Alcohol Addiction: Why Are Hangovers A Bad Sign?

Regardless of addiction status, most people have experienced a hangover at least once in their lives. A hangover is unpleasant, to say the least, but it is a lot more than that.

Sure, a hangover is your body's response to too much alcohol, but it is not that simple. In fact, a hangover can be incredibly dangerous in some circumstances.

Hangovers aren't just a sign of overdoing it ... they can be a sign of harmful behaviors.

What Is a Hangover?

A hangover is your body's reaction to dehydration brought on by too much alcohol. There is more at play here as well. Hangovers are linked to a number of details about what you drank, how much you drank, when you last ate, as well as your body weight and genetics.

Some hangover symptoms are recognizable, but others, like the mental and emotional symptoms, are not. The most common physical signs of a hangover are:

• Fatigue
• Dry mouth and thirst
• Headache
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fast heart rate and increased blood pressure
• Weakness

Anxiety and irritability are also pretty significant hangover symptoms but are less publicly known or discussed. The effects of a hangover can produce emotions like shame and guilt or even depression. Frequent hangovers can actually lead to clinical depression or worsen existing mental health problems.

What Causes a Hangover?

You may believe drinking too much equals a hangover, but as stated earlier, that is not exactly it. Several factors lead to hangovers.

The first and most well-known is dehydration. Alcohol causes the kidneys to retain fluid which leads to excess urination. If you deplete your hydration without drinking water to make up for it, you will experience symptoms like fatigue, headache, and thirst.

Next, sleep patterns are often disturbed when drinking. You tend to wake up throughout the night and earlier in the morning, even when exhausted, leading to a lack of focus and energy the next day.

Alcohol also leads to inflammation, especially in the stomach. This produces excess acid and irritates the stomach, leading to pain and nausea.

Experiencing hangovers does not mean that you are addicted to alcohol, but hangovers can be similar to withdrawal symptoms. For instance, drinking can offer effects like confidence, calmness, and relaxation. When you are no longer under the influence, rather than feeling normal, the lack of those sensations can lead to anxiety.

What Hangovers Can Lead To

It is common to not consider hangovers to be serious. You may think it is a sign you had a good time.

Yet, they are more severe than you might like to think. When hangovers become a regular part of your routine, they can impact your job, school, and other responsibilities.

Having excessive drinking lead to such effects can cause anxiety and depression. If you are fired from your job or are not performing well in school due to symptoms of regular hangovers, you may drink more to deal with those stressors and negative emotions. This is how hangovers often lead to a deeper issue with alcohol dependence. This risk is even greater when you have a family history of alcohol abuse.

Perhaps you believe that hangovers deter people from drinking more because they are so unpleasant, but the opposite seems true. Experiencing hangovers can cause more alcohol consumption, leading to alcoholism or even alcohol poisoning. 

Furthermore, hangovers on their own usually are not as dangerous as they feel. When a hangover is actually alcohol poisoning, it can lead to severe issues like brain damage, seizures, and even choking.

The long-term and short-term effects of hangovers are dangerous and should be considered a significant problem to your health.

Having one hangover a year after celebrating your birthday or promotion may not be a cause for concern, but hangovers that are impacting your life should be treated with immense care. Common hangovers are not just unpleasant but can cause relationship problems, lowered work or school performance, and impact your overall health and wellbeing. 

Getting Help for Hangovers

Taking the time to consider how hangovers are affecting your life and the lives of your loved ones is essential. As hangovers can often be prerequisites for a deeper problem with alcohol dependence, it is crucial to consider getting help as soon as possible.

Speak to friends and family members honestly about your behavior. Ask for their honesty and support. They will want you to be healthy and happy. Working with them to find a suitable detox and drug rehab will set you on the right path for your recovery.

Hangovers are not signs of a good time or a memorable night. Hangovers are unpleasant experiences brought on by excessive drinking that leads to dehydration. Those who have experienced hangovers may not consider them to be serious. Still, if they happen often enough, they can lead to:

• Mental health issues
• Problems at work or in relationships
• Alcoholism
• Alcohol poisoning

If you are having hangovers often enough that they are impacting your life and wellbeing, it is time to make a change. Take that next step and reach out for help. Speak with someone you trust and work with them to find a detox and addiction center.

DetoxNearMe.com is a great way to find a detox center for you. Finding your detox center which meets your needs and purposes is as easy as logging on. Don’t let hangovers ruin your life – start recovery now with DetoxNearMe.com today!