The effects of taking Alcohol while on medication with even the smallest of amounts can lead to aggravating the condition. There are up to 150 different medicaments which will worsen a health condition when taken under the effects of alcohol. One example is antihistamine, whereby the consumption of alcohol will increase the sedative effect hindering the ability to drive or handle machinery. If you take alcohol with painkillers like Tylenol, you run the risk of damaging your liver. Most of us who quite often buy over-the-counter medicines and take them indiscriminately with alcohol can become vulnerable to numerous health problems. It is advisable to check with your doctor about the advisability of drinking alcohol while you are on medication. Social and Legal Problems: Addiction to alcohol may create many social and legal problems especially for heavy drinkers. You may fall out with your colleagues at your workplace, with your spouse at home and friends and even strangers. Alcohol addicts are likely to get up late in the morning due to the hangover from drinking in the previous evening. They may reach their office or workplace late. In some cases they may not even reach their office at all. Their productivity may be affected. They may lose their jobs. Pregnant women who consume alcohol are risking their baby's' health as they may contract a whole number of congenital defects. Alcoholic mothers' children are prone to both behavioral problems and learning difficulties. They might even suffer from fatal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which can produce critical mental and physical conditions. Long-Term Health Problems: Drinking alcohol may cause liver problems, heart diseases and certain forms of cancer. These problems may not appear immediately but over a long time of drinking. Women are more prone to alcohol related problems than men even if they drink less than men. Really serious liver complaints such as hepatitis or liver inflammation are suffered by people all over the world who over induce in alcohol, and these conditions can even lead to death. About 20% of the world's alcoholics will get alcoholic cirrhosis or scarring of liver hepatitis C virus-HCV-infection, which can lead to the need of a liver transplant. As serious an effect of alcoholism is the contraction of hepatitis C virus-HCV-infection, which might cause liver cancer. Consuming too much alcohol can have a terrible effect on the nervous system causing central nervous system depression. Alcohol will at first stimulate the mind, but then after heavy consumption will cause sedation. The immunity system will become diminished and our logical way of thinking will be affected as well as our emotional behavior and judgment. A heavy drinker may also encounter speech difficulties and muscle coordination problems. These and other complications can even lead to a heavy drinker falling into a coma. Diabetics are also at high risk from heavy drinking as the alcohol consumed will stop glucose being released from the liver. This in turn could cause a serious illness called hypoglycaemia, which is brought about by a low blood sugar count. If insulin is also being taken to regulate the blood sugar level, then we have encountered a serious life threatening situation. The pancreas is also at high risk from alcohol consumption as it produces insulin for regulating the blood sugar level. The alcohol can also effect the production of very important hormones used in controlling the metabolism. The pancreas also produces very important enzymes vital for the digestion of proteins and carbohydrates. Long term drinking will cause pancreatitis and an acute pancreatitis can cause severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea and weight loss which could be fatal. So quit drinking alcohol now.
The first step in making an effort to stop drinking may consist of identifying the reasons why you want to stop drinking. While some reasons can be general -applicable to all the drinkers- there may be others that may be specific to you. Make a list of reasons to stop drinking. You may also seek your friend's help to complete the list.
This most important list should always be kept handy for personal reference in order to keep your commitment on track. It might be a good idea to make photocopies of the list and have them visible in several key locations such as the fridge and the bathroom mirror and keep one in your wallet too.
If the condition is a serious one most alcoholics can give up drinking overnight, but the alternative option is to cut back gradually on quantity over a given period of time. The most functional method is to plan out a timed schedule for the daily reductions aiming towards the final step of zero alcohol consumption.
Keep evaluating your progress on regular basis, say, for at least thirty days to make your new behavior a habit. Keep a record of the benefits you are experiencing. There may be lapses as well. Make them as stepping stones to your progress. Share your plan and experiences with others to seek their helpful suggestions.
On occasions these self-help programs just don't work out, but don't loose heart. Remember that alcoholism is a disease and could have made serious roots into organism provoking certain chemical alterations in your biological system.
It may have affected your vital organs such as liver, pancreas, heart, kidney, digestive system and so on. Quite often, therefore, it needs expert medical assistance for its treatment. There are certain medications that may help you overcome your alcoholism. Remember, it is safer to withdraw from this nefarious habit under the medical supervision.
You can be sure to find many things on the way which will impede eventual success. Don't think twice about changing old friends for new ones or changing your route to work as long as you avoid any possible contact with alcohol. One really good change to get you on the right track is to substitute alcohol for healthy fruit juices and always have a piece of gum close at hand.
There are a number of rehab centers including AA and AVERT which are internationally renowned for helping alcoholics. The members include many x-alcoholics who give valuable support and tips based on their own experiences. These people are really understanding and are always there if you get into deep trouble.
The great thing with these groups is that your identity will always remain anonymous. You can find similar groups online in your town that will be more than willing to draw up a personalised plan that will suit you for cutting out alcohol from your life.
It will be very difficult to turn down old friend's invitations for a good night out, but you must be firm and polite in refusing the invite. Stay strong to your word and don't falter so early on in what will be a tough road to success. Become active by taking up sport or a new hobby and spend more time with your family and friends who support you. Diversion is the name of the game and you must always reward yourself for every objective you meet and every hurdle you get over.
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