48% of UK adults reported drinking alcohol at least once a week. In this article, we will explore the potential dangers of alcohol abuse to you and your loved ones.
Most adults enjoy a cold beer or a glass of wine after clocking out of work for the weekend. In the UK, the average household spends nearly £1,000 on alcohol every year. The issue arises when individuals are unable to limit the amount of alcohol they consume.
Alcohol abuse leads to a plethora of harmful consequences that affect all factors of life. Not only does it harm your own well-being, but that of those around you, too. From mental and physical health issues, to crippling debts, to even a Drinking Banning Order – the potential dangers of alcohol abuse are endless.
Are you or someone you love suffering from alcohol addiction? There are various sources of professional help to guide you through these stressful times. For now, let’s dive into the potential harmful consequences…
1. You Could Receive a Drinking Banning Order
A Drinking Banning Order (DBO) may be issued for criminal offences committed under the influence of alcohol. These include, but are not limited to:
- Vandalism: damage or destruction of public property, including graffiti.
- Violent or threatening behaviour: physical or verbal assault or harassment against another member of the public.
- Antisocial behaviour: from public urination to littering to indecent exposure.
Anybody over the age of 16 can be issued a DBO. Once given a DBO you will be unable to purchase or consume alcohol in public spaces. In some cases, you will even be banned from entering establishments that sell alcohol.
Drinking Banning Orders last anywhere between two months and two years. Violating an issued DBO can result in a fine of up to £2,500. You are able to appeal against a DBO if you believe it has been issued unfairly.
2. You Could Financially Cripple Yourself
One dire consequence of alcohol abuse is the amount of money you spend on perpetuating it. 28% of alcohol consumers in the USA have reported credit card debts of over $1,000. This figure can grow exponentially throughout an addiction until you find yourself financially crippled beyond repair.
This financial turmoil only worsens the existing physical and mental effects of alcohol abuse. Some abusers lose their homes after spending rent money on buying alcohol. Parents are sometimes unable to send their children to school after wasting funds on their addiction.
If you have trouble controlling how you spend your money, most banks offer the option to set a spending limit. Counsellors specialising in finance can also help you find financial discipline.
3. You Could Suffer Serious Health Risks
Excessive alcohol consumption is extremely dangerous for the human body. Alcohol abuse has been linked to over 200 diseases and health issues. Some of these include:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Strokes
- Osteoporosis
- Various cancers, including mouth, colon and breast cancer
All of these can be fatal.
Not only does alcohol affect your physical health, but continued abuse carries with it various mental health risks as well. One major effect of abuse is a dependence on alcohol to function normally. Other side effects include:
- Psychosis
- Dementia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
If you notice any of these health issues in yourself or someone you know, seek medical attention as soon as possible to minimise any further risks.
4. Your Social Life Could Fall Apart
Burdened with the aforementioned physical and mental effects of alcohol abuse, you may find your social life very difficult compared to during sobriety. Maintaining relationships can become very taxing. Some loved ones may choose to distance themselves from you for their own good.
You are far more likely to say something you regret when intoxicated. This can lead to repeated rows with family and friends, and embarrassment in front of colleagues. People may start to view you differently and lose respect or step out of your life entirely.
Many individuals suffering from alcohol abuse are extremely lonely people. That loneliness often fuels the addiction further, worsening the problem in a continuous spiral. Once in that cycle, it is a big challenge to break out of it.
Counselling is readily available for addicts with no one to talk to.
5. You Could Put the Lives of Others at Risk
Alcohol abuse not only endangers your own life but the lives of those around you. In 2020 alone, there were 4,620 traffic accidents involving drunk drivers in the UK. Roughly 1,500 of these incidents left someone dead or seriously injured.
Some abusers can also become extra aggressive or violent when intoxicated. 37% of rape and sexual assault are estimated to be committed by offenders under the influence of alcohol. Addicts may also become violent if denied the sale of alcohol, putting bar staff and shop workers at risk.
If you witness any aggravated drunken behaviour, do not put yourself in danger. Instead, contact the local law enforcement authorities immediately. Filming for video evidence may help settle a dispute if it is taken to court.
Alcohol Abuse Affects Lives
As you can see, alcohol not only has an impact on the mental and physical health of those abusing it, it also has other affects too. To begin with, family and friends may struggle in the company of the abuser, leaving them lonely and bereft.
Otherwise, alcohol can put other peoples’ safety, and even lives, at risk. It’s important to be aware of these consequences to better understand how alcohol impacts everyone involved.
