There are those modern-day imbibers who don’t have problems with alcohol use. They could take it or leave it, saving that special bottle of wine for a celebration, or just drinking one glass of whiskey on the rocks before dinner.
But there are some problem drinkers and alcoholics who cannot just have one drink or leave a bottle of alcohol unfinished. These are the people who, unless they stop drinking completely, may show signs of alcohol-fueled diseases.
As harmless as the "five o' clock somewhere" mentality might seem, it can add up to some serious health issues including the following:
Liver Disease
Liver disease occurs after many years of hard drinking, a habit that causes inflammation of the liver. There are 15,000 to 20,000 deaths in the U.S. each year from this completely preventable illness. The chances of contracting liver disease go higher the longer and harder the drinking has occurred. Over time, cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, can occur; this is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease (ALD).
Risk factors include a family history of ALD, drinking heavily, binge drinking and poor nutrition. Binge drinking can cause acute alcohol hepatitis. Five drinks in a row for men and four drinks in a row for women can set someone up for acute hepatitis.
Physical problems may manifest themselves as digestive, skin or brain and nervous system problems. Digestive problems include decreased appetite and weight loss, dry mouth and increased thirst, pain and swelling in abdomen, nausea and vomiting and fatigue.