Millions of people who drink alcohol never fall victim to the perils of alcohol addiction but those who do know firsthand the consequences and the dangers that come from this potentially fatal disease. Chronic alcohol abuse is often the first sign of alcohol addiction and, if left untreated, will often progress to a stage of physical and psychological dependence on alcohol that is both difficult and dangerous to treat. Chronic alcohol abuse has potentially deadly consequences and can lead to life threatening illness.
Consequences of Chronic Alcohol Abuse
Many consequences exist whenever any substance is abused. The severity of the consequences that can be associated with substance abuse depend largely on the type of substance that is being used. For instance, alcohol abuse can lead to a number of problematic conditions and consequences including DUI, trouble with the law, financial instability, loss of a job, loss of productivity, trouble in school, relationship problems and a number of health problems.
The level and severity of the consequences that each individual who drinks will suffer from depend on each unique situation. For instance, some people never drink and drive. As a result, those people may never have to deal with the consequence of a DUI but they could very well have legal troubles such as public intoxication or a similar charge. Those who have children can get into trouble for being drunk around their children and may even lose their kids to child protective services—on the flipside, an individual who drinks chronically and does not have children will never suffer this consequence.
Health Concerns Associated with Chronic Alcohol Abuse
For an individual’s health, chronic alcohol abuse can lead to a number of potentially dangerous conditions including disease, mental illness, liver damage, kidney damage, organ failure, heart problems, hypertension and many other problems. It is not uncommon for an individual who abuses alcohol to have complete liver or kidney failure and to require dialysis in order to continue to live. Many long term drinkers find that their organs are so damaged as a result of the alcohol consumption that they must undergo long-term, life-long treatment to stay alive.
Organ failure isn’t the only major health concern associated with chronic alcohol abuse. Patients who abuse alcohol chronically are likely to suffer from various forms of psychological illness too. Anxiety and depression are very common among people who regularly abuse alcohol. In fact, the rate of suicide goes up very significantly for those who abuse alcohol for a prolonged period of time as well as for those who drink chronically.
Help for Sufferers of Alcohol Abuse
If you know someone who suffers from alcohol abuse, it’s important to seek immediate help. There are treatment programs, addiction recovery methods and specialized care plans which have been developed to assist those who are addicted to alcohol in getting sober, staying sober and living a healthy life. Rehabilitation programs and treatment programs that specialize in treating alcohol addiction can help those who are addicted to alcohol or who abuse alcohol regularly to get back on track and to stay sober.
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