Medical Complications: Common Alcohol-Related Concerns National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAAA

They feel what they call a ‘sinking’ but they know that wine or some other stimulant will at once relieve the sensation. Thus they seek to relieve it until at last they discover that the remedy fails. Alcoholic beverages relaxes the vessels of the lungs easily as they are most exposed to the fluctuations of heat and cold. When subjected to the effects of a rapid variation in atmospheric temperature, they get readily congested. During severe winter seasons, the suddenly fatal congestions of lungs clearly affect liquorices. Kevin Famuyiro is a Senior Content Strategist at LA Times Studios, curating content by working closely with doctors, scientists and healthcare experts as well as sourcing scholarly-reviewed medical and science journals.

Drinking Patterns

• Regular medical check-ups should include discussions about liver function tests, especially for those who drink regularly.
• While high intrinsic aerobic fitness protected against ethanol-induced hepatic injury and systemic metabolic dysfunction, it did not reduce ethanol-activated hepatic steatosis.
• Understanding which organs are most vulnerable to alcohol’s effects can help people make informed decisions about their drinking habits.
• But it is less common in industrialized countries because of routine vaccination against hepatitis B.Chronic hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver that eventually can lead to cirrhosis.
• The health risks of alcohol tend to be dose-dependent, and the likelihood of certain harms, such as cancer, begin at relatively low amounts.6 Even drinking within the U.S.
• Even one night of heavy drinking can weaken your body’s natural defense system.
• This can eventually lead to alcoholic pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas with severe complications.

Alcoholic hepatitis occurs in about 35% of heavy drinkers, while 20% develop cirrhosis. The liver can still function with some damage, but scarring impairs its ability to process nutrients, drugs and toxins. Damaged liver cells attempt to regenerate in an inflammatory environment, creating a cycle of damage and repair that increases the likelihood of DNA mutations.

What Causes Alcoholic Hepatitis?

A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for managing alcoholic hepatitis and other liver diseases, ensuring comprehensive care and better outcomes. Recovery.com combines independent research with Substance abuse expert guidance on addiction and mental health treatment. Our mission is to help everyone find the best path to recovery through the most comprehensive, helpful network of treatment providers worldwide.

Addiction Info

Heavy drinking weakens your immune system’s ability to produce and deploy white blood cells, leaving the body more vulnerable to illness. This chronic immune system suppression can lead to more frequent and severe infections, including pneumonia and long term effects of alcohol tuberculosis. Alcohol also interferes with the body’s inflammatory response, hindering its ability to heal and fight off infections. These long-term deficiencies leave people with chronic alcohol problems more susceptible to a range of diseases.

The disastrous forms of confirmed indigestion originate by this practice. See the Resources, below, for guidelines to help clinicians manage pain in patients with or in recovery from substance use disorders. Below are potential alcohol-related medical complications by body system. The endocrine system consists of hormone-producing glands in the body. These hormones influence various functions, including growth, metabolism, and breathing. By Geralyn Dexter, PhD, LMHCDexter has a doctorate in psychology and is a licensed mental health counselor with a focus on suicidal ideation, self-harm, and mood disorders.

Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins supports liver health, while proper hydration and regular physical activity improve overall metabolic function. Regular medical check-ups should include discussions about liver function tests, especially for those who drink regularly. Severe abdominal swelling, known medically as ascites, often develops as fluid accumulates.

The elements of the muscular fiber are replaced by fatty cells or, if not so replaced, are themselves transferred into a modified muscular texture in which the power of constriction is greatly reduced. If you’re concerned about your drinking, getting a professional’s perspective is a great place to start. Addiction treatment specialists can perform an initial evaluation to determine the severity of your use, assess your need for treatment, and point you in the right direction.

• Alcoholic hepatitis is a form of alcohol-related liver disease, which can progress to chronic liver disease if heavy drinking continues.
• Alcohol also interferes with the body’s inflammatory response, hindering its ability to heal and fight off infections.
• In cases of poisoning by diverse poisonous compounds, we analyze liver as if it were the central depot of the foreign matter.
• The pulmonary or respiratory system includes the lungs, diaphragm, and trachea.

Researched, fact-checked and transparent articles and guides that offer addiction and mental health insight from experts and treatment professionals. Alcohol can cause abnormalities in the blood cells in several ways, including nutritional deficiency, marrow toxicity, and liver disease. Every person has their own reasons for drinking or wanting to reduce their alcohol consumption. Depending on how much you have been drinking, your body may experience physical and psychological changes as you reduce your intake, known as withdrawal. Whether you’re a light, moderate, or heavy drinker, alcohol can reduce bone mass.

