What are the side effects of alcohol abuse?

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What are the side effects of alcohol abuse?

25 November, 2019Articles, News

According to data published by the World Health Organisation, South African consumers of alcohol are amongst the heaviest drinkers globally. The unfortunate reality is that the side effects of alcohol abuse are not always prevalent enough to detect at an early stage – at least not the physical side effects. But with the right information, you can empower yourself to know what the signs are and get help for yourself or your loved one before the consequences become catastrophic. It’s important to understand that the side effects of alcohol abuse differ from person to person. There are however a few common experiences that serve as warning signs. Here are a few symptoms to look out for:

Emotional Side Effect: Isolation

For an alcoholic, consuming alcohol almost always begins within the context of social events. And at first, an alcoholic may very well seem like a normal drinker. However, the disease of alcoholism is progressive, which means that an alcoholic may go from drinking only at social occasions, to drinking in the week, to drinking while on the job, for example. At the stage of alcohol dependency, the alcoholic will appear to need alcohol in order to function, and that can entail drinking in isolation from others. Drinking then becomes a way to relieve an acute craving rather than something that is done socially.

Mental Side Effect: Memory Loss

It is not uncommon for alcoholics to experience memory loss, either in the severe case of complete blackouts or to a lesser degree in the case of short-term memory loss that occurs over time. This is because alcohol affects the brain in a profound way. While the medical community is divided as to what the long-term effects of alcohol abuse are on the brain, what is clear is that heavy drinking can have far-reaching effects on memory retention. Drinkers who experience blackouts typically drink too much, too quickly, which causes their blood alcohol levels to rise too quickly.

Physical Side Effect: Withdrawals

Alcoholics crave alcohol on both a physical and mental level. In the advanced stages of alcoholism, drinkers may experience “the shakes,” which are uncontrollable tremors that occur in one or multiple areas of the body. These shakes are characteristic of alcohol withdrawal and may be so severe that an alcoholic may be prohibited from performing everyday tasks without needing to first alleviate their craving by consuming more alcohol. For this reason, treatment for alcohol addiction usually begins with a thorough detox process.

Spiritual Side Effect: The Search for an External Solution

Many alcoholics, like addicts share the common experience of not being able to deal effectively with uncomfortable emotions like hurt, disappointment or anger. As a result, many substance abusers, whether knowingly or unknowingly, go in search of an external solution to an internal problem. For this reason, Alcoholics Anonymous focuses on providing a spiritual or internal solution in the form of a 12-step programme that essentially, becomes a new way of life for alcoholics after treatment.

If you or a loved one is in search of help for alcoholism, know that help is readily available. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll support you in your journey.

Sources:

BusinessTech

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Alcohol.org

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Normal Eater, Emotional Eater, Food Addict

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Home / News / Archive by category "Articles" (Page 94)

Normal Eater, Emotional Eater, Food Addict

19 November, 2019Articles, News

NORMAL EATERS may have problems with weight (even obesity) if they do not eat the appropriate number of calories (and exercise moderately) to maintain an ideal, healthy weight. The problem for normal eaters is primarily physical: If they choose to eat a balanced diet, exercise moderately, and get support for lifestyle changes, they can lose unwanted weight (or gain weight) and keep their weight in a normal range. Basically, willpower works; just put down the fork and push away from the table.

EMOTIONAL EATERS often have similar problems with weight but find themselves powerless to follow directions to lose (or gain) weight and restore their health even when they want to. For those with diagnosable eating disorders – i.e., anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder – the underlying problem is mental-emotional: it’s not what you are eating but rather what is eating you. Problem eaters use food to numb or medicate their feelings. What works for problem eaters is a moderate food and exercise plan, as well as developing skills to cope with feelings.

FOOD ADDICTS become chemically dependent on specific foods or on food in general. The way their body processes food is bio-chemically different than that of normal eaters and emotional eaters. Many food addicts are predisposed to becoming addicted to food– especially to sugar, flour, wheat, fat, salt, caffeine – just as alcoholics are predisposed to being chemically dependent on alcohol and drug addicts to heroin, cocaine or prescription drugs. As the disease of addiction progresses, food addicts become powerless over physical cravings and develop distortions and obsessions of the mind that keep them in denial.

SO, WHAT WORKS FOR FOOD ADDICTS?

Diets alone don’t work. Simple therapy alone does not work. What works for food addicts is surrender. Surrendering, through physical abstinence, the foods to which they are chemically dependent. Surrendering to rigorous honesty with all their thoughts and feelings about food. Surrendering to whatever structure and support is needed. Ultimately, surrendering to the process of a spiritual experience, i.e., the type of psychic change that has given relief and healing to thousands of chemically dependent individuals.

Most food addicts have weight problems – the majority are obese, though some are a normal weight or may even be dangerously underweight. Many also have unresolved emotional trauma similar to those who are diagnosed with eating disorders, e.g. anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder. In short, most food addicts have problems similar to those of normal eaters and problem eaters, but for food addicts, their addiction to food must be the primary focus.

If food addicts just diet, they may lose some weight but inevitably will gain it back. If food addicts do not commit to being rigorously honest preferably with another food addict or with a healthcare professional that understands food addiction – they may make some gains in therapy, but will eventually relapse; this will make them even more anxious or depressed. To be successful in healing from food addiction, one needs to first accept that they are food addicted and then, once again, deal with this first.

Most successful, long-term recovering food addicts approach their physical abstinence and deeper internal healing as a spiritual discipline. One simple approach to this concept is to study and practice the Twelve Steps. While this clearly is not the only way – as there are an endless number of spiritual paths that will work – the Twelve Steps are a spiritual practice specifically designed for those who suffer from addiction.

NORMAL EATER, EMOTIONAL EATER, FOOD ADDICT
NORMAL EATER (problems of obesity)	EMOTIONAL EATER (eating disorders)	FOOD ADDICT (chemical dependency)
The Problem is Physical: Excess Weight	The Problem is Physical and Emotional: Binge eating, restricting, and/or purging over feelings Unresolved trauma And possible weight issues (either over-or- underweight)	The Problem is Physical and Emotional and Spiritual: Abnormal response to specific foods Physical cravings (false starving) Mental obsession (false thinking) Self-will run riot (false self) And often trauma and weight issues
The Solution is Physical: Medically approved diet Moderate exercise Support for eating, exercise and lifestyle change	The Solution is Emotional: Develop skills to cope with feelings other than with restricting, purging or bingeing Resolve past emotional trauma and irrational thinking (healing trauma) . . . and Physical Include solutions to the left	The Solution is Spiritual: Abstinence from binge foods and abusive eating behaviours Rigorous honesty about all thoughts and feelings A disciplined spiritual program, e.g. the 12 Steps . . . and Emotional and Physical Include all those applicable to the left
Using What Process? Willpower	Using What Process? Moderation (along with expressing feelings)	Using What Process? Surrender, i.e., deep acceptance
© Copyright 1997 by Philip R. Werdell & Mary Foushi. Edited by A E Heald 2009