Life was a mess during active drinking. The pain and suffering wasn’t going any where even while I was using. I hear a lot of people saying the drink or drug freed them from pain but for me the pain was there just allowed me to do lots of negative things. I never wanted to get sober, it was a painful and fun time while active. There wasn’t anything good happening in life everything was just going down hill. When facing life on life’s terms during my active using I would go and drink until I blackout and get real violent. I didn’t know how to handle life or even myself. Once I became honest and accepted the fact I really had a problem that nobody could help me stay sober the door started opening a little. Being patient was a hard one for me I was that angry little boy running and running my whole life and couldn’t stay still. They say if you willing to go to go to any length to stay sober and once I agreed on that I started having hope. Having someone that believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself open my eyes. The darkness was still there but the digging stopped. I had to change everything. I had to ask for help listen to others that been sober for a few 24 hours and start actually living in the day. Gain some courage to do uncomfortable things to get comfortable in my own skin. The guidance of a sponsor through some work of 12 steps and prayers to a higher power helped me take life serious. I am so Grateful that today one day at a time, prayers, reaching out to people asking for help and staying spiritually fit in my program I have a chance today to stay sober. Being in recovery is something new to me but also is a big part of my life today. I have had a few real tough times in my recovery with deaths in my family. Thankful I have tools today that allow me to do something different instead of picking up that drink or drug. When I lost my step dad it put me in a bad place and all I did was cry and cry. I am so glad I have grew up and learned that I am going to have bad days and good days but I as long as I pray to my higher power and talk to someone in recovery that has been there I can survive the day. That is all I have is 24 hours to stay sober. I have hope today faith and love and as long as I keep it in the day and stay humble I have another chance for the next day. So if you are new to the recovery life prayers meditation asking for help going to meetings and doing some action you have another chance to stay sober. If nobody has told you I believe in you. If I can do it you can do it also. Thank You for allowing me to be apart of recovery and service to you.

Let me say this if you are stuck in the depth of addiction; there is help for you. I can say that I first got sober and spent my first nine months of recovery stuck in my home. I was afraid to leave my house, worried I might run into an old buddy, and my daily anxiety was unbelievable. How would I ever bring in a New Year and enjoy what I once lost?

After struggling for nine months and being a dry drunk, I climbed out of my hole and went to Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery is where I found myself and realized I was not walking this walk alone. For the longest, I believed there was no help. Know there is help, and we want to walk this thing we call recovery with you.

At Celebrate Recovery, I found a place that I call home. I feel welcomed, I found my forever family, and I am loved and supported. I now realize that I am not tied down to a title as an addict. My title at Celebrate Recovery is “my name is Melissa, and I am in recovery for drug addiction and alcoholism, and I struggle with depression and codependency. Do you know how great it feels not to be tied down by a title or walk alone?

If you are still struggling with addiction of any form or any hurt, habit, or hang-up, I recommend you look up Celebrate Recovery; thousands are located all over the United States. Please do not sit another day tied down to the addiction that is taking you away from your family. Your family loves you too much to watch you suffer another day.

Written by: Melissa Pena

I am a former nurse and alcoholic in recovery. My mission is to talk about alcohol and its effect on our health, lives, and relationships. Undoubtedly, most people are aware that alcohol can cause stress and conflict in relationships. However, the general public may not understand the extent. Often, being close to alcoholics can change the relationship dynamic, and it’s essential to know how that works so families can help themselves better.

This article is not about demonizing our alcoholic loved ones, it’s about creating more understanding. I was an alcoholic loved one once, and I understand the dark trap of alcoholism. Our friends and families can’t fix us as much as they wish they could. The best thing to do is to understand the relationship dynamic and help yourself sort through the feelings that come up. This often leads to better decisions to help cope with our alcoholic loved ones.

The following are ways that heavy drinking, or alcoholic drinking, affects relationships. If you relate to these relational dynamics, I encourage you to find a therapist or a support system to help you cope. And know that you are not alone.

Silence/ Denial

Most people have heard about the denial that happens in alcoholism. Still, they rarely do family members reflect on how they are also in denial. Often we don’t want to believe what’s happening, so we block it out. Or, the denial inherent in the alcoholic can make us feel we need to cover things up for ourselves and others too.

The biggest issue that denial brings is silence. Many people feel silenced in their relationship with an alcoholic, bringing a feeling of emptiness and frustration. The relationship can often become inauthentic or tense because important things are not being said. This dynamic often leads to relationship breakdown or serious distance.

