The Effects of Alcoholism on Men’s Health

Alcoholism can cause several mental and physical effects on a person’s life. When comparing the two genders, there seems to be a strong connection between men and alcoholism. Alcoholism can end up causing serious damage to a person’s body, mind, and life in general. For both men and women, failing to get proper help can end up creating a vicious cycle of alcohol use and dependency. 

When comparing men and women, there seems to be a strong correlation between men and alcoholism. Every year millions of men suffer from alcoholism and its physical/mental effects. Regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity – addiction and drug abuse can end up developing after excessive use. Let’s take a look at some of the specific effects alcoholism has on men. 

Men and Alcoholism – The Statistics

In the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), nearly 14 million adults (18-years old and up) had an alcohol use disorder in 2019. Of that number, 8.9 million were men compared to 5.2 million which were women. This paints a painful reality about men and alcoholism. Men, in general, are more likely to be heavy drinkers than women are. While there are common physical effects of alcohol for both men and women – men are at higher risk of certain conditions (some of which are unique to only men). 

Injury, disease, and even death may occur if a person dealing with alcohol use disorder does not get help. There is a problematic connection between men and alcoholism across the nation. With this in mind, it’s important to be aware of these risks and reach out for professional help. It is not too late to break free from drug and alcohol addiction – Little Creek is here to make sure of that. 

Alcohol Abuse and Injury in Men

Some of the physical effects of alcohol come from the risk-taking behavior that emerges from alcohol abuse and excessive drinking. Alcohol-related injuries are very common among men that drink excessively. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men are at higher risk of taking risks when drinking. This is clear when looking at the high rates of alcohol-related male fatalities and hospitalizations. 

Other stats about alcohol-related male injuries and deaths include:

• Men are more likely to be involved in a vehicle accident than women when drinking
• Nearly 75% of deaths due to heavy drinking are men
• Men are twice as likely to have BAC levels (blood alcohol concentration) of .08% and higher
• Men are also more likely to be aggressive than women when drinking heavily
• They are even much more likely to commit suicide (three times as likely) and are more likely to have been drinking before 

When it comes to men and alcoholism, several aggressive and risk-taking behaviors can end up being fatal. These statistics are much more severe in men than women because men are able to drink more compared to women. 

Women usually have a lower body mass and will feel the physical effects of alcohol much quicker than men. For men, the more alcohol they drink, the more problematic injuries and health risks develop. 

Alcohol Abuse and Health-Related Deaths in Men

While women have a higher risk of developing alcohol-related liver diseases and other consequences, men are still prone to these problems as well. The two main concerns for both men and women are liver cancer and cirrhosis. With this in mind, due to men exhibiting higher levels of alcohol abuse, men are more likely to die from alcohol-specific conditions than women. 

Research has shown that there are certain health conditions from which men are more prone to die, many of these being alcohol-based health risks. This creates a concerning relationship between men and alcoholism. With the research done on individuals over the age of 65, it was found that:

• Men are much more likely to die from a stroke (three times as likely)
• They are twice as likely to die from liver cancer
• They are four times more likely to die from throat, esophageal, or mouth cancer. 
• Men are nearly nine times more likely to die from heart disease as a result of excessive drinking

These are just some of the many physical effects of alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, many people don’t get the proper help they need when struggling with an addiction like alcoholism. Over time, other more severe and deadly health issues can begin to arise if a person fails to get the necessary help. If you notice that a loved one is dealing with an alcohol problem, don’t hesitate to get help. 

Alcohol Abuse and Sexual Dysfunction 

One of the more specific conditions related to men and alcoholism is sexual dysfunction. This condition can affect a person in the short-term or medium-term. 

Excessively drinking alcohol over a period of time has been shown to cause sexual dysfunction in men of all ages. In fact, alcohol abuse and heavy drinking can impact a person’s testicular function and hormone production. This can end up leading to infertility, impotence, and erectile dysfunction, among other conditions.

Over time, excessive drinking can cause a man to experience other changes such as loss of facial and chest hair. As well as an abnormal growth of breast tissue. These conditions can end up causing many different issues, both socially and mentally. When it comes to sexual dysfunction both men and women may be affected. 

In terms of risky behavior, sexual encounters and activities are much likelier to happen when excessive drinking is involved. Men, in particular, have a much higher chance of having unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, and contracting sexually transmitted infections/diseases. The risky connection between men and alcoholism involves sexual and non-sexual acts (mostly risky behavior).

What Does Alcoholism Look Like?

There are many negative mental and physical effects of alcohol. This is especially true if a person frequently drinks alcohol in excessive amounts each time. Alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder looks different from person to person. It is crucial to be aware of the signs and symptoms of alcoholism. 

While drinking occasionally is normal, drinking excessively on a frequent basis signifies a problem. Those who continue to heavily drink eventually become dependent on alcohol. 

Dependency occurs when a person feels withdrawal symptoms when minimizing or discontinuing use of alcohol or other drugs. Dependency eventually becomes a full-blown addiction as time goes on. Ultimately, alcoholism can be a destructive and complicated disease – for both men and women. 

The signs and symptoms of alcoholism include the following:

• Mood swings and irritability
• Coming up with excuses for constant drinking (relieving stress, relaxing, etc.)
• Drinking in secrecy
• Experiencing blackouts and short-term memory loss
• Constant hangovers even when not drinking
• Changing friend group and appearance
• Failing to meet daily responsibilities and obligations 
• Worsened performance at school or work

Even if someone you know is exhibiting one or two of these signs, it may be time to get help. Alcoholism can become a major problem if it is not treated by medical professionals. The mental and physical effects of alcohol can take a toll on a person’s aspirations and life. Don’t wait to get professional help, let Little Creek help you towards a better life today. 

Treating Alcoholism

While alcoholism is a destructive and complex addiction, there are many different ways a person can get quality alcohol treatment. Alcoholism treatment is usually a combination of therapy, detoxification, and medication (in certain cases). Together, these help people stabilize their dependency while learning techniques to stay sober. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help guide people and keep them on the right track. 

Little Creek offers a comprehensive plan for you and your family. We provide several methods of therapy that will allow you to overcome your addiction healthily and spiritually. Some of our programs include:

• Quality sober living homes that allow a person to live in a drug-free environment while transitioning back into life 
• 24-hour support throughout the entire addiction recovery journey
• Three in-depth stages of care for you and your loved ones
• Sponsorship AA support after treatment
• A supportive environment that encourages relationship growth and family integration
• Several high-quality methods of therapy for addiction and alcoholism
• Help from trained professionals that are passionate about helping you overcome your addiction

The journey towards alcohol recovery isn’t easy but it is possible and achievable with the right level of care and support. Understanding the physical effects of alcohol and the signs of AUD is just the first step. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or AUD, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. 

Start the Journey at Little Creek

The relationship between men and alcoholism paints a grim picture for millions of families every year. With this in mind, not all hope is lost. Little Creek Recovery is ready to guide you towards a life free of alcohol dependency and drug abuse. With our three levels of care – we focus on helping you achieve a clear and spiritual recovery from drug use. Don’t wait for things to get worse. Give us a call today to learn more about our programs and addiction resources.