More people than ever are drinking too much alcohol. It is an increase fuelled by the COVID-19 era of uncertainty.
A recent study discovered that American adults, especially women, are drinking more during the worldwide pandemic. Consumption of alcohol increased by 14 percent from one year ago.
But the study also revealed that heavy drinking among women has surged by 41 percent. Heavy drinking is viewed as at least four alcoholic drinks for women within two hours and at least five for men.
Director of the NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) Dr George Koob was reported in the USA Today newspaper as saying that previous research had already revealed people are much more likely to drink more “during times of uncertainty and duress”.
But this always comes with a warning from experts such as Dr Koob. “Any increases in alcohol use during the pandemic could be a cause for concern. This is particularly if the increases stem from an attempt to cope with negative emotions associated with the crisis.”
Whatever the reason or justification, drinking too much and/or too often has definite proven long-term and short-term negative health consequences. This includes not only physical health but emotional and mental wellbeing too.
Here are six major benefits of giving up alcohol.
1. Better sleep
During sleep the body is busy repairing and restoring.
When alcohol is in the system the body is spending more time trying to rid itself of toxins. Stopping drinking gives the body a chance to do its job properly when asleep.
Many people think that alcohol actually makes them sleep better. It can certainly seem that way.
But it is in fact the opposite: a major disturbance to the body’s natural restorative process. This frequently means a feeling of tiredness and being unable to think clearly the day after drinking.
Regular proper sleep means our immune system is stronger. So we’re less likely to catch such as a virus – and if we do we can respond and recover better.
It also means we are less likely to have mishaps and accidents. Life in general will seem more in order – with, for instance, much more likelihood of eating healthy meals at regular times.
Alcohol is high in calories as well. For instance, a large glass of wine is nearly equivalent in calories to a donut.
Our body’s ability to burn fat is hindered by alcohol consumption. So quit drinking and the weight is more likely to fall off.
Additionally, too much alcohol negatively impacts on every organ in the body – including the heart, brain, pancreas and liver. Over time, it increases the risk of many life-threatening illnesses.
Alcohol also has a detrimental effect on the immune system. People who drink too much and too often will be more prone to illnesses and take longer to recover when they get ill.
3. More zest & productivity
Most people who drink too much will waste hours that add up to days and weeks every year. By quitting drinking you’ll be giving yourself more time to be productive and see the people you love as well as doing hobbies you enjoy.
Clarity of thought and better physical coordination will add an overall positive impact. All of this is a boost to emotional wellbeing too.
4. Better bank balance
Most people who quit drinking find they have more money. This is from the obvious fact that their money isn’t being spent on alcohol and any associated costs such as taxis home.
But it’s also from the fact that there will be less sick days and those other days when it’s just a struggle to get through the day. Productivity and decision-making is also improved.
Consequently, you’ll get much more done. That’s clearly a great benefit to your work life and earning potential.
5. More hours every day
Not only will there be less sick days and days of muddling through, there will be no mornings wasted in bed. There is also much more time compared to when there used to be those hours spent drinking.
This is an often overlooked major benefit of quitting drinking. But it’s one of the first things that people realize, even in their first week of not drinking.
6. Improved general wellbeing
Alcohol is a mood-altering substance. When people stop drinking they often notice their moods become less erratic, meaning they are calmer and more steady in life.
Many people notice that their emotional health is vastly improved. For example, this means they will be able to have much better healthy boundaries.
So the positive results for someone quitting alcohol can be excellent. This also benefits all the people who are close to them too.
Our expert team here at Tikvah Lake Recovery has many decades of experience in treating people with all types of problems. We carefully listen before offering treatments that are proven to work.
Every treatment we offer is completely personalized, so that it works the best for each of our guests. That is not only to gain the swiftest results – but also to ensure recovery is long-lasting and continues when you leave us.
Get in touch with us right now to speak in confidence. Discover how we can help you or someone you love.
"Dry drunk" is a colloquial term used to describe an alcoholic who no longer drinks – but who still has the same characteristics as someone who's still addicted to alcohol...
It’s quite normal to have a glass or two of wine or a couple of beers to wind down at the end of a day… or is it?
Doesn’t everyone do this – or could it be that you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol.