Frequent arguments or violence

The effect of alcohol on our nervous system is profound, and it can change our behavior and how we perceive things. At the least, heavy drinking causes a lot of conflicts in relationships leading to arguments. At worst, these arguments can lead to violence.

Most people who drink heavily notice some irritability in the later hours of drinking. However, irritability is most pronounced after the person stops drinking for a while. Frequent heavy drinking causes our nervous system to become very unstable, manifesting as violent behavior in some people. Since alcohol can overwhelm a person’s nervous system, it can be challenging to have a reasonable or calm conversation about complex issues.

Resentment

Unfortunately, silence and frequent arguments can cause resentment to build between the alcoholic and the person they’re in a relationship with. This often fuels more resentment and discord. In some relationships, alcohol may be clearly identified as the problem, but sometimes denial makes it difficult to see that.

It’s important to realize that things can become more challenging once resentment sets in. In this case, therapy, healthy distance, and managing your stress levels may help. Unfortunately, the only thing loved ones can do is support the alcoholic from the side, but they rarely can help them change.

Worsening mental health issues in loved ones

Alcohol is known to cause mental health issues in alcoholics. Still, most people don’t realize that the relational effects of alcoholism can affect the mental health of loved ones as well. Alcoholism can leave family and friends very drained, sad, and overwhelmed, fueling mental health problems. Since mental health issues cause a lot of emotional pain, it can further erode the relationship between the alcoholic and the loved one.

Eventually, it becomes a vicious cycle of alcoholism and mental health problems within the relationship. Once things hit this point, it’s imperative to seek help for oneself. Remember, focus on yourself as you are the only one you can help.

These are issues often seen in relationships between loved ones and their alcoholic family member or friend. Unfortunately, heavy drinking has a strong and negative effect on relationships. We ought to be talking about this more to reduce the silence and increase communication.

Again, this is not about blaming our alcoholic loved ones. Instead, it’s about taking responsibility for our own choices, feelings, reactions, and ability to ask for help. The more that family and friends of alcoholics reach out for support, the better off they will be.

You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook.

Gillian May

Former nurse turned writer. Mental health-addictions-trauma-wellness. Book coming soon! Sign up to my newsletter — https://upbeat-trader-4181.ck.page/839d0ab3f9

As many as 16 million adults in the United States struggle with alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction disorders. In order for alcoholism to be treated, it has to first be diagnosed. Knowing and recognizing the signs of alcoholism can be the first step toward personal recovery or the recovery of a loved one.

Common Physical Signs of Alcoholism

Often, when discussing the signs of alcoholism, it is the physical signs that get the most attention. That’s because to the outsider, these are the easiest and most obvious to spot. However, not all those who struggle with alcoholism have the same physical signs.

When individuals are under the influence of alcohol, they might manifest certain physical symptoms. A lack of coordination is common, and they may be prone to more falls or slips than normal. Red, flushed cheeks, even when sitting still, may also indicate the presence of alcohol.

Another very common physical sign of alcoholism is bloodshot eyes. Red lines on the whites of the eye, along with changes to pupil size, can relay a dependence on alcohol as well as the likelihood of a severe hangover.

Changes to Appearance

Things like bloodshot eyes and a lack of coordination can be common signs of alcoholism, but there are many more changes to a person’s appearance that can be clues to addiction. As alcoholism takes over, individuals may worry less about their appearance. Everything from weight to clothing choice can change in a short amount of time.

Drastic and unexplained changes to weight can definitely point to addiction for some individuals. In some cases, individuals who struggle with alcoholism will gain weight. This might be from an increase in alcoholic calories, a decrease in physical activity or an increase in unhealthy foods that might stave off the effects of a hangover.

Losing weight is perhaps even more common among those struggling with alcoholism. Alcohol can be an appetite suppressant, and it can lead to significant health problems. These health concerns, particularly when they are chronic, can lead to malnutrition and a decrease in appetite.

Those dealing with an addiction to alcohol might also start to spend less time on their grooming or hygiene. Someone who normally takes time to put on makeup, or who dresses professionally for work, might start to make changes to save time each day. Some individuals may bathe less frequently and simply stop making their hygiene and their appearance a priority.

