The word addiction is often attributed to drug use. However, we overlook an equally disturbing epidemic of alcoholism sweeping our nation. With more university campuses and workplaces condoning heavy drinking, society propels drinking addictions as normality.
This addiction is starting younger and younger, damaging high school and college students before their lives begin. Drinking excessively is made to look less like an addiction and more like a social habit, stopping people from getting the necessary help they need. We will discuss the pressure threat of drinking, the hidden effects of alcohol, and how addiction should be treated.
Social Habit
Alcohol has become an ingrained ritual in our society. Going out on the weekend is shown by going to bars and drinking at restaurants. Most significant events revolve around the activity of alcohol. While being a social drinker balances the line between fun and responsibility, it becomes a slippery slope for many. Balance is essential because alcohol increases aggression, self-disclosure, and intimacy.
A study done by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reveals that 25.8% of people ages 18 and older reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month. The habit of drinking is exceeding past normality into destruction.
This isn’t just with adults, but starting with kids. According to NIAAA, people ages 12 to 20 drink 4.0% of all alcohol consumed in the United States. As adults drink responsibly or irresponsibly, this habit is viewed by their children and the next generation. This is causing copycat drinking, but more than that, it’s being encouraged through peer pressure.
According to a study published by the European Society for Developmental Psychology, peer pressure increases risk-taking, including alcohol, among adolescents but not adults. Students are encouraging and pressuring each other to partake in the dangerous habit of binge drinking. Once the pattern starts, it’s more likely to increase as they grow, making it a long-term habit.
Physical Effects
According to NIAAA, the physical effects of prolonged drinking can cause long-term damage to the body. In the brain, it causes interference in our pathways, affecting thinking and behavior over time.
Drinking has also been linked to damage to the liver, such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. This also affects the pancreas, as alcohol encourages it to release dangerous toxins that can lead to pancreatitis. Alcohol addiction has also been linked to cases of cancer. Overall, it lowers your immune system and ability to fight off infection.
While the physical effects come with considerable risks, the actual damage done by alcohol addiction is mental. People who drink are shown to be two or three times more likely to become clinically depressed. Alcohol addiction is linked to increased anxiety and anger, which, in a destructive cycle, leads to more drinking.
The issue of drinking may stem from someone attempting to cover a past trauma or unresolved mental health issue. However, drinking can also heighten these emotions of anger, sadness, or loss. This can lead to severed friendships and relationships from uncontrolled emotions or statements. Alcohol has reverberating effects on the drinker and those they love.
Drinking Addiction Is an Addiction
While we may look at addiction as a universal habit, the effects of addiction have lasting effects. If you are drinking daily or weekly to mediate mental health issues or because of cravings, consider reaching out for addiction treatment. There is no shame in seeking help, but there is damage in turning a blind eye to an important issue.
Don’t be fooled by society’s portrayal of alcohol addiction as a harmless habit. If you observe your classmate, coworker, or family member struggling with alcohol consumption, reach out to them about possible options. Often, we don’t know there is an issue until others in our life reach out about their worry.
Alcohol is used more and more as a coping mechanism for underlying issues. The damaged relationships and the long-term effects of alcohol are not worth the consumption. Learning the healthy balance between social drinking and binge drinking comes from respecting the results of alcohols consequences. This can be resolved through mental health treatment as well as addiction treatment. Ignoring the symptoms will cause a possible spiraling effect through alcohol.
Receiving Treatment
We deserve a life of sobriety, free from the grip of addiction. This applies to anyone struggling with drinking. Alcohol is a destructive substance that should not be overlooked, despite how it’s used and portrayed in modern media.
At First Steps Recovery, addiction treatment is a personal journey that fits the needs of our clients. We want to help you achieve confident sobriety if you are struggling with addiction. You can take control of your addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling, get in touch with our facility. Our team of experts is waiting to serve you and your needs.
Many people ignore addiction treatment because they are intimidated or believe they can handle the issues themselves. However, addiction is a severe issue that cannot be ignored. The problems surrounding or causing prolonged use need to be addressed, whether with drugs or drinking. We can all be free from addiction, no matter the case. At First Steps Recovery, we take care of our patients, prioritizing every case. Your success is our freedom. If you are struggling with addiction, please consider our facilities and a team of experts waiting to serve you in your sobriety journey. You can find your happiness again. For more information about our services and clinic, please call First Steps Recovery at (844) 489-0836.
Many people ignore addiction treatment because they are intimidated or believe they can handle the issues themselves. However, addiction is a severe issue that cannot be ignored. The problems surrounding or causing prolonged use need to be addressed, whether with drugs or drinking. We can all be free from addiction, no matter the case. At First Steps Recovery, we take care of our patients, prioritizing every case. Your success is our freedom. If you are struggling with addiction, please consider our facilities and a team of experts waiting to serve you in your sobriety journey. You can find your happiness again. For more information about our services and clinic, please call First Steps Recovery at (844) 489-0836.
