Alcohol Can Be Harmful if Not Consumed in Moderation
Drinking has become a staple in many adult lives. Many tend to go to happy hour after work with their coworkers. Alcohol is often used in many networking events as well. It seems difficult to avoid alcohol no matter where you are. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, some struggle to have a healthy relationship with alcohol.
It is important to note that if you do have a problem with drinking, you should seek professional help from trusted addiction counselors such as the ones at Lifeworks Counseling Center. That being said, it is still important to be conscious of your relationship with alcohol to stay as healthy as possible.
Risks of Alcohol
While many people use alcohol as a way to relax or ease nerves, it is well known for its negative effects. Alcohol not only leads to negative consequences for your mind and body, but it can also affect other areas in your life. Here are some risks that come with drinking:
- Danger to Your Body: Your overall physical health is in danger whenever you drink. Even the smallest doses can lead to noticeable effects. Alcohol attacks your central nervous system, leading to slurred speech, stumbling, and coordination problems. It negatively impacts your heart, liver, pancreas, and brain. Research has also shown that even small amounts of alcohol can increase your risk of cancer.
- Impacts on Your Mental Health: Alcohol actively impacts your mood. It can bring it up or bring it down. It disrupts the brain’s communication pathways. The emotions you feel are much stronger. Your ability to make clear decisions is greatly altered as well.
- Affects Your Relationships: While this is not a bodily effect, it is still a huge worry. You may not think you have a problem with alcohol, but those closest to you may have expressed their concerns. Alcohol can cause you to make bad decisions or act inappropriate. It can even lead you to say things that can ruin friendships or romantic relationships.
Signs of a Toxic Relationship
To truly build a healthy relationship with drinking, you must first be conscious of any signs that indicate you have a bad relationship with it. This way you can pinpoint what areas need to change to see success. This includes:
- You use it to avoid uncomfortable feelings like sadness, anger, or stress.
- It takes priority over your responsibilities.
- You start feeling strong craving and withdrawals.
- You begin to hide your drinking habits from others.
- Loved ones begin to express their concerns.
- You obsessively think about when your next drink will be.
- You experience consistent and worrying consequences due to drinking.
If you experience a combination of these signs, there is a good chance your relationship with alcohol may need to be fixed.
Tips
Alcohol remains a prevalent part of most adults’ lives. Whether in their personal relationships or their professional ones, alcohol is often used as a social factor. It is important to have a healthy relationship with it to maintain these relationships and avoid negative impacts on your life. Here are some tips to help with that:
- Drink in moderation: This is incredibly important. Know your limits. Count your drinks, so you can keep up with how much you are drinking. Also, it is important to be aware of what a standard drink is. The National Institute of Health (NIH) provides a helpful list to better understand your drinks.
- Keep it social: While it is okay to have a glass of wine at the end of the day from time to time, try to save alcohol for social occasions. It can be easy to over-drink by yourself.
- Pick up a hobby: Many people drink when they are bored. By picking up a hobby, you are filling your free time with something productive. You can limit the chances of you wanting to drink.
- Drink lots of water: The general rule of thumb is that for every one alcoholic drink you consume, you should drink one cup of water.
- Don’t make drinking an activity: Alcohol should not be the center of your entertainment. If you are looking to catch up with an old friend, go for a walk or watch a movie instead.
While alcohol does have some health benefits in moderate consumption, it’s negative effects are far more common. There is nothing wrong with consuming alcohol. It has become an important part of socializing for many individuals. However, it is important to build a healthy relationship with alcohol to avoid problems with substance abuse and addiction. If you feel as if you do struggle with addiction or just wish to learn better tips to living with alcohol, contact Lifeworks Counseling Center.