Changes to Personality or Mood

In some ways, addiction to alcohol can feel like a roller coaster. When individuals are drinking, they might be outgoing, loud and funny. The next day, they could be sullen, quiet and depressed. There is no denying that alcoholism can impact personality and mood in a number of negative ways.

It is important to note that no two alcoholics have the same personality or suffer from the same types of moods. Instead, the biggest way to tell if a person is dealing with alcoholism is to look for the changes.

An outgoing young woman who likes to chat with coworkers and be the life of the party might, over time, transform into a quiet person who exhibits signs of depression. Alcoholism might be the cause of this transformation. Alcohol addiction might also turn a studious, stoic man into a person who is silly, joking and prone to outbursts, as long as he has a drink in hand.

Changes to Social Patterns and Habits

Some of the most common signs of addiction, and of alcohol addiction in particular, can be seen when you look at a person’s social interactions. Alcoholism is an isolating disease, and that can impact how individuals act and interact.

As one example, take a man who is normally a loving husband, son and father. Family might be the center of his world, until alcoholism takes over. Alcoholism could lead to guilt and shame over behavior when drunk, which leads the man to avoid his family members whenever possible.

A woman who has a tight-knit group of friends might spend less and less time with them in favor of nights at the bar. Instead of waking up early to head to the gym with friends, she might be nursing a hangover and feeling too embarrassed to talk about it with anyone. Once again, it is drastic changes to social patterns that will be the biggest red flag that alcoholism is becoming a problem.

Risky Behavior and Avoidance of Responsibilities

The illness of alcoholism can be all-consuming. It means that individuals who are struggling with alcohol addiction will have one overall focus: The procurement and consumption of alcohol. Everything else becomes secondary. Often, this leads to an increase in risky behavior and an abdication of responsibility.

Whether or not alcoholism is involved, most people feel comfortable with various levels of risk. Some individuals love to seek adrenaline and try new things, and others are eager to enjoy stability.

Alcoholism, however, can reduce inhibitions on a regular basis. Individuals may no longer see the benefits of avoiding risk, and their behavior might reflect that. People showing signs alcoholism are more likely to engage in drug use, unsafe sexual behavior or irresponsible and illegal actions. For example, individuals under the influence of alcohol might find it appropriate to drive a vehicle despite being visibly drunk.

Alcohol also impacts how people handle their responsibilities. People dealing with alcoholism are more likely than the general population to avoid their responsibilities, be unaware of their responsibilities or simply ignore the right choice in favor of the more appealing short-term option.

This avoidance of responsibility is why it is so challenging for an alcoholic to hold down a full-time career. Hangovers, the desire to stay out late and drink and the short-term appeal of absenteeism are all factors that can detract from the responsibility of clocking in at work each day.

Recognizing the signs of alcoholism is only the first step. It is also vital that those who struggle with alcoholism get the appropriate treatment and care in a program that targets addiction and encourages sobriety.

Understanding Alcoholism

The term alcoholic is thrown around loosely in modern society, but the casual phrase can be damaging to those who suffer from an addiction to alcohol. Alcoholism is a long-term, often chronic disease where patients are chemically, physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol.

In years past, alcoholism was viewed not as a disease but instead as a defect. Those who were victims of alcohol addiction were considered to be morally bankrupt or lacking self discipline.

In reality, this could not be further from the truth. Alcoholism is not a choice, nor it is something that people can simply decide to end. Just like any other disease, alcoholism needs to be properly treated in order for patients to recover and begin healthy, sober lives.

Causes of Alcohol Addiction

It can be difficult to pin down the exact causes of an addiction to alcohol. For many individuals, alcoholism is a result of several factors that come together. Some of the leading causes of alcoholism include stress, trauma, genetic predisposition, isolation or mental health disorders.

There is a substantial amount of addiction research that points to genetic predisposition as the leading cause of alcoholism. Essentially, this means that some individuals are physically more likely to become addicted than others. While one person may drink alcohol regularly without problems, someone predisposed to alcoholism might become addicted.

It is also important not to ignore the tremendous impact that mental health can have on addiction. There is a significant correlation between alcoholism and mental health disorders, although it is not proven which causes the other. There is no denying that those who struggle with mental health conditions are more likely to become addicted to alcohol.

Some people are drawn to consuming alcohol in large amounts because of personal trauma. They might also drink frequently because of stress, because of feelings of loneliness or because of environmental and social factors that encourage excessive consumption. Over time, drinking alcohol for any of these reasons can lead to alcoholism.

