Posts Tagged alcohol abuse hangover

What You Need to Know About Hangovers

Posted by Drug Free in Alcohol Abuse on November 28th, 2010

The Thanksgiving dinner is over and done with – but the weekend is just about to begin. There will undoubtedly parties and get-togethers to go to, and there may be booze waiting at the bar for you. Now is a good a time as any to give a shout out to everyone to drink intelligently, if they were to drink at all.

hangoverIt may also be a good time to talk about hangovers – that condition that is suffered by anyone who, unfortunately, overindulged on liquor after a night of partying.

A hangover may be regarded as a symptom of alcohol poisoning – it is the reaction of one’s body as it is being poisoned with more alcohol than it could realistically handle. As an up and coming yuppie, it was a stupid notion among us drinking buddies that you haven’t really had a “night-out” if you are not hung over the following morning. We foolishly talked about hangovers like they were no big deal, but rather a trophy of sorts for toughing it out while on a drinking spree.

The heavy drinking that result in a hangover attacks the central nervous system. The following day, the effects of the imbalance caused by heavy drinking is manifested by the body through the classic symptoms of a hangover: pounding headaches, fatigue, cotton mouth, queasy stomach, and a weakened immune system, as shared in a feature on WebMD.

It is, however, wrong to believe that only those who party hard and drink bottomless, straight out of a keg, can get a hangover. The amount that can trigger hangover symptoms also depend upon your specific body composition. It is therefore advisable to ensure that you are hydrated when going out by taking water in between drinks – regardless of the number you already had, or are being coaxed to have.

No Comments

Handling Hangovers The Day After The Big Party

Posted by Drug Free in Alcohol Abuse on July 10th, 2010

Sometimes, it just takes us by surprise — a birthday party with an open bar or going out to a bar with work buddies or a a Saturday night out with friends. A few hours and lots of beer later, you head home, take some sleep and wake up with the great hangover.

party drinksHaving a hangover means having to go through the unpleasant physical effects brought about by heavy consumption of alcohol. Alcoholic drinks contain ethanol which is the main cause of dehydration in the brain. It causes an increase in urine production which then causes headaches, lethargy and a dry mouth. That’s why having chasers or drinking water before going to bed when you go out drinking is always a wise choice to prevent “bad mornings”.

If you go and ask any drinker about how they deal with their hangovers in the morning, their answers may vary. We differ in alcohol tolerance levels. Hangovers, however, are notoriously misunderstood. Some might tell you to go drink a mixture of Coca-Cola and milk, or tomato juice and beer, but the ultimate cure for hangovers comes in the simplest forms: food and water. Eggs contain cysteine which helps in counteracting the alcohol in your system and you will be able to revitalize your body by rehydrating with water.

Still, when it comes to alcoholism and hangovers, prevention is way better than cure. ;)

No Comments

Alcohol Abuse Causes More Than Just A Migraine

Posted by Drug Free in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Addiction on January 4th, 2010

It may be alright to have a bit of alcohol every now and then to celebrate, but it is always better to do so in moderate quantities. While our mental image of drinking too much may include episodes of dizziness, blacking out and waking up the next day with a major headache, those who have had too much to drink on a continuous basis may find themselves in a more difficult situation.

alcohol abuseAddiction to the substance has serious consequences to the body. It can trigger serious damage to brain cells, and more often than not, you find yourself having trouble staying conscious at will. You may also find yourself unable to walk, and may even suffer a coma.

Because the brain cells are fried from excessive alcohol consumption, it is no surprise that too much of the substance can lead to memory loss. The mental damage that alcohol gives to the brain is permanent; there is currently no possible way to recover the brain cells that you have lost. Behavior is affected because of this mental change, and the people close to you may suffer the most.

So before you indulge yourself during the holidays, try to think about alcohol’s effects on the body. While it may be all right to drink and be merry, it is advisable to drink only the amount that your body can take. Anything beyond is dangerous for your body and mind.

It is during this time that drinking responsibly becomes something of utmost importance. Doing so not only shows that you respect your own body, but it also gives the impression that you know how to handle yourself quite well.

3 Comments