Find out more about stopping drinking

By: David Peters

The same Vitamin A is used in the skin turnover process to help generate the new cells that replace the dead ones. The vitamin provides a temporary boost in the production of collagen and can lend the skin a more youthful appearance for a while. Over time, the lack of oxygen and nutrients would allow the formation of harmful free radicals that slowly damage the elastic fibers and collagen, which keep the skin strong and flexible. The result is usually the appearance of premature wrinkles. It is also thought likely that the repeated pursing of lips when inhaling smoke helps build wrinkles around the mouth, while the heat of the burning cigarette tip is also damaging the skin. Healthy skin is a sign of good health. The skin is the largest vital organ in our body, which is comprised of about two billion cells and has a surface area of around two square meters. Although only very few people can actually have the perfect skin and complexion, we can do something to bring out the best in our skin.

Alcohol is often mentioned in one breath with drugs, especially when the subject is abuse or addiction. More often, alcohol is referred to as a separate substance and in fact, its abuse is often discussed separately from that of drugs. But can alcohol be considered a drug? Drug defined: If a textbook definition is used, a drug may be defined as a substance that has an effect on living cells and their function and is also used for medical purposes for the diagnosis, prevention and cure of disorders and diseases. As such, alcohol may not be considered as a drug since it is not used directly to effect a cure. However, it is also a substance that can have similar effects to drugs to disinfect, act as an analgesic, a tranquilizer or rarely, a stimulant. The link between alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is said to possibly be a contributor to health as some are some drugs, but alcohol, like some drugs can be addictive. When used in moderate amounts, alcohol has been said to improve cardiovascular health. However, health experts discourage non-drinkers to start drinking alcohol for the sole reason of benefiting the heart. They recommend that other methods such as exercising and eating a good diet, should be considered as the first line of defense.

The body responds to a perceived stressor by releasing hormones into the body. These hormones are adrenaline and cortisol. They give the body a boost of energy and mobilize the body's immune, nervous and cardiovascular systems for increased activity. The aim is to get the body to adapt to a situation, that could be physical, like an illness or wound, or could be mental like a bout of depression or anxiety. After the body perceives that the stressor has been dealt with, the hormones are reduced and the body goes back to it's normal state. This is known as homeostasis. This is the goal of the multitude of systems, specifically the nervous system, that are responsible for running the the body. When there is confusion in the body as to when to return to homeostasis, the secretion of adrenaline and cortisol continue. If this continues for any length of time, the metabolism of the body can change, the cardiovascular system can be overworked and prone to illness and the immune system can become confused and start acting abnormally or sluggishly. All this is bad news for the individual involved and can lead to health problems.

Alcohol can also lead to: Dementia - memory loss, rather like Alzheimer's dementia. Psychosis - long- term drinkers can start to hear voices. Dependence - if you stop drinking, you get withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, nervousness and (sometimes) seeing things that aren't there. Suicide - 40% of men who try to kill themselves have had a long- standing alcohol problem. - 70% of those who succeed in killing themselves have drunk alcohol before doing so. What is the connection between depression and alcohol? We know that there is a connection - self-harm and suicide are much more common in people with alcohol problems.

Maybe you are concerned about the risks you or someone who is close to you is taking when you drink. Those who drink and drive are taking risks with the consumption of alcohol. If you operate heavy machinery or mix alcohol with medications, either over-the-counter or prescription medicines, you are putting yourself and others at risk. When you don't tell your pharmacist, doctor, or surgeon that you are a regular drinker, you are taking risks with alcohol. Did you know that even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous for an unborn child? If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you are taking risks every time you drink and even if you are not putting yourself at risk, you are putting your baby in a precarious and dangerous situation.

Alcoholism is a chronic disease which means it lasts a lifetime. A person who is an alcoholic will keep drinking even though serious family, health and legal problems develop. Two main things put a person at risk for developing alcoholism; a person's genes and his or her lifestyle. It is true that the risk for developing alcoholism tends to run in families. It does not mean that if a person has a father or mother who is an alcoholic they themselves will become an alcoholic. The genes we inherit partly explain the pattern of alcoholism in families but lifestyle also plays a part. Other things that may increase your risk for alcoholism are the people you spend time with, the stresses in your life and the amount of alcohol that is available on a day-to-day basis. There are also people who think that alcoholism can be cured. They find it hard to understand why an alcoholic can't just go the doctor or through treatment, get better and be cured. While there are millions of recovering alcoholics who have not had a drink for weeks, months or years, there is still a chance that a relapse can occur.

While alcoholism can't be cured, the disease can be treated. There are many treatment programs available. Some may work well for certain people and other alcoholics may need a different type of program. There are medications that can help as well as counseling. Most people who are alcoholics need help with recovery. It is a very difficult process. Many alcoholics do best when they have support and treatment. As with any chronic disease there are different levels of success concerning treatment. There are alcoholics who can quit drinking on their own and never have another drink. Other alcoholics may go through treatment and remain sober for the rest of their lives. Some may go for a long time without a drink and then suffer a relapse. Still others have very little success at all. Alcoholism is a tricky disease and one that can cause serious problems for the person who drinks and also for families, friends, coworkers and even total strangers who may be injured at the hands of an alcoholic. There is help available and the longer a person is able to stop drinking the better chance he or she has of staying sober.

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