Identifying Alcoholism

Many adults are able to consume alcohol without suffering from alcohol abuse or addiction. However, because alcohol is so frequently consumed by adults, it can be difficult to tell when consumption becomes addiction.

It is important to understand the key ways to identify alcoholism. When the common signs of alcoholism appear, loved ones can take action and help individuals struggling with addiction to get the right help for recovery. A few of the most common ways to identify alcoholism include the following:

• Increased tolerance and the consumption of greater amounts of alcohol
• Drinking alcohol in inappropriate settings
• Inability to avoid alcohol or cut back on quantity
• Inability to stop drinking once starting
• Drastic changes to behavior after drinking alcohol
• Depression or irritability, particularly when not drinking alcohol
• Withdrawal from family and social events
• Failures or problems in career or education

Side Effects of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is not a disease without symptoms. For those addicted to alcohol, the side effects can be devastating. Alcoholism can empty out bank accounts, ruin careers, break up relationships, tear apart families and cause untold physical damage.

Alcoholism can lead to the deterioration of health. Excessive alcohol consumption can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system, causing alcoholics to catch communicable diseases more often and have a harder time getting over them. Alcoholism can also cause liver damage, kidney damage, inflammation of the pancreas and even an irregular heartbeat. Alcohol addictions can lead to decreased fertility for both men and women, and it can cause development problems for babies of women who drink excessively during pregnancy.

Alcohol can also cause or exacerbate mental health problems. Things like depression, anxiety and paranoia are likely to develop or worsen among those who are struggling with an addiction to alcohol.

An addiction to alcohol will mean obsessive thoughts about the procurement and consumption of alcohol, sometimes to the detriment of all else. Personal relationships and family gatherings won’t get the attention they deserve, and careers or ambitions can fall to the wayside. In addition, alcoholism can lead to impaired judgment and risky behavior, potentially causing things like incarceration, sexually transmitted diseases, violence or drunk driving accidents.

Essential Elements of Alcohol Addiction Treatment

By defining alcoholism as an illness, it can be easier to understand the treatment. To effectively treat an addiction to alcohol, a comprehensive approach with a bedrock in evidence-based therapy is necessary.

A detox is often the place where patients begin their journey to sobriety. However, that initial phase is just the first step. Following detox, rehab is where patients can truly begin to make progress toward lifelong sobriety.

Behavioral therapy may be the key to addiction treatment. Individual therapy sessions can treat mental health conditions, reveal underlying trauma and help patients to understand how to prevent relapse from occurring in the future. Holistic therapies can complement evidence-based treatment and may include things like yoga or fitness therapy.

Ongoing Care for Alcoholism

Just like other chronic diseases, alcoholism isn’t something that can be eliminated entirely in a matter of days or weeks. Just as diabetes patients have to monitor their blood sugar levels, so too do alcoholics need to monitor their own sobriety and cravings.

Ongoing care may be necessary for those struggling with alcoholism. This may entail group therapy sessions, 12-step meetings or transitional care. Moderation will likely never be an option, so a commitment to abstaining from alcohol will be vital for lasting sobriety and a healthy life.

Alcoholism is a complex disease that impacts millions. While an addiction to alcohol can be disastrous, there is help. Through alcohol addiction treatment, sobriety and a renewed sense of health and purpose is entirely possible.

Alcoholism is responsible for a number of physical, emotional, psychological and financial problems. For those who want to start a family, alcoholism can also make it difficult to achieve pregnancy. An addiction to alcohol can impact fertility in a significant way, and it can also cause problems that may prevent adults from deciding to raise children together.

Alcoholism and Fertility

Starting a family is a positive and common goal for both men and women. Alcoholism, however, can make it difficult to achieve that goal. In addition to the better known risks of alcoholism during pregnancy, addictions to alcohol can become an obstacle to fertility and conception altogether. This impacts both men and women in different but equally damaging ways.

In small amounts, alcohol has not been proven to have a problematic impact on the production of sperm for men. Men who struggle with alcoholism are heavy drinkers, and this can cause problems in the actual makeup of sperm DNA. This can make fertilization of the egg harder to achieve, and it can also lead to birth defects.

Excessive alcohol consumption among men can also lead to decreased testosterone levels. This wreaks havoc on men’s libido and sperm production. Reduced sperm motility is a significant issue that highlights just how much alcoholism can impact fertility.