25 Best Sobriety Quotes To Help You Stop Substance Abuse

Maintaining a positive outlook helps us nurture resilience and find hope for brighter days ahead. This quote carries a beautiful message of hope in tough times. Even when we face challenges in recovery, we must remember that light and better days are on the horizon. Cultivating hope allows us to overcome obstacles and find joy in our journey.

Best One Year Sober and Addiction Recovery Quotes

We can learn much from these people, who express life’s pain, struggles, and joys with such beauty, no matter the medium. It takes a concerted effort to get your mind off addiction. Put in the work to achieve successful sobriety, and you won’t be disappointed.

Sobriety Quotes – Quotes for Sobriety Anniversary

Accepting what is can lead us down a path of fulfillment and authenticity. This quote reminds us that our struggles and imperfections are part of what makes us human. Embracing our brokenness allows us to welcome growth and healing into our lives.

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• This quote highlights the transformative power of overcoming challenges.
• In sobriety, daring to dream opens doors to new possibilities.
• There is no doubt about it—your confidence will go up once you stop drinking alcohol.
• By confronting our fears and stepping out of our comfort zones, we foster resilience and set ourselves on a path of personal development and recovery.

At Landmark Recovery, we’ve built a reputation for treating individuals seeking help for drug and alcohol addiction. You’re not just a number to us; our team of dedicated medical professionals is waiting to greet you with compassion, understanding and respect. It takes toughness to make it through the pain of drug and alcohol detox. One of the safest ways to rid toxins from one’s body is to enter a treatment center that is experienced with detoxification.

Reminiscing on your positive recovery progress by reading the inspirational road to recovery quotes is a terrific way to stay motivated and optimistic about your success. Sharing sobriety quotes during recovery from addiction can provide much-needed encouragement to keep progressing each day sober. Celebrating sobriety anniversary quotes is a great inspiration. Sobriety can be a challenging journey, but it is also a time of growth and hope.

• The positive changes that arise when we conquer alcohol addiction show how much better life can be.
• The daily battle for sobriety is an all-too-familiar struggle for many recovering addicts.
• Using funny inspirational quotes has been a part of modern society for hundreds of years.
• In sobriety, the transformation happens within us, shaping our responses and outlook.

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline Estimator

Actor Morgan Freeman says failure is a part of life, sober as a sayings a quote that could empower someone to maintain sobriety. Addiction can feel like a shameful secret, a place of isolation, a mark of failure. But some of the world’s most successful celebrities have struggled with the same urges and overcome them. Many have shared their experiences of despair, self-destruction, resilience, and recovery to inspire others fighting similar battles and to assure them they’re not alone.

Embracing this mindset empowers us to navigate difficulties with grace and determination. This quote teaches us that true happiness is a result of our efforts and choices. In sobriety, we find fulfillment when we engage in actions that align with our values and goals. By choosing positivity, nurturing relationships, and focusing on growth, we create our own happiness.

Celebrity Recovery Stories

• By sharing our experiences and offering encouragement, we create a community that fosters hope and healing for everyone involved.
• Wherever you are on your journey, motivational quotes and affirmations can give you a boost of encouragement to keep going.
• Many have shared their experiences of despair, self-destruction, resilience, and recovery to inspire others fighting similar battles and to assure them they’re not alone.
• Use our proud sober anniversary quotes to encourage a loved one to stay on the path to recovery and better health.

Sobriety means living a healthy and fulfilling life free of addictive substances. Actress Demi Lovato shares a powerful sobriety quote about accepting help from loved ones. This quote motivates us to pursue our dreams, no matter how big they may seem. In sobriety, envisioning our goals empowers us to take the necessary steps to achieve them.

• This quote highlights the importance of consistency in achieving our goals.
• During recovery from addiction, there are often times when we need a boost to start our day or give us motivation to keep on going.
• Thank you for reviewing our motivational, inspirational, funny, and sobriety anniversary quotes.
• Our goal is to better understand people’s struggles and the rewards they can achieve through sustained effort and commitment to recovery.

Resilience and Overcoming Obstacles Quotes

By taking that initial step, we open the door to a transformative path ahead. Each step we take strengthens our resolve and leads us toward a brighter future. This quote highlights the transformative nature of challenges. As we grow through Drug rehabilitation our struggles with sobriety, we cultivate inner strength and resilience.

