Women who drink heavily can face unexpected impacts on their physical health. Alcohol abuse can cause cognitive issues like memory loss, mental health concerns like anxiety and depression, and physical health issues like heart disease. While alcohol addiction can affect every aspect of a person’s life, women who abuse alcohol may be particularly vulnerable to developing health problems in their gastrointestinal system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and liver.
Treatment for alcohol addiction is the best way to reverse women’s GI damage from alcohol abuse. Find help for alcohol addiction through the women’s alcohol rehab program at Hammocks on the Edisto—reach out today at 833.793.0191 to learn more.
1. Stomach Ulcers
When alcohol is ingested, it first comes into contact with the digestive system. In large amounts, alcohol can cause irritation and inflammation in the stomach lining. This can lead to ulcers, or open sores, on the stomach. Symptoms of stomach ulcers can include:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Bloody vomit or stool
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
Left untreated, stomach ulcers can cause serious complications like internal bleeding, obstruction of the digestive tract, and perforation of the stomach.
2. Gastritis
Gastritis is another name for inflammation of the stomach lining. This condition is characterized by pain, nausea, and vomiting. Like stomach ulcers, gastritis can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Heavy drinking damages the stomach lining, which leads to inflammation.
While medication can help manage the symptoms of gastritis, the only way to cure the condition is to stop drinking. If you keep drinking, gastritis will likely become chronic and can lead to more serious health problems.
3. Liver Damage
Women who abuse alcohol are more likely to develop liver disease than women who don’t drink. Alcohol abuse damages the liver, which is the organ responsible for filtering toxins from the blood. When you drink heavily, the liver becomes overloaded with work and can’t function properly. This can lead to a build-up of toxins in the blood and damage to the liver cells.
Liver damage from alcohol abuse is a serious condition that can lead to liver disease. Symptoms of liver damage include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
If you think you might have liver damage, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Liver damage is a serious condition that can be fatal if it’s not treated.
Treatment for Alcohol Addiction
If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, know that you’re not alone. Millions of women face alcohol use disorders—but treatment can help.
The most effective treatment for alcohol addiction is a combination of individual and group therapy, medication, and support groups. At Hammocks on the Edisto, we take a trauma-informed approach to treatment. Trauma in any form can contribute to alcohol abuse. Many women who have been through a traumatic experience, such as domestic violence or sexual assault, turn to alcohol to feel relief. However, this relief is only temporary. In the long term, alcohol only makes the symptoms of trauma worse.
Our women-only center offers a safe and supportive environment, and a variety of wellness programs help our clients build the habits they need in recovery. While GI damage stemming from alcohol abuse can be serious, treatment can help you heal your body and your life.
Contact Hammocks on the Edisto Today
At Hammocks on the Edisto, you’ll find the comprehensive care you need to heal from alcohol addiction. Through personalized treatment plans and care in a serene residential setting, you can start your journey to recovery today.
For more information about women’s alcohol addiction treatment, please reach out to Hammocks on the Edisto at 833.793.0191 today.
