What effects does drinking, taking drugs and smoking excessively have on the physical body?

 What effects does drinking excessively have on the physical body?

Having a drink with friends socially is the cultural norm, it's a way to catch up over a glass of wine with the girls, have a beer with the boys while watching the game or wet the babies head to celebrate the birth of a child .

Having a drink can help steady nerves helping you to feel more confident, maybe you are on a date and feel nervous or need to kick back after a stressful day in the office. All these scenarios are healthy and normal. When drinking becomes unhealthy is when it is done excessively and constantly, particularly over a long period of time, such as 14 units a week consistently over a 15 to 20 year period.

So what are the health concerns that you need to be aware of ?

Increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels , which can contribute to strokes and heart attacks.

Weakened immunity which can lead to an increased rate of infection or illness .

Liver disease , pancreatic concerns or digestive problems as the body is unable to process the excessive toxins .

Low sperm count if trying to conceive as alcohol affects the quality of the sperm .

Affected mood and focus, impairs judgement and coordination making tasks such as driving under the influence not only negatively affecting your health but also irresponsible and of course dangerous.

As a guide the maximum amount of alcohol to be consumed is no more then 10 drinks per week for men and 7 for women.

What effects does smoking have on your physical health?

Smoking is an addiction along with many other things and it can be difficult to stop, as many people who are smokers find that it is very beneficial for calming Stress or sometimes it can be something to do with your hands if you are feeling nervous , as some only smoke socially. Nicotine is also extremely addictive.

There is now vaping which is a better alternative but even that has its own consequences to health.

So what are the effects that smoking has on the body ?

Affects the amount of oxygen getting to the lungs.heart and muscles ,reducing physical fitness .

It causes inflammation in muscles and joints and can cause osteoporosis in bones .

It can cause hair loss and balding .

If you are trying to conceive it can affect fertility as the quality of the sperm is compromised .

A loss of vision is common with smokers due to the damage to the eyes.

Due to the increase in blood pressure the risk of heart disease and clots is evident .

It can cause type 2 diabetes .

Lung disease is very serious and smoking is the most common cause leading to chronic bronchitis and emphysema also.

Finally smoking is the main cause of Cancer , not just in the lungs but throughout the body including the mouth, pancreas and stomach.

What are the affects to your physical health of taking drugs?

Tragically I have seen only too clearly the effects that drugs can have. I've heard terrible stories of families being torn apart due to an addiction with loved ones. Some people I know myself have lost their lives which is obviously devastating for the ones they leave behind.

Taking drugs can be seen as a way to fit in with others socially, or relax the body, some people love the natural highs they can experience which sadly always ends with a low which then leads to a yearning for more and hence the addiction becomes established. The most common reason that young people get addicted is because of a lack of social support and they feel isolated . They may also be curious to experiment to see the effects without realising the potential dangers to their health.

So what are the effects of taking drugs long-term?

They can cause nausea and abdominal pain leading to weight loss and other potentially serious conditions such as Abdominal Cancer.

Due to the extra pressure on the liver , Kidneys and Heart all these organs can be affected which can have disastrous consequences.

Taking drugs like smoking causes dental cavities , gum disease and tooth loss.

Drugs affect brain activity which can lead to brain damage or Strokes .

Due to the highly addictive nature of drugs, Mental health invariably suffers and declines due to the dependency aspect and not feeling you are able to cope without them .

Some ways to help you stop

Avoid the places and people that will encourage you, get new friendships if necessary, surround yourself with people that will help to support you.

Find other ways of dealing with Stress such as Yoga, meditation, taking a walk or exercising .

Distract yourself with other things to help keep you supported

Get professional help as sometimes it's the only way that you will succeed . As with anything though you will only succeed in giving up if you are ready to do so , so do it for yourself first and see how your life improves drastically for the better.

Have a reason to quit, it will help you to focus easier.

Elizabeth Lock      Holistic Therapist 
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