How Do Alcohol & Drug Abuse Create Serious Health Problems?
Alcohol Abuse The general consensus regarding alcohol consumption is that one or two drinks per day is okay. But binge drinking and alcoholism can lead to serious health problems. Examples of some of the major problems include pancreatitis, liver disease and heart disease. Pancreatitis results from putting a strain on this sugar-regulating organ. The pancreas releases insulin to break down carbohydrates and sugars, and since alcohol is laden with them, it’s possible for the organ to be overworked, eventually causing failure. Long-term heavy drinking can lead to chronic pancreatitis, but if a person can stop drinking, the condition tends to resolve itself. Alcohol is a toxin, and the liver takes the worst hit, as it is responsible for processing toxins that enter the body. The frequent processing of large amounts of alcohol can eventually lead to cell damage and organ failure. Liver disease includes hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver due to constant toxin aggravation, and cir