for everyone. This can be detoxification (a procedure for cleansing the body), diet, herbal medicine, etc. Removal from the body does not solve the main problem - psychological dependence - and therefore must be combined with other methods.
Diploma:There are many methods of combating alcohol addiction, and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. The best approach is to combine multiple methods. It is never too late to start fighting alcohol addiction, and specialists and loved ones will help you.
How to overcome binge drinking: tips and tricks
Binge drinking is a serious illness characterized by a strong craving for alcohol and an inability to stop. But it is possible to get out of binge drinking on your own, without medication.
- Determining the causes of binge drinking.The first step to overcoming binge drinking is to recognize that you are suffering from binge drinking and identify the reasons that led to it. These can be stress, depression, conflicts in private life or at work, etc.
- Plan your daily routine.A strict daily routine will help you resist the temptation to drink the expected amount of alcohol. It is important to pay attention to healthy sleep, a balanced diet and physical activity.
- Search for activities.On the one hand, binge drinking brings euphoria and pleasure, but on the other hand, it destroys health and personal relationships. Therefore, it is important to find an activity that can replace alcohol. This could be a passion for sports, reading, learning new languages or musical instruments.
- Find support.It's difficult to overcome binge drinking on your own, so it's important to find support from friends, family, or professionals. Do not hesitate to seek help from a psychologist, narcologist or support groups.
- Make an appointment with a doctor.Although in certain cases you may be able to forego drug treatment, in most cases the right specialist will help you manage binge drinking more efficiently and quickly. Don't be afraid to see a doctor.
Question answer:
How does long-term alcohol consumption affect life expectancy?
Long-term alcohol consumption significantly shortens life expectancy. According to a 2018 study, people who drink 2-3 standard drinks daily live an average of 1-2 years shorter than those who don't drink at all. The increase in mortality increases with increasing consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Can alcoholics live longer than those who don't drink?
This is unlikely because alcoholism is associated with a risk of serious illnesses such as liver cirrhosis, strokes and cancer. These diseases tend to shorten life expectancy.
Which alcohol is less harmful to health?
No alcoholic beverage is healthy, but some types, such as red wine, contain antioxidants that may have positive effects on heart health. However, drinking red wine regularly can lead to alcoholism and increase the risk of developing other diseases.
Is there a certain period until which you can drink alcohol without harming your health?
There is no specific period of time in which you can drink alcohol without causing serious harm to your health. Even moderate alcohol consumption can increase the risk of several diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Therefore, the best solution is to avoid alcohol completely.
Is there a way to reduce the effects of alcohol on your health?
In general, you can reduce the health effects of alcohol by drinking fewer drinks or reducing the frequency of your alcohol consumption. If you already have a problem with alcoholism, it is important to reach out to professionals for support and treatment.
Can genes influence the life expectancy of alcoholics?
Yes, genes in alcoholics can play a role in life expectancy. People with certain genes and body characteristics may be at higher risk of developing alcohol dependence or developing certain diseases from drinking alcohol. However, this does not necessarily mean that alcoholics with this genetic code are considered to have a shorter life expectancy. This may still depend on the amount of alcohol you drink and other factors.
How to stay healthy while drinking alcohol
Practice moderation
If you drink alcohol regularly, it is important to understand that excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact your health. To maintain your health when drinking alcohol, you must practice moderation. Choose strong drinks with no more than 40% alcohol, drink them in small doses and no more than twice a week.
Drink alcohol in combination with food
To reduce the negative effects of alcohol on the body, it is recommended to consume it in combination with food. Eating causes alcohol to remain in the stomach, resulting in a milder effect and reducing the risk of poisoning.
Drink clean water
It is important to remember that alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, so it is necessary to drink enough clean water. You can drink water before, during, and after drinking alcohol to replenish fluid loss and avoid dehydration.
Do not mix different types of alcohol
Mixing different types of alcohol can have serious health consequences. This can result in a large dose of a toxic substance affecting the body. Avoid mixing different types of alcohol and limit yourself to one drink at a time.
Don't drink alcohol when you are sick
Drinking alcohol when you are sick can make your condition worse. Additionally, alcohol can interact with your medications, which can also negatively impact your health. You should therefore temporarily avoid alcohol if you have an infection, flu or other illness.