What are the dangers of daily alcohol consumption, how long do alcoholics live?

How addiction is formed

Anyone can become addicted to alcohol: you don’t have to drink strong alcohol to do so. The body reacts to any ethanol-containing drink - alcohol poisoning occurs. Over time, physical cravings develop. The blood alcohol level is the same whether it is 100 grams of vodka or 2 liters of beer.

For each person, the maximum dose of ethanol is individual. The manifestation of the disease is loss of control over drinking. At the same time, there is no critical perception of one’s state when drinking alcohol.

Over time, natural biochemical processes change. Physical cravings are formed when a person constantly needs ethanol. However, this does not happen immediately, but after the onset of psychological dependence. Initially, drinking is needed to overcome complexes or in an attempt to cope with problems or relieve stress. Over time, such a solution becomes the only acceptable one.

Without the opportunity to drink, a person’s mood and well-being worsen. Therefore, the frequency of drinking alcoholic beverages and the dose of ethanol are increasing. The craving for alcohol becomes out of control and pathological. All new doses are needed to overcome withdrawal symptoms, while the pleasure from drinking becomes less and less. The emotional reaction to alcohol-containing drinks changes.

Remember that the reliability of the results obtained depends on compliance with these recommendations!

General recommendations:

The following tests are taken strictly on an empty stomach (at least 12 hours after the last meal): - general clinical blood test; determination of blood group and Rh factor; - biochemical tests (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT, AST, etc.); — study of the hemostasis system (APTT, prothrombin, fibrinogen, etc.); - hormones; - tumor markers.
Taking water does not affect blood counts, so you can drink water.
Blood counts can change significantly throughout the day, so we recommend taking all tests in the morning. All laboratory norms are calculated for morning indicators.
One day before donating blood, it is advisable to avoid physical activity, drinking alcohol and significant changes in diet and daily routine.
Two hours before donating blood for testing, you must refrain from smoking.
For laboratory tests of hormones (FSH, LH, prolactin, estriol, estradiol, progesterone), blood should be donated only on the day of the menstrual cycle that was prescribed by the doctor.

All blood tests are done before radiography, ultrasound and physiotherapeutic procedures.

Preparing for tests

Methodology	Preparation
T3 T4 Free T3 Free T4 TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On the eve and on the day of the test, psychological and thermal stress, heavy physical activity (including sports training), and alcohol intake are unacceptable. If you had to stay awake the night before, this may disrupt the rhythm of TSH secretion 1 month before the test, avoid taking thyroid medications unless your doctor gives other instructions. For 2-3 days, avoid taking medications containing iodine, including radionuclide iodine preparations Blood is drawn before X-ray contrast studies. Immediately before donating blood for analysis, refrain from smoking for at least 1 hour and sit quietly for about 30 minutes.
Thyroglobulin Antibodies to TG (thyroglobulin) Antibodies to TPO (thyroid peroxidase) Antibodies to TSH receptors (thyroid-stimulating hormone)	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach
FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) LH (luteinizing hormone) Parathyroid hormone	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, from 8 to 12 hours Eliminate physical activity (sports training) 3 days before, no smoking 1 hour before, 15-20 minutes of rest before taking blood is recommended
STH (somatotropic hormone) Insulin C-peptide IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor)	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, from 8 to 10 o’clock, the last meal no later than 8 o’clock in the evening Avoid alcohol consumption, physical activity, psychological stress the day before, do not smoke before donating blood, sit quietly for 20-25 minutes The hormone insulin is given on an empty stomach, usually along with blood sugar. Sometimes together with a test for “glucose tolerance” (then 2 times - on an empty stomach and 2 hours after the “sugar syrup”).
17-OH - Progesterone Testosterone Estradiol SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) DEAS (dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate) Progesterone	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, from 8 to 12 hours Avoid physical activity, any type of stress, and alcohol consumption 3 days before the test.
PSA (prostate-specific antigen)	A blood test for PSA is performed before or no earlier than 6-7 days after massage, digital rectal examination of the prostate, transrectal ultrasound, biopsy, laser therapy, ergometry, cysto- and colonoscopy and any other mechanical effects on the prostate
Tumor markers, CA-125, CA-15-3, CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), CA-242, AFP (alphafetoprotein)	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) Cortisol	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, from 8 to 10 o’clock, last meal no later than 8 hours Eliminate alcohol intake and physical activity during the day loads, psychological stress, before do not smoke during the analysis, sit quietly for 20-25 minutes With a sudden change in time zones, secretion normalizes within 7-10 days Sometimes rented at 13:00 or 20:00 as prescribed by a doctor
Unconjugated estriol	Venous blood is donated from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; a light, low-fat breakfast is allowed.
Androstenedione	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, from 8 to 12 hours
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., avoid physical activity. Due to individual differences in the rate of synthesis, it is recommended to conduct the study no earlier than 3-5 days of missed menstruation, in order to avoid false negative results If the results are questionable, repeat the study at intervals of 2-3 days. To establish the fact of pregnancy, it is necessary to indicate how many days the delay is; to clarify the timing - the approximate duration of pregnancy
IgE, general and specific	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 3 days before taking blood, avoid physical and emotional stress Do not smoke for 1 hour before drawing blood
Antisperm antibodies Antiovarian antibodies APS (antiphospholipid syndrome)	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, 8 to 14 hours
Glycosylated hemoglobin	Venous blood is donated from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., after a light breakfast. No preparation required
MAU (microalbuminuria Cortisol (daily urine)	Collect urine exactly 24 hours in advance, indicate the collection time (from... to...), store the urine on the bottom shelf in the refrigerator (do not freeze) in a glass jar with a closed lid. Deliver in full to the laboratory On the day of urine collection, avoid increased physical activity and prolonged standing. Drinking regime is normal
Prolactin	Venous blood is donated on an empty stomach, from 8 to 12 hours For 1 day, exclude sexual intercourse, heat exposure (bath, sauna) Since the results of the analysis are greatly influenced by stress, the day before, exclude physical tension and emotional arousal Before taking blood, it is recommended to rest for 15-20 minutes, do not smoke
General clinical blood test	Blood is donated in the morning on an empty stomach (or in the afternoon and evening, 4-5 hours after the last meal). 1-2 days before the test, exclude high-fat foods from your diet.
Urea	1-2 days before the study, you must follow a diet: stop eating foods rich in purines - liver, kidneys, and also limit meat, fish, coffee, tea in your diet as much as possible. Intense physical activity is contraindicated.
Cholesterol Lipoproteins	Blood must be donated after a 12-14 hour fast. Two weeks before the study, it is necessary to discontinue drugs that lower blood lipid levels, unless the goal is to determine the lipid-lowering effect of therapy with these drugs.
Glucose	When donating blood for glucose (in addition to the basic requirements for preparing for tests), you should not brush your teeth or chew gum, and morning tea/coffee (even unsweetened) is prohibited. A morning cup of coffee will dramatically change your glucose levels. They will also be affected by contraceptives, diuretics and other medications.
Daily urine for: cortisol for calcium and phosphorus metanephrines vanillylmandelic acid	Urine is collected 24 hours from 8.00 one day to 8.00 another day (the entire volume of urine collected is recorded) When collecting daily urine, the following are excluded from the diet: beets, carrots, bananas, turnips, citrus fruits, and calcium supplements.

