We may have seen memes about drinking during the coronavirus pandemic. While these messages may make us smile, laugh, or nod, they reflect a sobering reality: alcohol use is on the rise.
Of course, we all know that drinking is not good for us. Dietary recommendations say we should limit ourselves to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men, although some studies have linked even small amounts to an increased risk of death and disease.
Determine your risks
Some people are more prone to the harmful effects of alcohol than others. In a young and healthy individual, increased alcohol consumption will have less of an impact than for someone who is genetically predisposed to alcohol abuse or has a medical condition that could be exacerbated in the course of consumption.
You have a increased risk of alcohol abuse if you have a family history of substance abuse. Mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and personality disorders, are also risk factors. Pregnant women and people with liver dysfunction are also more vulnerable.
Also, if you're taking medication, adding alcohol to the mix can endanger your health. For example, you can have a life-threatening event by combining alcohol and pain medication.
How does alcohol affect the body?
When it comes to the effects of alcohol, no system is exempt. This is how it affects some of your major organs:
- Heart: Over time, alcohol abuse causes the heart muscle to enlarge, which can lead to congestive heart failure, or heart disease.
- Brain: Since this substance penetrates the blood-brain barrier, it directly affects your head. Your brain shrinks with long-term binge drinking. In the short term, alcohol disrupts REM sleep, which is when the nervous system resets and recharges. This can be detrimental to memory, concentration and motor skills, according to a 2013 review in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
- Pancreas: eventually, alcohol abuse can lead to diabetes, because alcohol disrupts glucose regulation- Diabetes, in turn, can trigger other complications such as peripheral neuropathy, a type of nerve damage.
- Skin: this substance makes your skin more susceptible to UV rays. And, drinking it is linked to an increased risk of melanoma, according to a February 2014 review in the British Journal of Dermatology.
For some people, alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the result of psychological or social factors. They may drink to calm down or relax in social settings. Others use alcohol to deal with psychological problems or stress in daily life. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can also run in families. However, genetics does not guarantee an alcohol problem. The exact causes of alcohol abuse and alcoholism are often unknown.
Alcohol abuse is more common at certain times in life. Men, college students, and people experiencing serious life situations or trauma are more likely to abuse alcohol.
People who experience some mental problems are also more likely to deal with their problems with alcohol. For example, those with depression, loneliness, emotional stress and boredom. This is dangerous because alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholism. This is because alcohol tolerance levels can gradually increase. Some people start to drink more and more with each passing day.
Disadvantages of excessive consumption
There are some risks when we exceed our daily alcohol intake. Above all there are some negative social effects.
Happy hour can sabotage your work
If you want to be on your "A" game at work, alcohol can be a barrier. In the Alcohol.org survey, 32% of people said they were more likely to drink during work hours when they were at home.
Even if you're not turning down beers at work, having a hangover is not a recipe for success. The lethargy and discomfort you feel leads to impaired functioning. You may miss deadlines or virtual meetings. And remember: since drinking ruins your sleep, you'll be less focused and more prone to mistakes.
Your relationship could suffer
Although most Spaniards drink without problems, experts estimate that 15 million people are «problem drinkers“, who become belligerent or out of character when under the influence.
For problem drinkers, their disinhibition becomes more dramatic as consumption increases. As a result, they could say inappropriate things to their partner, get into verbal fights and beyond, and the consequences can be more extreme when they take refuge in these kinds of drinks together.
When the alcohol wears off, the pain and fear return with a vengeance, it's like you've let the demons out.
stress skyrockets
If you're opening a bottle of wine to freeze bad feelings like anxiety, boredom, overwhelmed, or loneliness, it's likely to backfire. Your brain reacts to numbness by activating systems to counteract it. When the alcohol wears off, the pain and fear return with a vengeance, it's like you've let the demons out.
That, of course, can lead you to drink even more, causing a dangerous domino effect.
How do we know if we have a problem?
Pay attention any time your alcohol intake exceeds the dietary guidelines. The first signs that something is not right include the breach of your obligations at work or at home. Another is if your relationship is deteriorating.
It is also worth examining your Motivation to have a drink. In general, there is no harm in using alcohol as a social lubricant, for example, having a beer during a Zoom call with friends. But drinking as a coping mechanism is a sign of misuse.
If you've been drinking more than usual, take a couple of days off and then consider how things are going. Do you feel better? Are you having more positive interactions with your partner? Has your job performance improved? If there are no changes, then you are probably doing it right.
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are diagnosable conditions when they damage relationships, cause harm or injury, or have a negative effect on quality of life. The diagnosis of alcohol abuse can be subjective. Concerned family and friends often try to help the person realize that their drinking is out of control, even though they may not believe it.
The doctor may ask about drinking habits and health history. They may also use blood tests to assess general health, paying special attention to the areas of the body most affected by alcohol, including the brain and other parts of the nervous system, as well as the heart and liver.
Tricks to reduce consumption
One of the best ways to reduce consumption is to go out with friends. Socializing is a powerful source of pleasure. When you are isolated, you are more likely to use alcohol as a substitute. So, host virtual get-togethers with friends and family, plan an ongoing weekly phone call with a loved one, or meet up for an outdoor gathering like a picnic or hike where you can follow safe social distancing measures.
Close friends are also a good sounding board to talk about your concerns; If you have an outlet to vent these feelings, you'll be less likely to try to numb them with alcohol.
It will also be interesting that you find healthier ways to relax. Sticking to a regular sleep schedule and getting more exercise will relieve stress. Since yoga is a great mood booster, according to Harvard Health Publishing, try streaming a class online or enjoying a few extra minutes walking your dog.
For some, the boredom can stimulate drinking. Boredom is a driving force behind stress and anxiety. To avoid getting sucked into that spiral of negativity, engage in activities that make you feel good. Some ideas might be enrolling in an online workshop (anything from knitting to writing to playing the guitar), growing vegetables, doing the Marie Kondo method in your closet, cooking a recipe from a new country every day, learning a language or giving to your walls a new coat of paint.
Alternatively Virtual Alcoholics Anonymous, which offers video, phone, email, and group chat meetings.