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It can be a challenge to quit drinking alcohol, especially for long-time users. However, quitting drinking will significantly improve your mental and physical well-being. Read on to understand the negative impacts of alcohol and the benefits of quitting drinking for good.
If you or a loved one may be struggling with substance use and addiction, it is important to seek addiction treatment in Orlando as soon as early warning signs arise.
What Are the
Negative Impacts of Alcohol?
There are numerous ways in which alcohol can negatively impact your life and it is important to understand the risk of drinking. Those who drink are at a greater risk of experiencing health complications and dysfunction in their normal life. The reasons to not drink alcohol greatly surmount the reasons to drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol on a regular basis leads to problems in your life such as:
Physical Health Issues
Alcohol has a significant effect on a person’s physical health. Drinking regularly can lead to:
- Liver damage
- Heightened risk of cancer
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Pancreatitis
- Weakened immune system
Mental Health Issues
While drinking has a negative impact on your physical health, it can also lead to mental health problems. Some of the ways alcohol affects your mental health include:
- Anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Mood fluctuation
- Memory loss
- Dementia
Addiction
After using alcohol for an extended period of time, people may develop an alcohol addiction. Many people use alcohol as a coping mechanism or as a way to boost their mood. Following alcohol use, people will experience a depressive period that will leave them feeling worse than before. In order to avoid this depressive period, people will drink more to feel normal. This cycle is extremely dangerous as it leads to addiction and dependency.
What is the
Timeline for Quitting Alcohol?
Change occurs when undergoing alcohol detox in Orlando. People will experience withdrawal symptoms for a period of time. Not everyone will be afflicted by the same symptoms, but researchers have noted a predictable pattern of withdrawal stages.
0-6 Hours
Depending on how long a person has used alcohol, moderate to severe symptoms may occur after the last drink.
6 Hours
After 6 hours, long-time users may experience seizures which go away after 2-3 days.
22 Hours
At this point, people will exhibit moderate symptoms such as:
- Difficult sleeping
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Changes in appetite
24 Hours
Long-time users may have hallucinations that last 1-2 days.
36 Hours
More severe symptoms may begin to show around 36 hours after the last drink. Symptoms include:
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Restlessness
- Nightmares
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
48 Hours
After about 48 hours, those struggling with long-term alcoholism suffer from delirium tremens (DT). Delirium tremens is characterized by:
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Altered consciousness
- Changes in body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure
4 Days
Minor withdrawal symptoms begin to fade.
6 Days
Moderate to severe symptoms go away between days 5-7.
1 Week
Hallucinations disappear for most. Some may experience hallucinations for up to a month.
2 Weeks
Delirium tremens lessen.
What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?
When you quit drinking alcohol, you will begin to notice positive changes in your body. Quitting alcohol may reverse the negative impacts it has had on your mental and physical health. After only a few days, you will notice the benefits of quitting alcohol.
In order to avoid causing further harm to your body, find ways to avoid drinking alcohol. Quitting drinking leads to the following:
- Better sleep
- Improved skin
- Lowered risk of cancer
- Healthier weight
- Enhanced immune system
- Improved mental health
- Improved memory and concentration
- Lower risk of cardiovascular problems
What Are Some
Tips for Saying No to Alcohol?
Avoiding drinking can be hard for many, especially if they are recovering from alcohol addiction. Many social situations encourage drinking, so it is important to know how to say no. If you find it hard to say no to drinking, it is important to look into treatment options.
Be Firm
Do not allow yourself to be coerced into drinking. If someone offers you a drink, be firm in saying that you will not be drinking alcohol. If you allow yourself to have just one drink, it can drag you back into the hole of alcohol addiction. Reassure yourself about your reasons for not drinking when it gets hard.
Have a Support System
Talk to a friend or family member to inform them of your situation and ask for some help. Having an accountability partner goes a long way. Quitting drinking can feel impossible on your own so it is critical that you have a support system.
Set Goals and Stick to Them
Set achievable goals for yourself, even if they are small. List your reasons for not drinking alcohol and keep them with you on your phone or a piece of paper. Use this list to create objectives that you plan to accomplish.
Plan Ahead
Before going out somewhere, make sure you are prepared to handle temptation. Try to avoid going to places that encourage drinking because this will only make it harder. If you are attending something like a party or wedding, make sure there are non-alcoholic beverages.
Receive Treatment at Orlando Treatment Solutions Today
Here at Orlando Treatment Solutions, we are dedicated to making sure that our clients receive top-of-the-line care throughout the recovery process. Recovery can be one of the most difficult experiences of a person’s life, and it is crucial to find a treatment center that cares about you.
If you or a loved one may be suffering from alcohol addiction, don’t hesitate to contact us and set up a treatment plan today!
Years of experience
Our leadership team has extensive experience in dual-diagnosis treatment and is ready to help those who are struggling with substance use and mental health.
Specialists
Our staff consists of many licensed addiction and mental health treatment facilitators and other staff who are ready to share their experience and their success.
Happy patients
Orlando Treatment Solutions has helped over 2,000 people who have struggled with substance use (alcohol and drug addiction) and mental health find freedom.
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Reaching out to Orlando Treatment Solutions may be the most important call of your recovery process. A caring professional is waiting for your call to be your guide to addiction-free living.