Women can also suffer infertility as a direct result of alcoholism. To start, alcoholism can disrupt the menstrual cycle. Many women dealing with alcoholism no longer ovulate regularly, eliminating the likelihood of becoming pregnant.

Abusing alcohol and consuming it in large quantities can also negatively impact the female hormones that are necessary to become pregnant and then sustain pregnancy. Many studies show that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to increases in both the hormone testosterone and the hormone estrogen, and these increased levels make it more challenging for a woman to become pregnant. Finally, alcoholism can lead to malnutrition, because the body can’t properly absorb and use vitamins and minerals. This can inhibit the menstrual cycle and make impregnation even less likely for women.

Alcoholism and Financial Security

Clearly, alcoholism can make it difficult to start a family from a physical viewpoint. In addition, struggling with alcoholism can cause major financial issues that make planning for a family a serious challenge.

To start, alcoholism often leads to procuring alcohol at any costs. Those addicted to alcohol might spend a significant portion of their monthly budget drinking in bars, for example. They may also pay for the drinks of others in order to retain a drinking companion and not feel so lonely while consuming alcohol in public.

Alcoholism also makes it challenging to get or keep a job. Professionals who develop alcoholism may begin to show up late for work or their productivity may decrease. As a result, it is not uncommon for alcoholics to be terminated from their positions, making it even more difficult to pay bills.

Having a child is expensive. The cost of medical bills can be high right off the bat, but even after the newborn comes home there are expenses like diapers, clothing, and college funds to think about. For this reason, alcoholism and being prepared financially for a family rarely go hand in hand.

Alcoholism and Relationships

While it is possible to decide to have children without a partner, many individuals want to be in a relationship, or have the support of friends and family as they embark on this new adventure. Alcoholism, however, can be devastating to personal relationships. Under the influence of an addiction, people can lie, cheat and steal, unknowingly and unwittingly hurting their loved ones.

Anyone who has known a person with a substance abuse problem can understand the risks of starting a family in this condition. Alcoholism can change a person’s behavior, making it difficult to act appropriately or be there for loved ones. Unfortunately, all of these factors can disrupt relationships, making it less likely that men and women feel comfortable enough to start a family in the first place.

How Alcohol Abuse and Addiction Can Impact Pregnancy

If alcoholism can impact fertility, it should also be noted just how much it can actually harm a pregnancy. Drinking alcohol when pregnant may not be inherently bad in small, infrequent doses. For those who are struggling with alcoholism, however, moderation and limited frequency simply aren’t options. This means that alcoholics who are also pregnant can suffer from some serious side effects.

Excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to premature birth, increasing health risks to the baby. It can also lead to growth and development problems, specifically when it comes to the heart, brain and lungs. Birth defects are common among babies born to alcoholic mothers, and things like vision or hearing loss are possible. Worse still, pregnant mothers can miscarry or deliver stillborn babies as a result of their addiction to alcohol.

Tackling Alcoholism in Order to Start a Family

Struggling with alcoholism doesn’t mean that individuals can never start families. To ensure the safest, healthiest children possible, however, it is wise to tackle alcoholism with the necessary treatment before trying to become pregnant.

Men and women who are concerned about the impact that their alcohol addiction can have on their fertility may want to attend a detox followed by a rehabilitation program. Treatment can reverse many of the most problematic health issues that can prevent or harm pregnancy, paving the way to starting a family. Treatment can also make it easier for men and women to handle the stress of pregnancy and family life without relapsing or feeling overwhelmed by stress and expectation.

In many ways, alcoholism can prevent individuals from starting a family. Addiction to alcohol can cause problems that limit fertility, and they can cause health problems to parents as well as birth defects to the child. Treating addiction before starting a family can reduce financial, physical and relationship problems, strengthening families in the process.

Defining Outpatient Treatment

The first step in determining whether outpatient treatment is suitable is learning more about what it entails. To start, it’s important to note that outpatient treatment doesn’t include accommodation. Outpatient care is generally only scheduled for the day or during evenings, and patients spend their nights in their own homes or their own privately arranged accommodation.

Aside from the accommodation, however, outpatient treatment can resemble inpatient treatment in many ways. It’s common for patients in outpatient programs to have schedules for their days, and patients should expect to participate in one-on-one behavioral therapy sessions as well as group counseling. Fitness, music or art therapies can absolutely be a part of an outpatient recovery program.

