Sober living

Certain drugs impact your body more harshly than others, especially when it comes to the way they age you. The bottom line is, that any type of drug abuse affects your body in a detrimental way, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/meditation-for-addiction-recovery-methods-and-techniques/ though the effects of some are more obvious and serious than others. That is, the cells which make up these and other tissues begin to age.

How does your body change after 6 months of no alcohol?

We want to help you get on the road to recovery so that you can live a happy, healthy, and sober life. Drinking heavily and often can have a significant impact on your overall health. It can also age you prematurely, making you look, feel, and act older than you actually are.

Alcohol Consumption Changes the Aging Clock

Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and leads to the loss of fluids and essential electrolytes. This dehydration makes the does alcohol make you look older skin appear dull, dry, and less elastic, contributing to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Over time, this loss of moisture can cause the skin to age prematurely, making it look rough and uneven. In a study examining long-term weight loss and drinking, participants who abstained from alcohol lost more weight — and kept it off — compared to those who continued to drink. Removing alcohol from your lifestyle can reduce the risk for obesity in some individuals and improve healthy weight management for people with Type 2 diabetes. Even one night of drinking can make fine lines and wrinkles look more prominent due to dehydration.

• To fully appreciate the positive effects of sobriety on your body, let’s first examine the damaging connection between alcohol and skin aging.
• The people in the study were followed from 1976 to 2003 and provided information about their eating, smoking and drinking habits.
• And the calories in an alcoholic drink don’t just come from the alcohol – many have additional calories from carbohydrates as well, like sugar or starch.

Social and Emotional Aging

• When you consume alcohol, the peripheral blood vessels expand and blood flow to the surface of your eyes increases.
• Heavy drinking also causes a loss of collagen and elasticity in the skin making it look aged.
• Everyone ages differently so your chronological age and biological age may be the same or they can be different.
• It also calculates how much money you have saved during the time you have been alcohol-free.
• For example, it can lead to liver damage, cancer, immune disorders, and brain damage.

It’s because alcohol can affect your balance and sense of judgment. Over time, it also can damage the cerebellum, the area in your brain that handles balance and coordination. Every alcoholic drink goes “straight to your head,” or at least to your brain. Heavy drinking over a long time can shrink brain cells and lead to alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) and certain types of dementia. Symptoms of that include lack of judgment, organization, or emotional control, trouble staying focused, and anger issues.

How does blood alcohol concentration (BAC) affect the body?

At Little Creek Recovery, we understand how challenging it can be to ask for assistance, but our team of trained professionals is here to guide you. Contact us today to explore the best options for your recovery journey and take the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. Don’t let hesitation stand in the way of getting the help you deserve. Beyond physical health, alcohol and substance abuse can lead to social isolation and emotional distress, both of which contribute to the aging process. Addiction often damages relationships, leading to loneliness and a lack of social support, which are critical factors in healthy aging.

However, as BAC increases, it can impair coordination and judgment, and lead to serious health issues. It’s important to be aware of your BAC and avoid activities such as driving when it’s elevated. You may be surprised to hear this, but alcohol expedites the aging of the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart disease.

The liver is responsible for detoxifying substances in the body, including alcohol. When it becomes overworked due to excessive drinking, it may not effectively remove toxins. This can lead to a buildup of toxins that manifests as skin irritation or conditions like rosacea. Drinking alcohol can make you less likely to maintain the habits that keep you healthy. If you feel sluggish and achy, you may be less likely to exercise.

• You can also begin detoxing to get any alcohol or other harmful substance out of your system.
• This puts us at an even greater risk for prematurely developing cancer or disease.
• You will likely also make unhealthy choices when drinking that you wouldn’t make when sober, such as ordering greasy fast food.
• Every alcoholic drink goes “straight to your head,” or at least to your brain.
• Finally, it is essential to visit a medical professional so that tests can be run to examine certain organs and systems.
• The noticeable differences in skin complexions are often early signs of alcohol abuse.
• The effects of dehydration are so pronounced that studies show a woman who has been drinking for 20 or 30 years will have significantly more wrinkles than someone the same age who hasn’t drunk at all.

How to reduce the effects of alcohol on your appearance

Excessive alcohol use increases free radicals in the body and causes sleep disruptions, which can lead to poor cognitive function. Again, alcohol affects the skin and can cause negative deterioration of various internal systems. When a person becomes a chronic drinker, the habit takes a toll on multiple organs within the body. By the time a person uncovers a problem, it may be too late. Chronic alcohol use can exacerbate dark circles and bags under the eyes. This is due to a combination of factors, including poor sleep quality, dehydration, and liver stress, all of which are common in those who abuse alcohol.

Levels Of Care

For example, too much alcohol in the body may prevent the absorption of zinc, copper, and protein. Scientific studies have shown that low protein can cause a multitude of skin, hair, and nail problems. What’s more, people who Sober living house suffer from alcohol use disorder may neglect their health in other ways. This exacerbates certain medical issues that might otherwise remain at bay in someone of your age.At Burning Tree Ranch, a long-term residential treatment center, we can’t make you any younger. But we can guide you through a personalized, holistic treatment program that restores your wellness and reduces your risk of relapse. As you progress, you may notice that you look and feel more energetic, dynamic and youthful.