Alcohol is a mind-altering substance that can have deadly consequences. Drinking, even in moderation, can cause long and short-term health consequences. Also, many people struggling with addiction dual diagnosis is common. If they relapse and drink while taking medication, their mental health will suffer and the remaining in active addiction increases. 

Patients who need medication to manage their mental health, can’t drink safely. The interaction alcohol has with medication is dangerous and, in worst case scenarios, can lead to deadly consequences as suicidal ideations may occur. 

Teenage Drinking

Many kids go to parties in high school and college where alcoholic beverages are free flowing. Teenagers take risks because adult brain is not done developing until around age 21. Teens may think they can drink successfully, despite a family history of alcoholism, warnings about driving drunk, and the failure to understand the nature of alcohol abuse and addiction. 

If they start drinking early, they, too, are at risk of alcohol-related cancers and other potentially harmful consequences, like blacking out, alcohol poisoning, and alcohol-related accidents. 

Adult Alcoholics Face Deadly Health Consequences 

Long-term drinking is hard on the liver, kidneys, the brain, and overall health. Adults who drink, even in moderation, are at risk of falling and breaking bones. For adult alcoholics who can’t get through a day without drinking, the health risks are enormous.

Withdrawal from alcohol in and of itself can be deadly. And every alcoholic should detox safely in treatment facility. The liver is a strong organ, but cirrhosis is a devastating complication of long-term alcohol abuse and can be fatal. 

Remember, alcoholism is a treatable disease. Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions and millions of people recover from the seemingly hopeless state of mind and body resulting from alcoholism. I’m reminded of a woman I met decades ago while in treatment. When she arrived, he whites of her eyes were completely yellow. Thirty days later, they were white again. Her liver started working again!

Why I’m Passionate about Exposing the Deadly Consequences of Alcohol Addiction

On New Years Day 2025, I got a call that someone I’ve been friends with since high school passed away from alcoholism. When we were teenagers, he drank even though his mother was an alcoholic. He didn’t think it would ever happen to him. But addiction is insidious. It doesn’t tell you when you are crossing the line into it. You just land there. And my friend did. 

Twenty years ago, he drove drunk and barely survived. The accident left him permanently disabled. Then he got bladder cancer-one of the seven listed as a risk factor for those who abuse alcohol. His once brilliant, vibrant brain stopped working. He was depressed, paranoid, and lost the mental wherewithal to even understand help was possible. 

He drank heavily all of his life. Maybe he thought he had an unlimited tolerance. But he didn’t. He died of acute alcohol poisoning. And the world is now missing a kind and infinitely generous man. 

Let’s dispel the myth that any amount of drinking is safe. My friend thought it was. I thought it was. And now only one of us is here to talk about it. 

There is a Solution

Alcoholism is a treatable condition, and countless individuals have found freedom from its grip through various recovery programs and treatment approaches. One of the most widely recognized paths to recovery is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a global fellowship that offers a supportive community and a proven framework for overcoming alcohol dependency. At the heart of AA is the Twelve-Step Program, a structured approach that encourages individuals to confront their struggles, make amends, and build a healthier, alcohol-free life.

In addition to AA, many people benefit from professional support through treatment facilities. These centers offer a range of services, from medical detoxification to intensive therapy, designed to address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. For those needing extended care, long-term residential treatment provides a stable and structured environment where individuals can focus entirely on recovery while developing the tools and coping mechanisms needed for lifelong sobriety.

With the right combination of community support, professional treatment, and personal determination, recovery is not just possible—it’s achievable. For anyone battling alcoholism, there is a solution, and it starts with taking the first step toward help.

If You or Someone You Love is Abusing Alcohol, Breakthrough Recovery Outreach Can Help

Breakthrough Recovery Outreach offers a safe environment for individuals to get and stay sober. We have a program that can help! Please contact us so we can work together to beat back the disease of alcoholism together so you can live the life you deserve!