Outpatient care programs can vary significantly among facilities. In some cases, it can be offered five days a week, encouraging full-time involvement on a regular basis. In other cases, it might be an evening program. Still more facilities offer morning or afternoon programs just a few times each week to better accommodate those with busy schedules.

Outpatient Programs May Appeal to Patients More Than Inpatient Care

One way that outpatient treatment can be beneficial for those struggling with alcoholism is that it’s less restrictive than inpatient treatment. Many individuals understand that in order to recover from an addiction to alcohol, professional treatment is a necessity. However, not all individuals want to commit to 24/7 treatment, particularly if they have family or careers that also need attention.

For that reason, outpatient treatment is an important option to consider. While some individuals might not seek help if inpatient care was the only option, they may take the next step toward recovery if outpatient treatment is on the table. Outpatient care often appeals to independent individuals who don’t want to leave their homes or their lifestyles for extended periods of time.

Outpatient Programs Suitable for Parents and Caregivers

Outpatient treatment programs can be very effective in the battle against alcohol addiction. While they appeal to a wide range of potential patients, they may be an especially appropriate choice for those who have roles as parents or caregivers in the home.

Single parents who want to treat their addiction to alcohol, for instance, may not be able to leave their children for a 30-day inpatient program. However, it may be realistic for these parents to spend five mornings a week in an outpatient program while their children are in school or nursery care.

Many of the people who gravitate toward outpatient programs are also caregivers for older family members. Whether spouses or parents require care, it’s hard to leave them in order to seek help for addiction. Through outpatient treatment for alcoholism, individuals can also prioritize their own health but still spend time at home each day caring for loved ones.

Outpatient Treatment Can Accommodate Work and School

Outpatient treatment for alcoholism may also be an effective means of recovery for those patients who are committed to work or school obligations. For many patients with professional careers, it may be impossible to take an extended period of leave in order to receive 24/7 care. However, fitting in a few hours each morning or evening may be possible.

Outpatient treatment is also appealing to college students who may have flexible schedules but still need to attend classes or lectures at specific times. Outpatient treatment can accommodate these fixed times but still allow patients to receive group counseling, behavioral therapy and a range of other treatments to encourage recovery. Many people who believe that addiction treatment is impossible with their current schedules will find that outpatient programs fit the bill perfectly.

Costs of Outpatient Treatment Can be Lower

Outpatient treatment, by nature, is a less expensive alternative to inpatient care. This is not because the staff are any less professional, or that the program is any less successful. Instead, it’s simply because there’s no need for accommodation, which spares patients this extra expense.

Outpatient programs are also more likely to be entirely covered through health insurance. Any patients who are concerned about the cost of addiction treatment may be interested in exploring outpatient alternatives that minimize costs without cutting back on the level of care, the available therapies or even the quality of medical professionals and therapists on staff.

Outpatient Programs May Encourage Personal Responsibility

One of the biggest benefits of outpatient treatment for alcoholism is that it may be effective in strengthening personal responsibility. Rather than having a transition period from 24/7 inpatient care and accountability to independent living, patients will start taking responsibility for their actions on day one.

This may lessen one of the biggest programs in addiction treatment: how to handle aftercare. Patients who thrive in inpatient programs for 30, 60 or 90 days may be struck with difficulty when they’re living entirely on their own. Outpatient care, on the other hand, is already a transitional phase that enables patients to take responsibility and act appropriately even when spending the majority of their time out of supervised care.

Outpatient care may also reduce the need for transitional living in the form of sober living facilities. Since patients have already proven themselves to be successful at independent living and sticking to a regular schedule of treatment, they’re likely ready to dive back into their lifestyles without sacrificing their independence.

Outpatient treatment can definitely be worth it for the right patients. It’s possible to tackle alcoholism with treatments and therapies and still come home each night. Outpatient programs may be more appealing than the 24/7 nature of inpatient treatment, and they can accommodate a wide range of schedules and lifestyles.

Alcohol and Facial Flushing

Perhaps the most commonly associated trait of a heavy drinker is facial flushing, or a red face. Among some individuals, this is just a rosiness to the cheeks, and it might just look like blushing. Among others, however, it can be a bright red complexion that looks worrying.

Alcohol causes facial flushing by dilating the blood vessels. When this happens, blood can travel closer to the surface of the skin, giving drinkers a red, rosy appearance. Over time, however, this redness can worsen because red spider veins develop on the face, hands and neck. These spider veins aren’t just unsightly, as they can be a sign of liver damage.