Analyzes during the day

Regardless of meal	After 3-4 hours of fasting
genetic polymorphisms, including polymorphisms of hemostasis genes, vascular tone, polymorphism of cytokine genes, AZF factor, mutations of CYP-21, CFTR gene, HLA typing	hCG antibodies to infections in the blood HIV syphilis hepatitis B and C blood type, Rh factor antibodies to Rh factor anti-group antibodies autoantibodies (from autoantibodies panel) prenatal screening.

Type of study:	Factors distorting research results:
Type of study:	At least 12 hours fasting	Possible without fasting	Physical load - overestimates the indicator	Fear when taking tests increases index	Take analysis strictly from 7 to 10 am
Biochemical studies:
Glucose	+	+	+
Glucose tolerant test (1)	+	+
Bilirubin (2)	+
Creatinine	+
Iron	+
Uric acid (3)	+
Hormones:
adrenalin	+	+
ACTH	+	+
glucagon	+
cortisol	+	+
norepinephrine	+	+
parathyroid hormone	+	+
prolactin	+	+
STH (somatotropic hormone	+
TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)	+	+	+
Insulin	The indicator is decreasing
Blood tests for infections:
Syphilis	+
Antigen hepatitis B	+
Antibodies to viral hepatitis	+
Antibodies to rubella, cytomegalovirus	+
HIV	+

The effect of daily alcohol consumption on the body

Alcohol-containing products tend to cause cravings, which are very difficult to overcome in the future. The composition contains many harmful impurities that have a detrimental effect on the entire body. Gradually, tissues and cells of almost all systems are destroyed.

Ethyl alcohol, when used systematically, causes both physiological and social damage. The consequences manifest themselves in the form of serious damage to all body systems and the development of chronic diseases.

Physiological changes

When ethanol gets inside, it interacts with nervous tissue: its protection is destroyed. Just 1 liter of beer or a bottle of wine leads to serious consequences - the death of up to 10 thousand brain cells that cannot be restored. This subsequently affects mental activity and general health.

Ethyl alcohol also disrupts the conduction of impulses through nerve cells. For the central nervous system this manifests itself as:

problems in the emotional sphere;
the appearance of speech defects;
disturbances in the functioning of the organs of vision and hearing;
problems with coordination, etc.

Alcohol has an effect on the cardiovascular system. The tissues of organs are connective tissue, the elasticity of which is lower. This affects the functioning of the heart and blood vessels: problems with blood pressure appear, and there is a violation of the contractile function of the myocardium.

The whole body suffers, there are no exceptions. Ethyl alcohol harms the walls of the stomach, so the risk of ulcer formation is high. There is a change in acidity, which also negatively affects the digestion process.

Frequent dizziness and headaches are also a common consequence of alcoholism.

