For many, the decision to get help for alcoholism is a difficult one. This is because many people do not see the harm alcohol is doing, and can even be convinced that alcohol is not harming them. When they’re drinking, it can be difficult to see past it, and so it is difficult to see the effect it has. Be sure, though, that alcohol abuse has a great effect not only on your body and mind, but also on your family.

How Alcohol Abuse Affects the Body

There are many ways alcohol abuse the body. Not all ways will happen to all bodies, but all are possible and none are worth it. According to the National Institute of Health, these are some of the most common effects of alcoholism on the body.

• Stroke
• High Blood Pressure
• Arrhythmias
• Cardiomyopathy
• Fatty Liver
• Increased Risk of Cancer
• Weakened Immune System

How Alcohol Affects the Brain

Many people begin drinking excessively because they find some satisfaction in the effects it has on their minds. Some find relief in forgetting temporarily their problems. Others believe it will help them get through stress or depression. Whatever the reason, drinking excessively affects the brain in a variety of ways.

• Increase in inhibitory neurotransmitters (causing slurred speech and clumsy movement)
• Induces sleepiness
• Slows breathing
• Diminished brain size
• Increase in instances of Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome

How Alcohol Affects the Family

According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, “addiction is a family disease that stresses the family to the breaking point.” Alcoholism is, to be sure, a disease that affects the family as much as it affects the individual, and in many cases more. Alcoholism effects on family vary wildly, including the effects of alcoholic parents on children, but there are some commonalities. Those who love the person who is abusing alcohol are often left to pick up the pieces, and many times these people are not emotionally prepared to do so. Some effects of alcoholism on the family include:

• Child abuse/abandonment
• Spousal abuse/abandonment
• Increased emotional stress
• Increased financial stress

If you’ve read the above and see alcoholism and its effects taking hold in your life, it may be time to find help. Call us now and we can provide 100% confidential help at our safe, comfortable, affordable facilities. If you prefer, fill out our contact form and one of our highly trained consultants will contact you with the best way to get sober and take control of your life again. Addiction recovery starts with you, and with us, it can start today.