While many people choose to drink socially, some spiral into alcohol abuse. It can be hard to know for sure whether your drinking is appropriate. Help Guide suggests that if drinking is causing problems for you in any aspect of your life, then you may have a drinking problem. Alcohol abuse carries several serious and potentially fatal consequences. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol, see your doctor or a counselor for help.
Alcoholism
Alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholism. According to Help Guide, alcohol abuse turns into alcoholism when you are physically dependent on alcohol. One major sign of alcoholism is increasing tolerance, or needing more alcohol to get the same effect that you used to get with fewer drinks. Another is having symptoms of withdrawal when you don't drink, such as anxiety, nausea and vomiting, headache, fatigue and insomnia.
Chronic Diseases
The Centers for Disease Control states that drinking too much alcohol can have severe and, in some cases, permanent health ramifications. These include some forms of cancer, cirrhosis or damage to the liver, inflammation of the pancreas and high blood pressure. KidsHealth warns that excessive or inappropriate alcohol consumption can cause vitamin deficiencies, stomach problems and heart damage as well.
Injuries
You may be more likely to sustain a serious injury while under the effects of alcohol. Drinking and driving can result in deadly motor vehicle accidents. Because your judgment is impaired, you may be more likely to take risks that you would not normally take while under the influence of alcohol, and might drown, fall or injure yourself with a firearm.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
If you drink alcohol while you are pregnant, you put your baby at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. The baby may be smaller than normal, have hyperactivity or other attention problems, a low IQ, trouble in school, abnormalities with her vision or hearing, and heart, kidney or bone problems. Drinking during pregnancy can also cause miscarriage or stillbirth, says the CDC.
