From liver disease to heart problems, cancer to obesity, alcohol consumption leads to a variety of health problems over time that can be fatal. Contrary to what most people understand or believe, addiction and abuse are Not the only risk one is exposed to while drinking. Drinking alcohol “in moderation” also has adverse health effects. In order for people to be as healthy as possible, it is important that they drastically reduce alcohol consumption or even eliminate it from their lives altogether.
Four alarming truths about alcohol
Most people know that excessive drinking is extremely harmful. But that’s just one part of the story. Even if it is not often thought that way, any Alcohol consumption is harmful. Even if consumed in moderation, alcohol is a burden on the human body, especially if you drink it regularly over a long period of time.
While moderate alcohol consumption has normalized (and in some ways even expected or implied in American culture), significant research shows that Americans and people around the world experience adverse health effects from alcohol consumption.
Here are four alarming truths about alcohol:
1). According to an article published in Addiction magazine, half a percent of all Deaths in America are caused directly by alcohol. Remember, these are not alcohol-related deaths that are much higher. These are just the deaths that are directly attributable to alcohol. According to the data, around 85,000 people die each year in North and South America as a result of direct alcohol consumption. Alcohol-related liver disease was the main cause of death in these cases, but alcohol-related neuropsychiatric diseases were also an important factor. Of any country in the Americas, the United States, Brazil, and Mexico had the highest incidences of alcohol-related mortality.
2). According to the World Health Organization, about 5% of global deaths are due to alcohol. These include deaths where alcohol was the main cause and deaths where alcohol was a contributing factor. That’s about 3 million deaths from alcohol consumption every year. According to the WHO, alcohol causes more than 200 different diseases and injuries, more than 5% of the global burden of disease and injury can be attributed to alcohol, and in the age group of people between 20 and 39 years, alcohol accounts for about 13% of the population Deaths responsible.
3). Several studies have found that alcohol consumption is directly linked to cancer. Even consuming alcohol in moderation increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer. According to a French study, Researchers found that if the French were to drink less alcohol, it would prevent about 15,952 new cancer cases in France each year. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has also published extensive information that suggests a link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. According to their research, cancer kills an estimated 526,000 Americans annually, second only to heart disease. Substantial evidence suggests a link between heavy alcohol consumption and an increased risk of cancer, with an estimated 2 to 4 percent of all cancer cases either directly or indirectly caused by alcohol. ”
4). Further research has found a direct link between alcohol consumption and a reduction in life expectancy. According to a Lancet study, People who drink alcohol are less likely to live as long as people who do not drink alcohol. The number of years of life lost increases dramatically the more you drink. For example, those who consume more than 25 drinks a week could expect life expectancy to be reduced by half a decade or more. The study even showed that “low risk” drinking still associated with a shorter service life. The study’s authors cite: “For subtypes of cardiovascular disease other than myocardial infarction there were no clear risk thresholds below which lower alcohol consumption is no longer associated with a lower risk of illness. These data support alcohol consumption limits that are lower than those recommended in most current guidelines. ”
Debunking myths about alcohol
As new information and research continues to show that even moderate alcohol consumption is harmful, the results also serve to debunk some long-standing myths about alcohol. For example:
- Myth: Alcohol is not fatal as it does not cause an overdose like other drugs do.
- Truth: Alcohol causes overdoses. They are usually known as alcohol poisoning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About six people die every day from alcohol poisoning (about 2,200 deaths per year).
- Myth: Alcohol is safe because it is legal.
- Truth: The legality of alcohol alone does not suggest that it is a safe substance. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Approximately 95,000 Americans die each year from alcohol-related causes. Alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States.
- Myth: Alcohol is accepted in society; Hence, it is okay to drink.
- Truth: Much of why alcohol is so accepted in society is because it is heavily promoted and promoted by alcohol manufacturers. Alcohol manufacturers spend approximately $ 2 billion each year advertising and promoting alcohol. All of that advertising and exposure leads to one Look Acceptance and normality. The truth is that alcohol should not be accepted or considered normal as it is because it is extremely harmful.
The Need For Treatment – What To Do If Someone Can’t Control Their Drinking
A World Health Organization document on the global exposure to alcohol cited: “Achieving a reduction in harmful alcohol consumption requires concerted action by countries … effective global governance and appropriate engagement from all relevant stakeholders. By working together effectively, the negative health and social consequences of alcohol can be reduced. ”
The WHO document is correct. Reducing the harmful effects of alcohol consumption does require concerted action throughout all Aspects of public society and life. Since alcohol abuse harms so many aspects of life, it is not enough to simply swear not to drink. One must also do one’s best to help others avoid alcohol abuse and to help those who have already fallen victim to alcohol addiction. For those who are addicted to alcohol and cannot stop drinking, they need help.
Alcohol is harmful no matter what. If someone you care about is drinking alcohol and cannot stop, please contact a professional drug and alcohol rehabilitation center as soon as possible. Get your loved one for help before it’s too late.
