Alcohol and your Health: When a Little is too Much

admin | December 20, 2013

Alcohol in small or large quantities can be harmful to your health. As one of the leading causes of preventable death, the long-term effects can cause serious complications to physical, mental and social well-being for those who over indulge, or binge drink. It can also be a financially draining habit legally. It can be attributed to critical and sometimes fatal car accidents.

Health Risks

Alcohol has been linked to over 50 illnesses, and some individuals are oblivious to how much they actually consume. Many turn to the magical liquid after a long day at the office or as a way to celebrate with family and friends over happy occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. Habitual drinking can increase your chances of conditions that include cancer, anemia, cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis of the liver, seizures, gout, depression, high blood pressure, nerve damage and pancreatitis.

Engaging in risky sexual behavior is also a common occurrence for those who drink heavily, which means alcohol can increase a person’s chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV or gonorrhea. Studies show that alcohol is considered a “gateway” drug, which means it can lead an individual to find alternative methods of becoming inebriated, including using marijuana, cocaine or heroin.

Mental Anguish

There are other factors besides physical health complications when a person drinks too much. It can also cause mental anguish for the individual, loved ones and co-workers. Drinking can lead to personal problems and a troubled social life. The more intoxicated a person becomes at social gatherings or family functions, the less people will want to be around them to socialize, especially if they become obnoxious and belligerent, a well-known side effect of ingesting too much alcohol in too little a time period.

Some individuals are unable to cope throughout the day without alcohol, and that can make it difficult for them to not only keep a job, but to be productive on the job they have. The longer a person continues to drink, the more difficult it will become to function properly in a relationship, and they may be at risk for losing spouse, children and other family members. Alcohol can also be a costly mistake for individuals who drink irresponsibly, and financial ruin is sometimes inevitable.

Threat of DUI

In addition to the many mental, social and physical health risks associated with alcohol, those who drink and feel they aren’t affected by alcohol are at a greater risk for being convicted of a DUI. There are a number of variables that determine how much alcohol any individual person can drink without being affected adversely. Age, weight, medications taken, sex of the individual, etc., all play a part in how long it takes a drinker to be affected by the alcohol they consume. A 5’0, 120 lb. woman could be well over the limit after 2 glasses of wine, while a 6’0, 220 lb. man who takes blood pressure medicine could also be over the limit after 2 glasses of wine.

Driving under the influence can cause serious and/or fatal accidents that can affect innocent parties. It can also ruin the rest of your life once you’re convicted of the DUI. Not only will you have to pay exorbitant fines, you may also be at risk for losing your driver’s license, losing your job, being unable to obtain car insurance and worst of all, go to jail.

If an individual plans on drinking ahead of time, finding alternative modes of transportation such as a taxicab, hired driver, or enlisting the help of a designated driver can keep them, and other innocent people, safer on the road. Once charged with a DUI, securing knowledgeable representation like Steven Kellis a DUI lawyer in Philadelphia, is imperative in the attempts to give a post-DUI life some semblance to a pre-DUI life. An attorney can help ensure that rights are not violated, and an experienced DUI attorney knows specific DUI laws for particular states, and can site precedence in attempts to have charges dropped.

Recent studies have given alcohol accolades for its many health benefits in recent years, but the negative effects of over indulging far outweigh any positives. Having a glass of red wine with dinner is a far cry from bar hopping every weekend. While it is not necessary to completely abstain from alcohol, it is important to limit alcohol intake for those looking to do everything they can to help promote a happy, healthy, long and prosperous life.

Lisa Coleman is a blogger and writer based in Atlanta, GA, concerned with warning those who drink about being convicted of a DUI, one sure way to negatively impact a life. She recently read online how Steven Kellis a DUI lawyer in Philadelphia represents clients in court in their attempts to overcome the financial fiasco that can accompany such a charge.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30236399@N00/2610034366/