Regular consumption of any alcoholic beverage can not last long without consequences. So-called beer alcoholism develops much more slowly than strong alcohol dependence and this is its particular risk.
What is the danger of beer
For the development of alcoholism, the type of alcohol does not matter. The disease is formed when you drink wine, vodka, moonshine, alcoholic cocktails and beer. The only thing that affects low-alcohol beverages is the degree of addiction formation. In this regard, beer is considered one of the most dangerous drinks. And that's why.
- The alcohol in it contains from 4 to 14%, which does not cause concern for most. Indeed, in such harmless beverages as kvass or kefir, there is also alcohol.
- The beer is delicious. Unlike vodka or moonlight, which must be "pushed" inside, intoxicating liquid can be enjoyed as much as you want and often want to repeat the pleasure.
- In terms of popularity, beer ranks first in almost all segments of the population: men, women and teenagers drink it. In obsessive advertising, it is presented as a common refreshing drink.
- In addition to alcohol, most varieties contain a variety of substances that adversely affect the endocrine and cardiovascular systems.
If we consider the above facts in more detail, it becomes clear that there is nothing safe in this drink. Frequent drinking of beer is not punished by society. On the contrary, there are arguments in his favor. Recommended to compensate for vitamin deficiencies or to improve digestion. For this reason, many do not have a psychological stop signal, which is, for example, the beginning of strong alcohol abuse. Drinking vodka is considered embarrassing and unhealthy, and drinking beer every day is just a form of relaxation. Some do not consider it dangerous to give it to children "to promote health".
Signs and characteristics of beer addiction
The usual arithmetic calculation allows you to determine what threatens a beer binge with regular libations. In 1 liter of weak beer, 40 ml of pure ethanol, in strong varieties - 120-140 ml. In the latter case, the permitted daily dose of alcohol for men was doubled. And if you think that 1 liter is drunk only "for overload", and then the amount is not calculated, it becomes clear that the consequences of drinking beer can not be avoided.
From a common hobby, addiction flows smoothly into psychological addiction, while the abuser is quite confident in his well-being and does not put himself on the same level as alcoholics, but continues to drink beer every day. You can understand that the disease is developing when the following situations occur:
- future beer gatherings cause impatience and joyful reception, for their sake you may postpone less important things;
- intoxication comes quickly and lasts a long time;
- at least 1. 5 liters are drunk per day, the maximum is not known exactly;
- days in which ordinary beer is impossible for some reason, experienced with irritability, mood worsens, only a few new cans or bottles can turn it;
- weak beer looks like water, you want to get stronger;
- those around and mirrors begin to notice changes in appearance: puffy face, swollen body, bags under the eyes, pale earthy skin;
- more often than usual there is shortness of breath, chest pain, pulse accelerates;
- the next morning after the beer, my head hurts, i want to drink a little more to be "good".
The appearance of even one of the signs in the background of a daily "hobby" indicates an addiction to beer, the symptoms of which will be felt more strongly in the future.
Narcologists do not recognize any specifics of alcoholism depending on the type of beverage they prefer, but they agree that beer addiction is very insidious. It is very difficult to identify it in the first stage, as there are no significant changes in human lifestyle and health. For example, a woman in a situation where her husband drinks beer every day may not notice any signs of dependence on the outside.
Beer alcoholism in men is often disguised as a somatic disorder. Often, heart problems, headaches, and nervousness are confused with accumulated fatigue.
Health effects of beer abuse
The consequences of beer alcoholism affect to a lesser extent the intellectual, moral and personal aspects. People who are addicted to alcohol lose their professional skills less frequently, maintain appropriateness of behavior and judgment, unlike those who drink strong alcohol every day. This is the peculiarity of weak alcoholic beverages: personality degradation develops, but very slowly.
Another danger that awaits beer lovers is the destruction of physical health. As a result of heavy daily drinking, severe chronic diseases develop:
- myocardial dystrophy;
- angina;
- coronary artery disease;
- gastritis;
- lodh;
- fatty hepatosis;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- neurological disorders.
A fizzy drink puts a lot of stress on the kidneys, binds and removes the minerals and vitamins needed by the body: potassium, calcium, ascorbic acid, riboflavin. As a result, the work of all internal organs is interrupted. The constant presence of acetaldehyde in the blood causes swelling, combined with dehydration and poisons the liver and brain.
It is important that beers contain a lot of so-called phytoestrogens. Taken uncontrollably, these substances contribute to hormonal imbalance in both men and women, leading to reproductive system dysfunctions, increased risk of blood clots, and increased cholesterol levels.
But the main thing for which beer alcoholism is dangerous is uncontrolled intoxication. Satisfaction with the taste of the drink overshadows the effects of ethanol, the manifested feeling of euphoria inhibits it, retouches problems, encouraging the taking of a few glasses or other bottles. When he drinks beer, it rarely occurs to anyone that he has gone near. In addition, addicts often switch from poor alcohol to vodka or "other fuel" abuse.
The fight against beer alcoholism
How to deal with beer alcoholism depends on the degree of the disease and the situation as a whole. Since such abuse is not always accompanied by loss of voluntary qualities and mental disorders, it makes sense for the addict to do all the work himself. Coding by beer alcoholism as a specific specific pathology does not exist. Suturing drug torpedoes under the skin or hypnosis may not work.
As in the case of other types of addiction, the patient must recognize the existing situation and the need to change it. Some can do it themselves, others will need an outside sign. If there is no physical dependence on ethanol - lack of beer does not lead to a deterioration of well-being, heart attacks - you can do without the help of a narcologist.
Approximate program of action.
- Medicine does not recognize "low-dose" methods of treating alcoholism. It is useless to recommend to people who have a painful addiction to beer to drink 1 bottle a day. This is self-deception, after a while the problem will return. Only complete denial can help. You need to act on the principle "the last time was yesterday". This is the most difficult but necessary step.
- After rejection, you need to analyze what bothers you the most. Boredom, lots of free time, TV not interesting, stress at work, a hassle with a friend. Usually, the problems that were solved by drinking beer come up right away. They need to be identified and treated without delay: instead of watching TV, repairing something, taking a walk, start communicating with a forgotten friend, devote more time to work, children, help around the house.
- Boredom and nervousness can be alleviated by finding something you like that you can do with pleasure. Hobbies, a young animal, playing sports, music, learning a foreign language, mastering a new profession. Anything that arouses real interest, requires effort, but does not leave the feeling of inner obligation, will do. This is the most powerful way to deal with psychological addiction.
- With an irresistible desire to drink beer, you can give the body a substitute: prepare juice, green tea, lemonade. At first, a non-alcoholic version of beer is appropriate. At the same time, after drinking 2-3 glasses of drink, it is urgent to shift attention to an urgent matter. The brain will receive the necessary discharge, the psychological stress will go away. If we are not talking about alcoholism, but only about a bad habit, you can drastically reduce the amount of beer - drink no more than 0, 5 liters 1-2 times a week, ideally even less.
Lack of a good mood and interest in life and the presence of frequent dizziness, weakness in self-treatment of beer alcoholism is a reason to visit a neurologist or endocrinologist, as there is a possibility of developing metabolic disorders or damage to the center. nervous system. In this case, the doctor may prescribe a laboratory blood test, dopplerography, MRI of the brain. If signs of the disease are detected, it will be necessary to undergo a course of therapy with hormonal or nootropic drugs.
Preventing beer alcoholism is to rule out replacing entertainment with a drink, fighting boredom, relaxing and solving problems. Like other alcoholic beverages, beer is acceptable on the festive table, but you can not make it a constant companion of life or quench your thirst with it.