Harm of smoking and alcohol: consequences for the human body, how to get rid of bad habits

Head of the Center for Personalized Medicine, therapist, cardiologist

Harmful addictions have a negative impact on physiological and mental health. The most common bad habits, or in other words, addictions, are smoking and alcohol consumption.

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Why should you give up alcohol and cigarettes for good?

Regular consumption of hot drinks leads to a serious disease – chronic alcoholism. In the first stages of alcohol dependence, a person does not show physiological signs of body dysfunction, but there is psychological dependence and an irresistible craving for alcohol.

Nevertheless, systematic alcohol intoxication gradually destroys liver cells, damages the pancreas and heart, reduces immunity, and also has a negative impact on erectile function and ejaculation.

Alcohol addiction also leads to brain dysfunction, causing neuronal death and blockage of brain blood vessels, often resulting in memory impairment.

As alcoholism worsens, tetrahydroisoquinoline, a substance that blocks the production of dopamine and serotonin, begins to accumulate in the body. Therefore, a person ceases to enjoy life without external stimulation.

The harm of smoking is associated with a large number of toxic and carcinogenic substances in the composition of tobacco smoke. When tobacco burns, hydrocyanic acid, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon monoxide and other hazardous substances are formed.

Smoking has a detrimental effect on all organ systems, but the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems suffer the most. Avid smokers live on average five to eight years less than non-smokers.

In addition to strong physiological and psychological dependence, tobacco provokes the development of pulmonary emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, causes erectile dysfunction in men and problems with conception (reduced fertility) and carrying in women.

Tobacco smoking also increases the likelihood of developing cancer of the lungs, bronchi, larynx and gastrointestinal tract.

E-cigarettes are just as harmful to the body as regular tobacco products. Vaporizers contain flavorings, propylene glycol and various additives that provoke allergic reactions. They also contain nicotine, which is addictive and poisonous.

How long does it take for the body to fully recover?

GP, family physician of VSK Digital Clinic

Getting rid of unhealthy habits is an important step to regaining your health. Successfully overcoming addiction requires medical help, psychological support, and motivation. Giving up bad habits allows the body to gradually recover and restore normal functioning of organs.

Twelve hours after quitting smoking, the lungs will work better.
After eight hours, oxygen levels in the blood will reach normal levels.
In twenty-four hours, carbon monoxide will be completely eliminated from the body and the lungs will begin to cleanse themselves of accumulated substances.
After 72 hours it will be easier to breathe, the bronchi will relax and the person will become more energetic.
After 2.5 months, the blood circulation will be restored and it will be easier to perform physical exercises.
After four to nine months, the lung volume will increase by 10%.
After one year, the risk of heart attack will be halved.
In five years, the likelihood of myocardial infarction will be half that of smokers.

How to get rid of addictions?

A year after quitting alcohol normalizes the work of the liver, kidneys, nervous system, improve immunity, restore cognitive ability, reduce anxiety. Much sooner, approximately in one or two months, will improve intimate life, the quality of skin, hair and nails, stop worrying about dizziness, stabilize the work of the heart and pulmonary system.

You can overcome addictions on your own or with the help of doctors who will choose the best program for getting rid of addiction (for example, 12 steps). At the first stage, it is important to clearly realize why you want to stop smoking or drinking alcohol.

After that, you should determine the appropriate strategy for your psychotype: quit overnight or gradually reduce the number of cigarettes smoked or drinks consumed.

One of the most effective ways is to change the habit, for example, instead of smoking you can chew gum or eat a fruit or vegetable. It will be great if a person can find a trigger that encourages them to drink or smoke. This could be nervous tension, dissatisfaction with life, or any other factors.

It is also good to find yourself a support group that will motivate not to stop and continue to fight the addiction. As practice shows, it is best to quit smoking with a friend.

A healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, a balanced diet and avoidance of bad habits, helps to strengthen the immune system and improve overall health.

Harmful habits, such as alcohol and drug use, have a serious negative impact on human health. They cause many diseases and problems that can have long-lasting and catastrophic consequences. Breaking these habits and adopting a healthy lifestyle are key to restoring a person’s health and well-being.