Alcohol Can Create Dry, Flaky Skin

Alcohol is a natural diuretic, which means that it encourages liquid to leave the body. Excessive drinking, therefore, can cause extreme dehydration. This is what, in part, leads to the discomfort of hangovers after heavy drinking.

Extreme dehydration, particularly when experienced on a regular basis, can impact the body in many ways. In terms of outward appearance, dehydration leads to dry skin. A heavy drinker might have dry skin that itches, or skin that flakes off. Although moisturizers can help to treat dehydrated, dry skin, abstaining from alcohol and consuming more non-alcoholic liquids will typically be the best form of treatment.

Nutritional Deficiencies Leading to Skin Issues

Alcoholism is often accompanied by a poor diet. Those who drink large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis are far less likely to be consuming healthy diets filled with the necessary vitamins and minerals. Even if individuals are eating a healthy diet, too much alcohol can compromise the absorption of those vitamins.

B Vitamins, for example, are depleted when the body tries to metabolize excess amounts of alcohol. Lowered B Vitamins in the body, however, mean that the circulation system may not be able to deliver the right nutrients to the skin. Similarly, alcohol interrupts the proper absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, impacting the appearance and suppleness of skin.

Skin Infections Resulting from Excess Alcohol Consumption

Skin infections are more common among those individuals who consume excess amounts of alcohol. This can occur because of a lowered immune system, which can allow bacterial and fungal infections to easily take hold.

A lowered immune system happens for several reasons, one of which is because the body has to work harder to metabolize large amounts of alcohol. Excess alcohol consumption also inhibits the absorption of Vitamin C and zinc, both of which are integral to the immune system and the body’s ability to resist skin infections.

How Alcohol Impacts Bruising

Those who are addicted to alcohol, or even those who are heavy drinkers, can experience an increase in bruising. This happens for several different reasons. The first is simply because accidents are more common, and reaction times slower, when under the influence.

Nutritional deficiencies like a lack of Vitamin C can also cause scurvy, which leads to extensive bruising. This can happen because the blood vessels under the skin are weaker, and blood can actually pool behind the skin and result in visible bruising. Individuals who drink large amounts of alcohol may also have a Vitamin K deficiency. This can, in turn, slow down the clotting of blood, making bruises more likely as well as more pronounced.

Alcohol and the Increased Risk of Skin Cancer

Alcoholism and cancer are closely linked, but excessive alcohol consumption tends to be tied to cancers of the digestive system or the mouth rather than skin. However, evidence clearly reveals that heavy drinking increases the likelihood of skin cancer over a lifetime. There are multiple theories about why this is the case, with the strongest relating to spending more time in the sun. Damaged skin may be more susceptible to harsh UV rays from the sun.

Premature Aging Due to Excess Alcohol Consumption

With so many serious, life-threatening side effects of excessive alcohol consumption, premature aging may not seem like a strong deterrent against drinking. However, many individuals are concerned with their appearance, and learning how alcohol can speed up the outward signs of aging might discourage them from heavy drinking in the future.

Premature aging is a direct result of dehydration, particularly over long periods of time. Why? Because dehydrated skin is far more likely to crease and wrinkle than hydrated skin. On a deeper level, excess alcohol consumption generates free radicals, causing the creation of fine lines and wrinkles. Antioxidants can help to fight free radicals, but it is nearly impossible to combat free radicals and premature aging when it’s caused by alcoholism or even periodic binge drinking.

Alcohol, Jaundice and Spotting it on the Skin

In modern times, jaundice is most commonly associated with newborns. However, individuals who have a history of alcohol abuse can also become victims of jaundice. The ailment is caused by alcoholic liver damage, which means that the liver is no longer able to properly metabolize alcohol.

Jaundice can lead to complete liver failure, so it’s important to seek medical attention if it’s noticed. Jaundice can often be spotted easily because it causes a yellow tinge to the skin. Heavy drinkers who notice yellowing skin need to take action right away to prevent further liver damage and health concerns.

Alcohol can affect the human body, including the skin, in many ways. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to increased bruising, yellowing skin, facial flushing, premature aging, infections to the skin, dry skin and many more problems that might serve as a deterrent against heavy drinking. In the end, it’s wise to break free from alcohol addiction in order to return your skin to a healthy condition.