I love this inspirational sobriety quote from Mary Karr because I know that it absolutely describes me. Drug and alcohol addiction is a complex issue that affects not only the individual but also their social circles. That’s why the most effective addiction treatments focus on building a strong support system involving healthcare professionals and caring loved ones. If you’re on the path to recovery and sobriety, you understand that it’s a demanding journey. Recovery motivational quotes containing self-love and how to be proud are one of the greatest ways of inspiring us to continue the fight against the disease of addiction. Glancing at a well-phrased truth can propel us forward after keeping us from falling.

Meth Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Detox Treatment for Meth Addiction

The full impact of illicit substances, like meth, however, stems from a wider range of sources than just the substance’s chemical reactions. You’ll definitely want to consider consulting a medical professional first if you also intend to stop using other substances you’ve been mixing with meth. This is especially important for alcohol, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), GBL (gamma butyrolactone), or benzodiazepines, as these can be dangerous to stop using on your own. When you stop using meth, though, your brain is left without enough dopamine or serotonin, causing withdrawal symptoms.

Is It Possible to Detox From Meth Without Rehab?

• When people think of “side effects” of something, they often think of the direct way that a substance or medication changes systems within your body.
• Appetite and sleep patterns usually return to normal after a few months without meth.
• Using meth is dangerous for your physical and mental health, and can lead to an overdose followed by stroke, heart attack, organ failure, and death.
• Meth addicts can often stay awake for days or weeks on end, and may crash for two to three days in between long bouts of awakeness.
• This makes it more and more difficult to simply stop taking the drug.

Some can affect your physical appearance while others can be fatal. If you use meth while you’re pregnant, you may give birth early or have a baby with a low birth weight. You may use meth to make sex more pleasurable or to lower your inhibitions.

What Does Meth Do To The Brain?

Since there are no approved medications for meth dependence, treatment during medical detox is supportive. Addiction specialists may instead use medication to provide relief of withdrawal symptoms from meth. Treatment may ease the mood symptoms and prevent short-term physical symptoms like tremors, nausea or vomiting. Crystal meth addiction differs from other substance addictions by how quickly it impacts the brain and how strongly the addiction develops for users.

• One of the most concerning psychological effects is methamphetamine-induced psychosis, characterized by delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations, and extreme paranoia.
• Meth caused about 3,700 overdose deaths in 2014, and almost 4,900 overdose deaths in 2015 — a 30% increase from the previous year.
• First, those who have taken meth for longer periods of time will usually withdraw for longer.
• Meth users may see disturbing images and people who aren’t there, hear phantom sounds and voices, and smell odors that don’t exist.
• Unresolved trauma and stress are major factors that can make PTSD worse.

Now is the time to focus on your recovery.

• Methamphetamine use can eventually become so reinforced that it is involuntary.
• Meth reaches the brain quickly when smoked or injected and gives an intense and rapid high.
• In the past, middle-aged white people used this cheap drug most often.
• Common signs of meth addiction are organ failure — particularly of the liver, kidney, lungs, brain, and heart.
• This is a common method of meth use, as it delivers a quick and intense high.

While scarring won’t go away entirely, proper care of the site can help lessen the severity of the appearance. One of the most effective methods meth addiction is through regular hydration through unscented lotions. While these symptoms primarily affect the individual’s mind, they can lead to them hurting themselves and others during their moments of disconnect from reality. All of these factors compound into the way that meth impacts someone. Now that you have a better understanding of the different sources of “side effects” of meth use, let’s take a closer look at how these differ.

• Usually, people who use crystal meth smoke it with a small glass pipe, but they may also swallow it, snort it, or inject it into a vein.
• While medications can help with symptoms, they are usually most effective when combined with therapy.
• Methamphetamine has been referred to as the most dangerous drug in the world, and the abuse of meth still continues to climb at an alarming rate.
• The goal of treatment is to help you lead a healthy life without using meth.
• Addiction causes changes to the brain that make it difficult for a person to quit using meth.

Legal troubles are also common as meth use can lead to criminal activity like theft, assault, and drug trafficking. Researched, fact-checked and transparent articles and guides that offer addiction and mental health insight from experts and treatment professionals. In this stage, a person’s cravings fade, and symptoms start improving.

Physical Signs of Meth Abuse

Snorting meth takes slightly to give a high but still leads to addiction. Swallowing or ingesting meth in pill form has the slowest effect but leads to a strong dependency. Methamphetamine use disorder is one of the most challenging addictions to treat because of its intense neurological effects. Meth hijacks the brain’s reward system as it floods the brain with dopamine, creating a cycle of craving and use that quickly leads to dependency. Snorting meth can damage the nasal cavity and lead to chronic nosebleeds, in addition to many of the same health risks as other methods of use. This is a common method of meth use, as it delivers a quick and intense high.

