Why Do Moderate Drinkers Live Longer Than Abstainers?

For a person who drinks occasionally, this adaptation is distinct and temporary. But for a person who drinks heavily, the body adapts the majority of the time. Eventually, their tissue cells may become dependent on alcohol to function normally. Early-stage alcoholism is the beginning of the person’s chronic use and pathway to abusing alcohol.

Science Behind Medication-Assisted Treatment

Studies consistently show that individuals with alcohol use disorder have a reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. Chronic alcohol abuse takes a toll on the body, leading to a higher risk of developing serious health conditions that can significantly impact longevity. Participants who engaged in heavy drinking practices reported a noticeable reduction in disease-free longevity. why do alcoholics live so long The study revealed that men and women with a history of self-reported heavy overall consumption and binge drinking faced a marked decrease in their disease-free lifespan.

Is it better to not drink at all?

• Alcohol use has been linked to both morbidity (illness or disease) and mortality (death).
• Nearly 24,000 of these deaths were attributed to liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
• The association between alcohol consumption and increased mortality risks, particularly concerning liver disease and cirrhosis, underscores the detrimental impact of alcohol on longevity.
• Statistics tell us that today 260 Americans will die because of alcohol abuse.
• We live in a reductionist age, in which every longitudinal effect is explained away at the most fundamental possible level.

Alcoholics develop what counselors call “an external locus of control.” Progressively, everything is someone else’s fault. The spiraling alcoholic will often say that they don’t even want to drink but that circumstances like their horrible job/spouse/kids “force” them to. Keep reading to learn more about the signs of the end stages of alcoholism, the effects it may have on health, and what you can do to get the help and support you or your loved one need. Alcoholism often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Addressing these underlying conditions is essential for improving life expectancy.

Is it possible to reverse the damage caused by alcoholism?

Common outward changes may include flushed skin and a distended stomach or “beer belly.” They may not be aware, but alcohol is affecting their bodies internally as well. Possible physical side effects include increased blood pressure and liver damage. In the morning, their hands may shake and they may experience frequent heartburn. During this stage, individuals are drinking every day, usually to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Also, avoid regular excessive drinking and binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks on one occasion). Other factors linked with alcohol intake may contribute to drinkers’ well-being. For instance, a study published in March 2022 in JAMA Network Open found that moderate drinkers had the lowest heart disease risk compared with nondrinkers, suggesting that some alcohol intake may benefit heart health.

The body can become distressed even when a person stops drinking for a short time. The primary way a person with early-stage alcoholism differs from someone in middle-stage alcoholism is that alcohol is no longer leveraged for a quick high. The nuances of treatment evolve, and any program should be catered to an individual’s unique needs. Understanding what the stages of alcohol addiction look like can help you or a loved one decide whether rehab treatment is necessary. When a person with alcoholism reaches end stagealcoholism, they have reached a point that is dramatically different from the initial stages. During the early stages of the disease, the person may drink heavily and may experience hangovers in between drinking episodes.

The breakdown of family dynamics can disrupt communication and lead to emotional turmoil for both the alcoholic and their loved ones. The findings show that moderate to heavy drinkers are more likely to live to the age of 85 without dementia or other cognitive impairments than non-drinkers. PEOPLE over 65 that drink up to three alcoholic drinks a day can look forward to a healthy retirement, according to a 30-year-study by the University of California. The timeline isn’t the same for everyone, but nearly all former drinkers report major improvements in both health and quality of life.

• Because experience has shown it is so hard to reestablish abstinence in the late relapse, many quietly drink themselves to death.
• Alcohol-related hospitalizations and mortality rates can vary across different countries.
• Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
• It’s important to address the issue of substance abuse comprehensively, considering both alcohol and cigarette use.

During this stage, someone may believe they are still functioning because they have a job and they are successfully maintaining relationships. In reality, this isn’t true, because after they consume their first alcoholic drink, they usually struggle to control their drinking. It’s important to note that the risk and impact of these diseases can vary depending on factors such as the amount and duration of alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous consumption, individual health conditions, and genetic predispositions. In addition to the physical health consequences, excessive alcohol use can also lead to a number of adverse social consequences. These consequences can have a profound impact on individuals, families, and society as a whole.

Recent headlines touted a link between daily alcohol consumption and a nearly 20-percent decrease in mortality risk — but those findings may be clouding the true relationship between alcohol and good health. Alcoholics think, act, believe, and feel based on distorted perceptions or themselves and the world around them. There is no moderation, no middle ground, no compromise, and no gray area in their worldview. To varying degrees, alcoholics live in denial of their destructiveness (self and others) and this further distorts what they are able to make sense of. There’s a link between alcohol misuse and the risk of suicidal thoughts, attempts and death by suicide. A 2021 study found men with a history of alcohol charges have more than twice the risk of suicide.

The role of recreational activities in addiction recovery

A common reason for health concerns and deaths from alcohol addiction is liver disease. The liver is responsible for filtering the toxins from substances such as alcohol out of a person’s body. When someone drinks excessively, their liver may struggle to keep up with the high levels of toxins, leading to damage and possibly permanent scarring. This damage can eventually result in fatal conditions like cirrhosis and liver failure. Yes, seeking treatment for alcoholism can increase your life expectancy.

This can also lead to anemia when your red blood cell (RBC) count is lower than normal or there’s a problem with the hemoglobin protein inside those cells. In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 54,803 people over the age of 18 had died of cirrhosis, making it the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today.. It’s healthier to drink a small amount daily than to binge (5 or more drinks for men, 4 or more for women) on weekends or special occasions. Discover how increasing alcohol prices decreases alcohol-related deaths and supports healthier choices. Other than the fact that someone is drinking more than usual, it might be hard to detect that there’s even a problem because outwardly the alcoholic appears normal.