Defining an Addiction to Alcohol

One of the difficulties in identifying and treating addictions to alcohol is defining them. In the United States alone, more than 71% of adults report that they have consumed an alcoholic beverage in the past year, but use certainly doesn’t imply addiction. Generally speaking, moderate alcohol consumption can be defined as two drinks a day for men or one for women.

Beyond moderate use is alcohol abuse, where excessive alcohol consumption becomes a barrier to a healthy, functioning existence. Alcohol consumption may be used to improve mood or alleviate stress, and it may begin to create legal issues, job performance concerns and even safety risks.

Beyond alcohol abuse is alcohol dependence, or addiction. This is the stage where individuals have no reliable control over their need for alcohol. Typical characteristics of someone addicted to alcohol include the inability to refuse a drink, to stop drinking once you’ve started and problems with going more than a day without an alcoholic beverage.

Searching for the Causes of an Addiction to Alcohol

There’s no one specific cause of addiction to alcohol, or any other substance. For this reason, there isn’t any one thing that a person can do to absolutely prevent addiction, beyond abstinence. That being said, there are certainly some factors that can contribute to the formation of an addiction to alcohol, as well as a few reasons why some individuals may be more prone to addiction than others.

There’s some evidence to suggest that addiction may, in some form, be genetic. It isn’t unusual for addiction to alcohol to be passed down through generations. Individuals with parents, grandparents or siblings who are addicted to alcohol may have a higher risk level themselves.

There may also be some psychological traits that make a person more susceptible to addiction. An impulsive personality or a need for approval are two things that could encourage the frequency and quantity of drinking, both of which can speed up the road to addiction. Individuals who are victims of abuse or trauma are also much more likely to be the victims of an addiction to alcohol.

The Role of Mental Illness in Addiction

There’s a staggering overlap between those who are addicted to alcohol and those who struggle with mental illness. This is called comorbidity, or a dual diagnosis, and it means that someone struggles with both a mental disorder and an addiction.

Some people consider mental illness and addiction to be a chicken-and-the-egg scenario. It isn’t clear whether people with mental illnesses are predisposed to develop addictions, or if those who are predisposed to addiction are more likely to end up with a mental illness as a result. Either way, it’s impossible to separate the two. Often, addiction itself is considered to be a mental illness.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to mood disorders such as depression, anxiety and paranoia. Trauma, such as being in a violent accident or growing up with an abusive parent, can also cause both mental illness and a predisposition to an addictive personality. While research may not be definitive, there’s no doubt that the two are closely intertwined and need to be treated together in order for individuals to achieve mental health and sobriety.

How Alcohol Addictions Impact the Nation

When someone you love is addicted to alcohol, or if this is something you struggle with, the addiction can seem intensely personal. It’s impossible to understate, however, the impact that alcohol addictions have on the country at large.

In the United States, alcohol is the fourth most common cause of preventable deaths, and it’s responsible for ending more than 88,000 lives each year. That is in addition to alcohol-induced driving fatalities, which kill another nearly 10,000 people annually.

If you look at alcohol addictions from a legal perspective, you can find it just about everywhere. More than five million adults who were convicted for a crime were under the influence of alcohol at the time the offense took place, and as many of half of those people either struggled with addiction or alcohol abuse. Alcohol misuse also costs the United States more than $249 billion each year, which is money that could be better spent on education, health services or infrastructure.

Treatment for an Addiction to Alcohol

An addiction to alcohol isn’t something that willpower can fix. Addiction is a physical and psychological disorder, and seeking the right help will be crucial for breaking the bonds that bind individuals to their addictions. To treat an addiction to alcohol, the best and most successful course of action will include detox, rehab and the right aftercare services.

Detox is the first step to treating an addiction to alcohol, and it involves the cessation of alcohol and the detoxification of the body from any alcoholic substances. This should be done in a medically supervised environment, and not done on one’s own, in order to best manage the withdrawal symptoms that have the potential to be dangerous and even life-threatening.

After detox, rehab programs offer the tools for individuals to combat addiction. This can involve physical therapy, counseling sessions, group therapy and a range of evidence-based treatment methods. For aftercare, ongoing 12-step programs as well as sober living facilities can be integral to lasting sobriety.

Alcohol addiction is a serious condition that impacts millions of people. By understanding the causes and implications of this addiction, it may be easier to treat.