Yes, GLP-1 Medications Really Do Reduce Alcohol Cravings, Per A New Study

The future of addiction recovery is becoming increasingly brighter. Through it all, however, be sure to take care of yourself and your mental health. Instead, these are social Substance abuse groups of people who have experienced a similar situation.

Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Whole-Patient Approach and Evidence-Based Strategies

The most common side effects include nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Several subsequent studies have supported the safety of naltrexone in patients with liver disease. A retrospective study that included 2,940 US Veterans who were prescribed naltrexone after a diagnosis of cirrhosis found that only 2% had significant enzyme elevations after starting naltrexone.

How to Treat Alcoholism: De-Addiction Programs, Natural Herbs, and Additional Tips

• Based on the Roussel Uclaf causality assessment method (RUCAM), none of these cases were deemed probable or highly probable of being attributed to drug induced liver injury (Figure 8).
• Your peers can offer understanding and advice and help keep you accountable.
• The goal is to change the thought processes that lead to alcohol misuse and to develop the skills necessary to cope with everyday situations that might trigger alcohol misuse.
• Outpatient treatment provides daily support while allowing the person to live at home.

You don’t have to wait until you’ve reached your what is alcohol abuse lowest point. Some tips can assist you in starting on the path to healing right away, whether your goal is to stop drinking or reduce your use to low levels. Acamprosate (brand name Campral) is used to help prevent a relapse in people who have successfully achieved abstinence from alcohol. It’s usually used in combination with counselling to reduce alcohol craving.

Step 5: Offer your support

Alcohol dependence is often accompanied by certain mood or mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety. Along with your treatment for AUD, you may need to seek medical care for other complications you experience. If you or someone you know is living with AUD, many treatment options are available.

As a result, patients are able to handle stressful situations and various triggers that might cause another relapse. Behavioral therapies can also enhance the effectiveness of medications and help people remain in treatment longer. For people with addictions to drugs like stimulants or cannabis, no medications are currently available to assist in treatment, so treatment consists of behavioral therapies. Treatment should be tailored to address each patient’s drug use patterns and drug-related medical, mental, and social problems. Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your health care provider or mental health provider. For serious alcohol use disorder, you may need a stay at a residential treatment facility.

Which behavioral therapies can treat alcohol use disorder?

It can cause changes to the brain and neurochemistry, so a person with an alcohol addiction may not be able to control their actions. Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is a disease that affects people of all walks of life. Experts have tried to pinpoint factors like genetics, sex, race, or socioeconomics that may predispose someone to alcohol addiction. Psychological, genetic, and behavioral factors can all contribute to having the disease. Stopping drug use is just one part of a long and complex recovery process. When people enter treatment, addiction has often caused serious consequences in their lives, possibly disrupting their health and how they function in their family lives, at work, and in the community.

• The therapy focuses on identifying the pros and cons of seeking treatment, forming a plan for making changes in one’s drinking, building confidence, and developing the skills needed to stick to the plan.
• Your doctor can help you determine whether support groups may help your AUD.
• For example, antidepressants, if someone with an alcohol addiction were self-medicating to treat their depression.

Why Choose American Addiction Centers?

You may also want to see if other family members and friends want to be involved. This can depend on several factors, such as how serious the situation is or how private the person may be. Realize that you can’t force someone who doesn’t want to go into treatment. Imagine yourself in the same situation and what your reaction might be.

Treatment Options

You occupy a clinic, hospital, or detox facility full-time. During your withdrawal, you will receive 24-hour medical supervision. Health professionals track your progress for an effective outcome. Recovery from alcohol addiction can be a complex and lengthy process.

Could these medications actually be used to treat AUD?

• It’s important that each person get involved in a recovery program that will support long-term sobriety.
• It can cause changes to the brain and neurochemistry, so a person with an alcohol addiction may not be able to control their actions.
• Below are samples of e-health tools developed with NIAAA funding.

Please call us at to learn more about your treatment options, ask any questions you may have, and find out how we can help you, or your loved one, start the path to recovery today. The survey also provides research-based information about the physical and psychosocial effects of alcohol, and how to reduce the risk of alcohol-related problems. Alcoholism is a term used to describe someone with an alcohol use disorder. Someone with alcoholism has both a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms, Detox, Timeline, & Treatment

It may feel hard to talk honestly to your doctor about your alcohol use. Remember that their goal is to help you get healthy, not Cure for Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms judge you. Once they understand your drinking history, they’ll be better able to suggest treatments that could help you. They may include hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t there). The main management for severe symptoms is long-acting benzodiazepines — typically IV diazepam or IV lorazepam. But treatment varies based on the severity of alcohol withdrawal and the likelihood that it could progress to severe or complicated withdrawal.

Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Professional guidance ensures a safer and more comfortable detox. Recognizing misuse patterns is often the first step toward addressing addiction and preventing severe withdrawal. By understanding the different drinking behaviors, people can seek help before alcohol dependence worsens. However, even mild symptoms can intensify if alcohol use continues or if medical supervision is not sought. Recognizing and responding to these symptoms early can prevent complications and ensure a smoother detox process. Those with severe symptoms need to remain in the hospital for part or all of the detox process.

• Alcohol consumption depletes thiamine (Vitamin B1), folate, and magnesium, leading to neurological and metabolic complications.
• Here are a few ways that people can care for withdrawal symptoms.
• Work with a healthcare provider if you are considering stopping medication for anxiety or depression.
• It’s also important to note that delirium tremens can be life-threatening.
• If you or your loved one shows any serious withdrawal symptoms, get medical help right away.

Anticonvulsive Medication

When we stop ingesting these substances, our bodies go into withdrawal and experience the painful symptoms of detoxifying the substance from the bloodstream. An everyday example of this is caffeine; many of us who are coffee-drinkers know what it feels like to miss our morning cup of joe and find ourselves with a headache during the day. If you have withdrawal symptoms from drinking, then you have consumed enough alcohol to damage other organs. Your doctor will want to evaluate you for alcohol-related damage to your liver, heart, the nerves in your feet, blood cell counts, and gastrointestinal tract. Your doctor will assess your nutritional status and check for vitamin deficiencies.

The Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline

The main ways to prevent alcohol withdrawal are to avoid alcohol altogether or to get professional help as soon as possible if you think you’re developing alcohol use disorder. Your healthcare provider will recommend and encourage treatment for alcohol use disorder. For mild alcohol withdrawal that’s not at risk of worsening, your provider may prescribe carbamazepine or gabapentin to help with symptoms. It affects about 50% of people with alcohol use disorder who stop or significantly decrease their alcohol intake. AUD is the most common substance use disorder in the U.S., affecting 28.8 million adults. Clear Recovery Center’s Virtual IOP provides clients with therapeutic support for burnout, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue and stress.

What are the risk factors for alcohol withdrawal?

If you’re managing your withdrawal at home, you can take steps to help ease your recovery. Even so, it’s best to reach out to your doctor or loved ones for support and guidance. If you or your loved one shows any serious withdrawal symptoms, get medical help right away. But if symptoms worsen, seizures are most likely to strike 12 to 48 hours after you quit. There are many support options available that can help guide you through alcohol withdrawal, as well as abstaining from alcohol after withdrawal. People who drink daily or almost every day should not be left alone for the first few days after stopping alcohol.

• It’s important that you don’t try to go through the symptoms of the initial withdrawal period alone.
• Eating healthy foods, trying to get exercise, and getting enough sleep can help reduce some withdrawal symptoms, such as mood swings.
• If a person has alcohol use disorder, their body gets used to a certain amount of alcohol in their system.
• The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, and elevated heart rate, which appear within 6–24 hours after the last drink.
• The risk of withdrawal symptoms depends on the duration and quantity of alcohol consumption, with heavier and prolonged use increasing the likelihood of experiencing withdrawal.

These will depend on how much alcohol they drank, their body type, sex, age, and any underlying medical conditions. The most well-known example of a peer support program that helps people with alcohol addiction is Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA. This original 12-step program has helped many people get the support they need Twelve-step program to stay sober after they stop drinking alcohol.

• Individuals experiencing alcohol withdrawal or seeking to address their alcohol use can access a variety of support systems and resources.
• If you’re getting through alcohol withdrawal at home, here’s what can help.
• Individuals at risk should gradually reduce alcohol intake under medical supervision, using a tapering schedule and possibly medications to safely manage withdrawal symptoms.
• Symptom-triggered therapy with benzodiazepines remains the cornerstone of management.
• Delirium tremens (DTs), which can occur between 48–72 hours after the last drink, is the most dangerous stage.

Does Alcohol Detox and Rehab Really Work?

Treatment options for alcohol withdrawal syndrome typically involve supportive care to ease the effects of the symptoms. A doctor can often diagnose alcohol withdrawal syndrome by taking a person’s medical history and performing a physical exam. These homes aren’t considered treatment, exactly, but they do sometimes provide peer recovery support and coaching. Additionally, many people choose to attend a day treatment program and return “home” to a sober living facility so that they’re never without support. This is a fantastic option for people who don’t feel confident returning to where they previously lived while they were struggling with alcohol addiction. Luckily, there are treatment programs available that meet every need and budget.