Alcoholic man

Given how prolific the presentation of binge drinking is in the media, it’s important to highlight the negative aspects of consumption to shed some light on the truth behind alcohol abuse. Alcohol’s use as a social substance has made it commonly abused, and underage drinkers are seeing it more and more. In fact, just over 1 in 3 Americans ages 12 to 20 have already consumed alcohol despite the legal age requirement.

Understanding alcohol’s long-term health implications is crucial in making an informed decision on how you consume the substance. These effects typically fall under physical and psychological categories, both of which are equally as important to address.

Physical Health Effects

One silver lining to the portrayal of alcohol abuse in media is that it does often show the physical complications that come from drinking, such as:

  • Increased risk of cancer in the mouth, throat, liver and breasts.
  • Liver damage and failure.
  • Heart disease.

Children of parents who abused alcohol during pregnancy or that heavily drink at home may be more likely to engage in similar risky behavior in addition to potential developmental issues.

Psychological Health Effects

While alcohol seems like the simple go-to for treating a stressful day, it creates its own set of mental symptoms that can worsen the ones being “medicated” against and include:

  • Depression which can present as constant sadness, feelings of hopelessness, unfounded guilt and a lack of empathy.
  • Anxiety which can include panic attacks, trouble socializing and intrusive thoughts.
  • Memory loss from specific nights of binge drinking or general short-term memory issues due to regular alcohol abuse.

Many of these symptoms of alcohol abuse can lead to self-isolating behavior that can put a strain on other relationships and lead to poor performance at work or school, creating further psychological stress.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Abuse

At America’s Rehab Campus, we’ve helped over 20,000 guests overcome their addiction and achieve long-term sobriety. Alcohol abuse treatment at ARC is tailored to your specific needs and goals to ensure you’re ready to start the life you want to live the moment you step out of your final appointment.

Outpatient treatment is perfect for those who are able to safely maintain their work or school schedule during the day and visit the center in the afternoon for treatment. Inpatient, or residential treatment, is the most effective form of rehab and lets you live on-campus for the duration of your program. This fully removes you from any toxic environments or exposure to alcohol abuse that could serve as a trigger and lead to relapse.

When you’re ready to take the next step towards a healthy, sober lifestyle, reach out to our compassionate ARC intake team to get started.