Alcohol addiction effects millions of adults in this country. In fact, it’s estimated that roughly 10% of Americans will experience some form of addiction in their lives.
Drinking not only has the ability to negatively impact your social life, relationships, and job security, it can also wreak havoc on your physical health. And that’s not something that’s discussed enough. And seeing as April is alcohol awareness month, I wanted to share some important information about alcohol and its effects on your physical health.
And to be clear, I’m not talking about too much drinking as in someone drinks too much every single day. I’m saying even if you only go out once in a while and drink too much that night, it can negatively impact your health.
Here are just some of the ways alcohol affects your health:
Your Brain on Alcohol
Alcohol disrupts your brain’s communication pathways, making it difficult for you to think clearly. These disruptions also make it more like you experience changes in your mood, memory, and coordination.
Heart Damage
Whether you drink a lot over a long period of time or drink too much in a single night, you are putting yourself at risk of heart damage. Excessive alcohol consumption has been shown to cause cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, strokes, and high blood pressure.
Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, there is a strong association between alcohol consumption and several types of cancers including oral cancer, esophageal, liver, breast, and colon cancers. In fact, the National Toxicology Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services lists alcohol as a known human carcinogen.
Immunity
Drinking excessively can weaken your immune system, making you a target for illness and disease. Even drinking too much in a single night can make it hard for your body to ward off infections for a 24-hour period.
As you can see, alcohol can do a lot of damage to your health and your life. That’s not to say that you cannot enjoy an alcoholic beverage every now and then in moderation.
In honor of alcohol awareness month, share these health facts with someone you love!
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