Very few people in today’s American culture see the real risks of alcohol abuse. Not only is alcohol available and advertised everywhere we look, but alcohol use — and abuse — are normalized by both media and film industries. The result is that when people inevitably do have problems with alcohol consumption, they often do not seek treatment because they feel that they should be able to handle it on their own. This failure to assess their own needs effectively — and to understand the real risks of alcohol abuse — can easily lead to a cycle of alcohol abuse that can be difficult to break.
At New Bridge Foundation®, we have spent years helping individuals with alcohol use problems overcome their addiction issues and start on the road to long-term recovery. If you are worried that you or someone you care about might need help with an alcohol use problem, reach out to New Bridge Foundation® at 866.772.8491 to learn more about the risks of alcohol abuse today.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol can be dangerous for anyone. For many individuals with underlying health conditions, the risks of alcohol abuse are heightened. According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are several questions that you can ask yourself if you are worried about alcohol use disorder. These include:
- Do you crave alcohol when you are not drinking?
- Have your relationships with friends, colleagues, or family deteriorated because of your alcohol consumption?
- Have you failed to fulfill your responsibilities to your family, job, or school because of your drinking?
- When you have tried to stop or to control your drinking, have you experienced the symptoms of withdrawal?
- Have you tried to quit and failed?
- Have you continued to drink even after having experienced negative psychological, emotional, or physical consequences?
- Do you find that you need to drink more or more often to achieve the desired effects?
If you can answer “yes” to any of the above questions, the first thing to understand is that you are not alone. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has indicated that close to 15 million Americans struggled with alcohol abuse in 2018. More recent research demonstrates that that number is rising dramatically, particularly given the current global health crisis and accompanying quarantine. Additionally, if you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you owe it to yourself to learn more about the risk of alcohol abuse from an addiction specialist like one you can consult with at New Bridge Foundation®.
What Are the Risks of Alcohol Abuse?
There are many — and many different kinds of — risks of alcohol abuse. Alcohol use problems can put you at personal risk and can result in negative consequences. Threats to safety and well being can include:
- Poor choices that lead to physical injuries, like auto accidents
- Problems with family, social, and romantic relationships
- Decreased performance in school or at work
- Increased likelihood of violence and of being a victim of violence
- Legal and employment problems
- Addiction issues with other kinds of substances
- Increased chance of unprotected sexual contact and of experiencing sexual assault
- Increased risk of suicide
There are also numerous well-documented health problems associated with alcohol use problems. Among these are:
- Liver disease
- Heart problems
- Digestion issues
- Diabetes
- Weakened immune system
- Eye and vision problems
- Pregnancy and menstruation issues, increased chance of adverse pregnancy outcomes like congenital disabilities and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Increased risk of many types of cancer
These lists are by no means complete. The risks of alcohol abuse, however, mean that if you suspect that you have a problem, it is in your best interest to seek help immediately.
Learn More About the Risks of Alcohol Abuse at New Bridge Foundation® Today
If you are worried that your recreational alcohol consumption has become something more, it is worth taking the time to learn more about what constitutes alcohol use disorder and the risks of alcohol abuse. At New Bridge Foundation®, our specialists can design a program that suits your individual needs. We can even help if you suffer from underlying mental issues like depression and anxiety that underpin and fuel your addiction. You can learn more by reaching out to New Bridge Foundation® online or by calling 866.772.8491. It’s never too late to take your life back from alcohol.
