Can You Reverse the Effects of Alcohol?
Are you wondering if you can reverse the effects and damage caused by alcohol? Whether the usage of alcohol is safe for human health is a complete mystery to lots of individuals. It is true that the usages of alcohol are seen throughout different fields such as medical institutes, religious and cultural events, and other social activities. However, excessive use or abuse of alcohol can lead to brain damage, physical and emotional damage as well as legal issues for a person. The thing is that some of these problems may not arise immediately for the person if he is still young. But according to a survey, the earlier someone starts drinking, the more they are at risk of facing alcohol damage at their later age.
It is true that the usages of alcohol are seen throughout different fields such as medical institutes, religious and cultural events, and other social activities. However, excessive use or abuse of alcohol can lead to some health and legal issues for a person. The thing is that some of these problems may not arise immediately for the person if he is still young. But according to a survey, the earlier someone starts drinking, the more they are at risk of facing alcohol damage at their later age.
Risks of Long-Term Alcohol Abuse
There is a reason why alcohol is prohibited for people under the age of 21. Excessive usage of alcohol has a number of serious risks. It is a necessity for anyone to know about this stuff beforehand. In that way, you can have an idea of what you are getting into or doing. Below, here are some health issues that can be caused by alcoholism:
- Brain Damage
- Ulcers
- Changes in the neural ways of one's brain
- Osteoporosis
- Damage to the brain's neurons in several or all areas
- Liver Issues
- Preventing brain from working properly
- Problems in the cardiovascular area
- The chance of seizure, dementia, brain cancer, and stroke increases.
According to SAMHSA, among many substance uses, alcohol abuse is the most common disorder among people. Unfortunately, most of them do so without knowing the risks. But if you are already doing it and want to reverse the effects of alcohol, there are ways.
Reverse Alcohol Damage on the Brain and Body
By taking the proper steps, you can reverse almost all the damages and changes to your health done by alcohol abuse. But it will take time for the complete recovery. The first steps in all these are to stay sober for 5 to 7 years, as that is how long it takes for your body to recover. Unfortunately, some alterations in the brain are irreversible. These damages depend on how long you have been drinking. But some other factors also work here. Your dietary habits, the amount of physical exercise you perform, your family history, and even genetic factors are vital things that determine the impairment to your body. So, the best thing to do is never to pick up the habit again.
Keep in mind that most of the recovery from the damages happens within only the first year of sobriety. Apparently, most of this recovery happens automatically. All you got to do is to stop yourself from drinking during these times.
There are some health issues where the problem isn’t directly related to alcoholism, but it indirectly causes them. One of them will be the Wenick Korsakoff condition. It may still be present when you are performing sobriety. As it comes from not having enough nutrition, you need to take care of your dietary habits to get rid of the problem.
Heart-Related Problems Caused by Alcoholism
There are several problems that can arise with the habit of drinking alcohol. The worrisome factor is that many of these issues may not be irreversible if the habit has been going on for too long. Moreover, if you had a heart problem before your drinking habit started, it may damage the cardiovascular system even more.
AHA states that these heart issues are common in alcoholic individuals-
- Arrhythmias
- Hypertension
- Heart attack
- Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
- Increase of cholesterol level
If you have already got these issues, you should seek professional help. Learn what diet will be the best for you in the scenario and follow that. Note that you can get an idea of how much recovery you will get from the heart problems after quitting drinking. Be careful of your diet, sleep schedule, and exercise, and see how much you recover after one year. Thus you can understand your potential for recovery.
F.A.Q
Most reverse effects of quitting alcohol start in the first year. Your body heals itself in several months. However, being sober from 5-7 years is a good length of time for full psychological and physical recovery. Alcohol abuse affects the brain significantly and that’s why patience is your best friend that can help you get your life back without and eliminate the lingering effects of alcohol.
To recover from alcohol abuse, firstly, you must stay sober for the whole recovery period. You have to be sure that no external factors affect your cravings for alcohol after you have quit it. To reverse skin damage, you need to drink a lot of water. It is also necessary to go for a healthy diet, enough exercise, and get proper rest. Since different people may face different issues, you should get professional help, explain everything, and follow their instructions. You must face the truth that some of the damages may be impossible to recover and stay patient.
Begin to Undo the Effects of Alcohol Abuse
Fortunately, the addiction to alcohol is not as severe as some of the other substances. As a result, during your brain recovery period, you won’t face too much craving as those other addictions. But no matter what happens, you must remain sober during the reverse alcoholism timeline. Reversing alcohol damage takes a long time, so you must stay away from any external causes that may provoke you to drink again.
If you or a loved one are in need of help for alcohol addiction, contact our team of professionals today.