External signs of a drinking person

The visual manifestations of a drunkard do not immediately become noticeable. Signs begin to develop gradually. With each subsequent stage of development of the disease, the marks on the face of an alcoholic become more and more pronounced. Most of them are reflected in appearance:

due to improper outflow of bile, the whites of the eyes and skin become yellow;
the face turns red as blood pressure rapidly rises after drinking alcohol;
the skin becomes covered with pimples and rashes;
The area under the eyes suffers - so-called bags are formed, spoiling the appearance.

Dry epidermis and accelerated appearance of wrinkles are also signs of people who drink. Often the face is covered with a thin vascular network.

The nose takes on a burgundy-red hue. Much changes in facial expressions: the muscles of the mouth relax excessively, the forehead tenses. As a result: the face takes on a rather strange expression, as if always slightly surprised.

People who drink lose weight and their skin looks unhealthy. In this case, swelling of the face is characteristic. These are the signs that will help you recognize a drunkard at first sight.

Mental changes

Long-term use of ethanol-containing drinks is fraught with significant mental disorders. There is a high risk of developing alcoholic hallucinosis. Often patients hear voices that insult them, say unpleasant things, and are often threatening in nature.

The most common disorder is delirium, otherwise known as delirium tremens. With hallucinosis there is no impairment of consciousness. The patient continues to navigate in time. In some patients, the disease becomes chronic.

Personality degradation is a fairly common accompaniment of addiction. Intellectual abilities and stress resistance are significantly reduced. The drinker is secretive and taciturn. An ever-increasing dose of alcohol negatively affects the ability to adequately perceive reality. In the morning, the patient does not remember what happened the day before while he was aggressive or unconscious.

Impact on family relationships

An alcohol abuser destroys both his life and his family. Alcoholism is not compatible with family life. For the patient, the environment becomes an obstacle on the path to addiction. The social role of a person is changing dramatically, as is psychology. Close people suffer, as the person becomes weak-willed and aggressive. The wife of an alcoholic and his children have to endure a lot. The drinker stops fulfilling his family responsibilities and brings a lot of trouble to his loved ones. Inappropriate actions, changeability in mood, hostility - this does not have the best effect on relationships between people. The rudeness and irritability of an alcoholic primarily affects those closest to him - his wife and children. The progression of the disease further complicates the situation. This often leads to discord within the family and subsequent divorce.

The well-being of children is at risk. They grow up in an unhealthy environment, which affects their psyche. All the patient's immediate circle suffers from binge drinking. Female alcoholism is no less dangerous. A sick woman is not able to fully perform the functions of a mother. The disease destroys women's nature. Long-term alcohol abuse is fraught with serious changes in the psyche. This is especially dangerous for children and their health.

Psychosis and hysteria become constant companions of an alcoholic. Another problem is codependency. The suffering felt by family members is a direct consequence of the drinker’s actions. The well-being of others deteriorates in proportion to the increase in the dose consumed by the patient. Everyone is stressed: spouse, children.

General analysis

Exposure to alcohol can distort results in the following ways :

destroy red blood cells,
increase cholesterol levels sometimes by 80%,
reduce hemoglobin levels, as the concentration of red blood cells also decreases.

If you drink alcohol immediately before this test, then the greatest likelihood is that the number of red blood cells (red blood cells that transport oxygen to all organs or tissues and the return transport of carbon dioxide) will be reduced.

Alcohol dissolves the membranes of red blood cells, which prevents their natural random movement and repulsion is reduced. Red blood cells begin to stick together. Their concentration in plasma falls, which leads to a decrease in hemoglobin levels. The clumping of red blood cells leads to the formation of blood clots and a decrease in blood microcirculation in the vessel.

The blood becomes thicker after the alcohol gets inside. Its ability to penetrate through the lumens of the capillaries is reduced due to the appearance of clots. This situation is dangerous to the health and life of people and prevents a complete study of the composition of the blood.

In the liver, under the influence of alcohol, lipid production decreases. This reduces the characteristics of the plasma. Such indicators play a major role during the period when the patient is being prepared for surgery. Accurate analysis is necessary to monitor the patient’s health when he has suffered from a serious infectious disease or during the healing of large wound surfaces.

Blood tests taken less than 12 hours after drinking alcohol can only accurately show general intoxication. A decrease in hemoglobin shows only megaloblastic anemia. But the doctor may refuse to make a diagnosis, citing his patient’s recent drinking.

How long do alcoholics live?

The life expectancy of those who suffer from alcoholism is significantly reduced. 20% of patients live more than 50 years. Acute heart failure often causes early death in drunkards under 40 years of age. A dangerous habit is fraught with a significant deterioration in quality and a decrease in life expectancy. The risk of leaving this world prematurely increases. There is no clear answer to the question of how long alcoholics live. Much depends on the age at which a person developed a harmful addiction, whether there are associated problems, etc. That is, the life expectancy of a drinker is determined by the strength of the body. Sudden deaths before age 30 are common. The average life expectancy is 48-55 years. However, this is under fortunate circumstances. 25% of addicted people do not live to reach the specified age mark.

Only by stopping drinking in a timely manner does a person suffering from an illness get a chance to prolong their life. However, in many cases, medical assistance cannot be avoided. Then a person will be able to cope with addiction and get rid of addiction.