First off, it doesn’t matter who the person is in terms of status, job, background or age. Anyone can get taken by the grip of alcohol when such as “just one drink” is always more than one.
Secondly, it is not so simple as looking at the frequency or amount that you or someone else you’re concerned about drinks.
It’s mostly to do with how it affects you or the person who drinks.
However, having a drink every day is definitely something that should be looked into as it’s not what is considered normal drinking. It could reveal that there is a drink problem.
Some honest detective work can show up a lot about someone’s drinking. That is to see if it’s merely a social relaxer or a troublesome – and sometimes fatal – habit.
Questions to ask
Ask yourself these questions, or put yourself in the place of someone who you think might well be drinking too much – and answer yes or no.
Who
Are the other people you drink with also regular and/or heavy drinkers?
Do you ever say that you’re not harming anyone else with your drinking?
Are you envious of others who seem to drink but without it causing them any problems?
Do you wish people would stay out of your business about your drinking – it’s your life isn’t it and shouldn’t they stop trying to tell you what to do?
What
Have you had any problems connected with drinking during the past year?
Has your drinking caused trouble at home, such as with your partner or your children?
Have you called in “sick” to avoid going to work or school/college lots of times?
Have you switched types of drink in the hope this will stop you from getting drunk?
Do you ever feel guilty about your drinking, or what you say or do after a few drinks?
Are there times you cannot recall such as a call you made or how you got into bed?
Where
Do you drink alone at home? In secret?
Do you drink in bars with reputations as somewhere for big drinkers?
Do you go to places you wouldn’t go if you’d not had a drink or if you didn’t want to drink?
Did you ever drive a vehicle after drinking more than you should?
When
Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time, but then you keep getting drunk?
Do you drink every day?
Can you stop drinking and stay stopped for any good amount of time, whatever happens?
Why
Do you ever say something like: “You’d drink too if that happened to you.”?
Have you ever had a drink to calm your nerves or stop shaking when you wake up?
Do you ask yourself why you drink so much?
If you answered yes to even a few of these questions, you or whoever you are concerned about due to their drinking very likely has a problem.
But how do I know if I’m alcoholic or just that I drink too much?
It’s a very good question, and ultimately only one you or whoever is the drinker can answer.
This is because it’s much about what is going on inside: how much a drink is craved, how often it is thought about, what the effect is when one is taken?
Ask, do you think your life would be better if you didn’t drink as much?
For many people who are drinking every day, at the very least it might be causing physical harm, certainly in the long-term – so for that reason alone, it would be better to cut down or quit.
Then, consider if the daily drinking really solves anything or is it just that what needs to be solved in work or life dilemmas simply pile up.
Drinking will often lead to an unsatisfactory sleep. So that combined with grogginess from alcohol in the system makes for impaired thinking and less capability at decision-making come the morning.
Many people know that drinking less would be better for them and those around them. Perhaps it’s buried deep down, but they know… Yet they cannot imagine life any more either with or without alcohol – and this is a sure sign of a problem, a strong indicator of alcoholism.
One other big sign is that you can relate to what many people in recovery from alcoholism say: that the alcohol is in the bottle but the -ism stands for InSide Me or I Sabotage Myself.
Does your way of thinking mean you have a mind that’s like a washing machine on fast spin and it drives you crazy? To the point that you really crave or convince yourself that you need a drink…
Then do you think, whether you’ve had a drink or not, that you are all too often self-sabotaging. Such as you quit a job or do something that leaves your employer with no choice but to fire you… Then find yourself without any money.
Or walk out on a partner who obviously loves you lots and who is a kind person… Then regret it and wonder why.
So although the answer to the question about whether you or someone you care about is an alcoholic is one that only you or they can really admit, there are compelling points to consider.
Guidance from an expert in alcoholism is something that will undoubtedly be valuable. Then if there is an issue, there is first-rate help available.
As many people who once had a problem with drink but who are now living sober lives will tell you: there is a solution.
For more information about how we can help you or anyone you care about who possibly has a drinking problem, contact us today.
Alcohol abuse is one of the most common addictions out there. It affects people from all walks of life, no matter what race, religion, sex or socio-economic background. Access to alcohol is in abundance, and much of our social structure is themed around pubs, bars, clubs and speakeasies.
