Side effects of alcohol addiction

Alcohol is like any substance, any drug: it has its effects and then it has withdrawal. If you don’t drink much, you shouldn’t notice much the next morning, unless you’re particularly sensitive. However, if you’ve been drinking heavily for years, or in many cases decades, then there are some key symptoms to look out for, should you decide to quit.

Initially, you may feel great, re-energized after your firm decision to quit, with the promise of a whole new life ahead. Then, after the second alcohol-free day, your body begins to sense the sudden lack of alcohol in your system, not only as a drug, but also as a source of sugar. You will get very tired as your sugar levels plummet, but the worst thing about this is that despite your fatigue, you will find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to sleep. You may want to see your doctor for support in your efforts, and he/she might even prescribe a temporary medication to help you combat this most cruel side effect.

However, this cruel side effect, like all dark things, will pass, and at least he’ll be able to get enough sleep to function. During this period, you should eat well, with a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates, even some sugars, to keep your energy levels up. You may want to go for a run or play some sport; light exercise is often the key to breaking the addiction.

At around 2 weeks, you will feel physically and emotionally better. However, it is at this point that you can become complacent and think, “I’m fine, I can have one drink and I won’t be addicted again.” Unfortunately, this is very distorted thinking. If you really want to give up alcohol seriously, you probably have serious reasons for doing so: maybe your stomach lining has eroded from all the alcohol, maybe your liver is extremely weak from processing so much poison. Remember, alcohol is a poison and if you have an addictive personality, quitting should be for life. There are so many more important things like health, family and friends that you tend to lose if you are addicted not just to alcohol but to any drug.

After a month or two you will start to see a lot of nice side effects, a return to how a human body should work! Your sleep will be deeper, your mood will improve, and your libido will also return to normal. There are countless benefits to beating alcohol addiction, so hold your ground, and whatever the temptation, never listen to that little voice that tells you to have ‘a nip’. Soon you will lead to a dozen and all your hard work will go to waste. Your life, your health, your family are worth much, much more than that.