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Health and Wellness - Alcohol

Alcohol & Your Health and Wellness

Health and wellness are core necessities to your well-being. It’s important to know the impacts and risks of drinking alcohol and to know the resources to help you live well. 

An estimated 56-percent of Iowans report drinking within the last month. Most people see it as a form of recreation or a social activity, and for many, it is. But 28.6-percent of Iowans report binge drinking in the past month. This is higher than the national average. 

Recovery from an alcohol use disorder can be hard. This means changing habits and/or seeking help. Help could include counseling with a substance use specialist or mental health therapist. Taking these steps can help improve your health and wellness. 

Talk with your healthcare provider about ways to improve your health and wellness. Or, ask for advice from a recovering peer or see what other people are doing through social media. Always pay attention to your personal needs. Remember, there is hope wherever you are. Stories of recovery happen every day.

 Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes structural, chemical changes in the brain. 

Alcohol misuse often leads to changes in the brain and perpetuates an AUD.  AUD often means not having the ability to stop or control alcohol use. Alcohol use continues despite adverse consequences to your health, social and work life

For some people, alcohol has a significant effect. It’s common for people to struggle to manage its impacts on their day-to-day life. The effects vary from person to person, depending on factors including:

  • How much and how often you drink.
  • Your age and sex.
  • Your physical and mental health status.
  • Your family support system.
  • Your family history with alcohol.
  • If you’re combining medications and other drugs.

AUD is a brain disorder and can be mild, moderate or severe. Alcohol misuse can cause damage in the brain and lead to an AUD. 

But there is good news! No matter how severe the problem may seem, people with AUD can and do achieve and maintain recovery.

 Alcohol is a depressant and can impact your ability to enjoy life. 

Alcohol is a depressant. While the effects of alcohol may seem fun, the reality is alcohol slows down the brain’s function.  

Alcohol first impacts judgment and decision making. Then people often lose coordination and motor functioning. This is what causes slurred speech and staggering.

Unchecked, drinking can lead to alcohol overdose. This is where alcohol can cause the central nervous system to shut down completely. This can lead to slowed breathing, heart failure and even death.

Alcohol use can lead to problems at work or home. Alcohol use can increase in risky behavior, loss of relationships and more. 

Health side effects include increased risk of:

  • Liver disease.
  • Digestive problems.
  • Heart problems.
  • Neurological (brain)complications. ¹ 

If you feel that alcohol use is impacting your life, we can help. Reach out to Your Life Iowa to talk to a non-judgmental, caring counselor.

 Alcohol dehydrates you. 

Alcohol is a diuretic. This means it forces more water out of your body’s cells. Even though you’re drinking liquids, the alcohol does not hydrate you. This is one of the reasons that alcohol consumption can lead to a hangover.

The greater the alcohol content, the greater the dehydration effect. Different types of alcohol can have very different amounts of alcohol content. Beer, wine, or liquors all have varying alcohol content. 

Stay informed and make low-risk choices about alcohol consumption.  To help avoid a hangover, alternate drinks with water and drink in moderation.

Use the Your Life Iowa drink calculator to see how much alcohol is in different types of standard drinks.  

Learn More about Hangovers

 The order in which you drink does not impact whether you’ll get sick or not. 

Drinking beer before shots won’t prevent you from getting sick. It all depends on the total amount of alcohol you consume, not the order that you drink it in.

After drinking, the idea that you can drink coffee to sober up is not true. Coffee contains caffeine that keeps you awake. But caffeine will not reduce alcohol impairment.  The most important thing you can do is stop drinking to reduce effects. 

 A nightcap (a drink containing alcohol before bed) does not help you sleep well. 

You may fall asleep faster if you had a drink before bed. Adrenaline levels in the body as we drink. This increases stress levels and decreases your ability to get restful sleep. A drink before bed could disrupt your sleep and affect your night’s rest. 

Instead of a nightcap, use healthy activities to wind down.  This includes putting devices away earlier, taking a shower or keeping the room cool and dark.

Learn More About Alcohol Use Disorder

We walk beside you so you’re never alone. If you are concerned about the drinking behaviors of you or someone you care about, Your Life Iowa can help.

 Citation

  1. Alcohol use disorder. Mayo Clinic, May 18, 2022. 

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