Alcohol

Alcohol, in addition to the ususal effects associated with it, can cause even more problems for those who suffer with depression and anxiety. This section of my site is dedicated to raising awareness and probably the best advice I can give you regarding alcohol with anxiety and depression is to just plain avoid it - it's a dangerous and sometimes lethal combination.

Luckily for me I am completely tee-total, but that doesn't mean that I can't give some information about it here. I dread to think how bad my depression and anxiety would be if I actually drank, and I would urge anyone suffering from depression or anxiety to cut down on their own intake if at all possible.

'Safe' Alcohol Limits

Safe alcohol consumption limits
i.e not considered dangerous to long term health are (UK guidelines):

  • For men: no more than 3-4 units of alcohol per day

  • For women: no more than 2-3 units of alcohol per day

    Long term consumption above these limits is considered to be detrimental to health.

    What's classed as a 'unit' of alcohol?

    A 'unit' is equal to one 'standard drink', e.g. 1 glass of wine, half a pint of beer or a single shot of spirits etc.

    The Short Term Effects Of Alcohol

    Factors:

    At this point it has to be said that alcohol affects people differently according to a whole number of factors.

  • Food: If there is already food in the stomach before alcohol is consumed it slows down the absorption of alcohol.

  • Age/alcohol tolerance: Older drinkers are able to compensate somewhat, as their bodies are more used to drinking than younger drinkers. A certain tolerance is aquired as their bodies are used to the alcohol. Heavy drinkers in particular are able to compensate, with them having to drink more an more to be able to get the required effect of alcohol.

  • Physique: One of the most important factors in how alcohol affects an individual is their physique. A larger person is able to handle alcohol easier than a slimmer person - this is due to the concentrations of alcohol in the bloodstream. If exactly the same amount of alcohol is consumed by two people of differing weights, the larger of the two will have a lower concentration of alcohol circulating in their blood.

  • Gender: Females are more affected by alcohol then males by way of their body make-up. A female who has consumed exactly the same amount of acohol as a male, and who weighs the same as him, will still have a higher blood alcohol concentration than he does. This is due to the fact that the female body is made up of less water, and carries more fat tissue.

  • How the alcohol is consumed: The rate of drinking plays a very big part in the effect alcohol has on the body - one pint of beer in one hour will have little effect, whereas say 5 pints of beer in an hour will be considerably more noticeable. Obviously, also, alcohol consumed flat out with no water or soft drinks inbetween drinks to soften the effect of the alcohol will have a more noticeable effect than alcohol being consumed with them.

    Effects:

    As soon as alcohol makes it's way into the blood steam it affects the nervous system. Alcohol affects the drinker before they even notice it, with the speeding up of heart rate as even a miminal amount of alcohol is consumed. As drinking progresses, the drinker becomes more outgoing, and judgement and co-ordination will become impaired. Add more alcohol and speech and vision suffer, with reaction times slowing. If drinking continues double vision and loss of balance are followed by the pupils becoming dilated and skin becoming clammy, with dangerously high blood alcohol levels. If enough alcohol is consumed in one sitting it can lead to coma and ultimately death.

    The Long Term Effects Of Alcohol

    Long term above-average consumption of alcohol can result in many illnesses. It can lead to any of the following:

  • Alcohol dependence (alcoholism)
  • Cirrhosis (a disease of the liver. Atrophy of cells, combined with an increase in connective tissue.)
  • Brain damage (haemorrhage, nerve damage, etc. )
  • Cardiac diseases.
  • Increased risk of stroke.
  • Malnutrition, as alcohol and it's 'empty' calories replace food.
  • Pyschological problems.
  • Increased risk of cancers, particularly those of the throat and mouth.
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure).

    Mind Over Matter

    IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER: This information is just that - information. This is not intended to be used instead of qualified medical advice. If you think you have moderate to serious depression you must seek medical advice from a qualified professional.

    This is a section of the Steve Clark In Loving Memory Website. If you would like to learn a little more about Steve, please visit the main contents page via the above link. Thank you for visiting.
    All graphics and articles in the Mind Over Matter section are copyright © the Steve Clark In Loving Memory website 2002 and beyond. Please leave them here. Thank you.

    *