Does Alcohol Shorten Live?
Alcohol consumption seems to be an unavoidable part of life. No matter which restaurant you decide upon, the waitstaff greets you with a drink menu and a standard inquiry, “What are you drinking tonight?” People tap kegs, take shots, and proposed toasts no matter which party you choose to attend.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:
85.6 percent of people over the age of 18 have consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in their lifetimes. In addition, 69.5 percent reported drinking at least once in the past year, and 54.9 percent reported drinking at least once in the past month. So yes, more than half of Americans drink alcohol regularly. But how many of these men and women go on to develop a diagnosable alcohol abuse disorder? According to the same study, an estimated 25.8 percent of people regularly engage in binge drinking, and roughly 14.5 million Americans over the age of 12 currently suffer from alcoholism. Sadly, only 7.2 percent of these people end up seeking and receiving any kind of legitimate treatment.
Alcoholism and Life Expectancy
If you have been drinking regularly, why should you consider stopping? Is getting drunk on occasion really that detrimental to your physical and mental health? In short — yes, it certainly can be. Numerous studies have been conducted on the negative consequences of regular alcohol consumption, and the vast majority of these studies have found that even drinking a small amount of alcohol on a regular basis can negatively impact your health. Do alcoholics live shorter lives? Yes, they often do. There are a number of reasons why alcoholics live shorter lives than people who abstain from drinking entirely or who only drink socially and on rare occasions. These reasons include:
- Alcoholism has been shown to lead to a variety of serious physical health concerns, including a weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to chronic disease.
- People who drink heavily engage in a greater number of risk-taking activities, including driving while intoxicated. Drunk driving accidents are one of the leading causes of accidental death in the country.
- Alcoholics often have co-occurring mental health issues like anxiety and depression. In addition, many of the people who follow through with suicide were alcoholics and found intoxicated at the time of their death.
Overcome Substance Use Disorder
At Agape Treatment Center we understand how difficult it can be to reach out for help, especially when you have been struggling with an alcohol abuse disorder. Because heavy drinking is such common practice it can be difficult to tell whether or not treatment has become necessary.
If you have been drinking to excess and you are wondering what your available options are, simply reach out to us over the phone or directly through our website. We are more than happy to provide you with a free health insurance benefits check and help you determine which level of alcohol addiction treatment is right for you.
Treatment for Alcohol Abuse & Dependence at AGAPE
Many people who recognize they have a problem with alcohol attempt to quit on their own accord, not realizing how dangerous alcohol withdrawal can be and how severe alcohol cravings can become. It seems easy enough, right? Simply put down the bottle and occupy your time with something else. But, in reality, alcoholism is a chronic and relapsing brain disease that almost requires intensive treatment — at least initially.
At Agape Treatment Center, we offer an integrated alcohol addiction recovery programs that focus on relapse prevention and the comprehensive restoration of physical, mental, and emotional health. To learn more about our alcoholism recovery program or to learn more about the serious and lasting consequences of regular or excessive alcohol consumption, contact us today.
Stephanie Catalano is an accomplished Clinical Director at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. With a Master of Social Work degree, LCSW license, and extensive training in Rapid Resolution Therapy under her belt, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her unique combination of education and experience allows her to provide exceptional care to clients and lead her team with confidence. Stephanie’s joy comes from witnessing the moments when her patients creatively connect the dots and bravely move toward reclaiming their power. Her purpose is to help individuals understand their past so they can create a future full of hope, growth, and success. Stephanie attributes a large portion of her success to the supportive culture and strong sense of community fostered by the Agape team.
