Alcohol Addiction: What Is the Life Expectancy?
- Ben Pearson
- Jul 20, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 5
The heavy and regular use of alcohol can drastically shorten a person’s life, but understanding these risks is a crucial first step toward a healthier, sober future. Beyond the common understanding of addiction, there are many ways alcohol can negatively impact a person’s quality of life and longevity. It's time to explore the serious consequences of chronic drinking.
How does alcohol addiction affect life expectancy?
Alcohol addiction can significantly shorten life expectancy by contributing to a range of serious health issues, including liver damage, heart disease, and various cancers. Chronic alcohol use also compromises the immune system, making individuals more vulnerable to illnesses.
To truly grasp the full scope of how alcohol impacts health and longevity, it's essential to look beyond the immediate effects. We have much more to share about the risks of addiction, from increased risky behavior to the development of serious mental health disorders, so please continue reading.
The use of alcohol has the potential to drastically shorten one’s lifespan, especially when used on a regular basis. For those suffering from an addiction to alcohol, there can be a number of ways in which it can impact their life, including quality and longevity. While such a morbid topic is undoubtedly difficult to consider, being aware of the potential ramifications of an addiction to alcohol may be necessary to take the first step towards recovery and having a healthy, sober life ahead.
Mentality of Drinking
There are many claims stating that red wine is supposedly good for one’s heart. The use of alcohol in moderation may not necessarily carry the same risks as more frequent, heavy drinking. However, it is still important to be wary of the kind of mindset that such claims can instill within an individual.
Seeing alcohol solely as a health benefit can quickly lead to several dangerous assumptions about its use. It can also contribute to the negligence of keeping track of the dangers that can develop from frequent or heavy use of alcoholic substances.
The idea that alcohol is completely safe in moderation is not entirely true. Not only will each individual react to the use of alcohol in their own unique ways, but there will always be a variety of dangers associated with drinking that can impact one’s lifespan negatively, as well.
Alcohol Addiction Life Expectancy: Alcohol and Disease
Addiction is a disease that can increase the chances of developing additional diseases that continue to impact one’s lifespan. Frequent use of alcohol can lead to the development of heart disease or cancer. Additionally, it can compromise the immune system, making those who suffer from an addiction to alcohol more susceptible to further illnesses throughout their lives.
When considering Alcohol Addiction Life Expectancy, it is important to recognize the greatly increased risk of liver disease and liver damage. Alcohol is a toxin that continues to push one’s liver to the brink of destruction with each drink.
While the liver has an incredible ability to heal itself from damage over time, those suffering from addiction may be drinking too frequently or heavily to give the liver the break it needs to recover, leading to a number of prolonged or permanent damages. Pancreatic damage is also possible, which can lead to several persistent digestive issues, as well as pancreatitis, increasing the chance of developing diabetes as a result.
These diseases and damages also are not exclusive to each other, meaning that it is possible to develop multiple diseases or damage multiple parts of one’s body and mind through chronic drinking. The buildup of health ramifications after prolonged and heavy use of alcohol can greatly impact one’s path to recovery, as well as create lasting impacts on an individual that can affect them for the rest of their lives.
There are many other ways in which alcohol can drastically impact an individual’s lifespan outside of the increased chance of disease. The persistent use of alcohol can lead to an increase in risk-taking behavior, and an individual may put themselves in various life-threatening situations that they may have otherwise avoided.
While under the influence of alcohol, one’s motor skills and decision-making functions are both inhibited, leading to an inability to make rational decisions for one’s own safety, as well as complicating the ability to accomplish simple tasks. Engaging in exponentially riskier behavior can lead to complicated health issues, and may further compromise one’s ability to live a full and healthy life.
An especially pertinent example of this is when an individual drives under the influence. Such a dangerous act not only puts others in danger, but also can drastically increase one’s own chances of having potentially fatal accidents. Those suffering from addiction may believe themselves capable of functioning.
However, impaired decision-making and motor skills make these accidents all too common. These kinds of behaviors can be disastrous, but can also be avoided if provided with the right care to begin working through addiction.
Living with Mental Health Disorders
Addiction can also lead to the development of certain mental health disorders, none of which can be ignored when discussing an individual’s life with addiction. Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health disorders can all complicate one’s daily routines and have their own repercussions on one’s life if unaddressed.
These disorders can lead to some risky behaviors on their own, in an attempt to quell one’s turbulent emotional state, but they can also continue to develop into even more disastrous situations.
Those suffering from mental health disorders brought about by addiction can increasingly feel out of control of their own lives, even leading to thoughts of suicide in dire circumstances.
Addressing the mental health side of addiction is just as important as tackling one’s use of alcohol itself, and both are necessary to help an individual recover from their journey with addiction towards a sober and healthy life.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Can drinking in moderation be considered entirely safe?
No, drinking alcohol in moderation is not entirely safe. Every individual reacts differently, and there are always associated dangers with alcohol consumption that can negatively impact a person's lifespan.
• What diseases can develop from frequent or heavy alcohol use?
Frequent alcohol use can lead to the development of heart disease, cancer, and liver damage. It also compromises the immune system and can cause pancreatic damage, potentially leading to diabetes.
• How does alcohol affect decision-making and motor skills?
Alcohol inhibits both decision-making functions and motor skills, making it difficult to make rational choices for personal safety and to perform simple tasks.
• How does alcohol addiction relate to mental health?
Alcohol addiction can lead to the development of various mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, which can further complicate a person's daily life and lead to risky behaviors.
• Why is addressing mental health important in addiction recovery?
Addressing the mental health side of addiction is just as important as tackling alcohol use itself. Both are necessary to help an individual fully recover and live a healthy, sober life.
If you or a loved one is struggling with the issues discussed in this article, know that you don't have to face them alone. At Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center, we understand the complexities of addiction and its impact on your life and longevity. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate care and a personalized path to recovery. We're here to help you reclaim your health, regain control, and start a new chapter. We're ready to listen and support you. Please call us at (435) 222-5225 to take the first step toward a healthier, sober future with us.
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About The Author
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.
Danny Warner, CEO of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings a wealth of experience in business operations, strategic alliances, and turnaround management, with prior leadership roles at Mediconnect Global, Klever Marketing, and WO Investing, Inc. A graduate of Brigham Young University in Economics and History, Danny has a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries. His most transformative role, however, was as a trail walker and counselor for troubled teens at the Anasazi Foundation, where he directly impacted young lives, a personal commitment to transformation that now drives his leadership at Chateau.
Austin Pederson, Executive Director of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings over eight years of experience revolutionizing mental health and substance abuse treatment through compassionate care and innovative business strategies. Inspired by his own recovery journey, Austin has developed impactful programs tailored to individuals facing trauma and stress while fostering comprehensive support systems that prioritize holistic wellness. His empathetic leadership extends to educating and assisting families, ensuring lasting recovery for clients and their loved ones.
