What alcohol does to the body

1. Effect on heart and blood vessels e.g., hypertension, heart attack, stroke
2. Effect on brain e.g., dementia characterized by memory loss
3. Effect on nerves – abnormal tingling or numbness sensation in the limbs
4. Stomach disorders e.g. stomach ulcer
5. Liver disease and liver cancer; such a person may have yellow eyes (jaundice)
6. Social problems e.g., poor productivity at work, family strife
7. Motor vehicle accident
8. Depression and anxiety
9. Alcohol dependence: such a person has strong craving for alcohol and continuous use of alcohol despite harm or personal injury.

Tips on quitting alcohol intake

1. Make a commitment to quit; write out the harms that alcohol use has done to you
2. Pick a memorable date to quit e.g., your child or lover’s birthday
3. Set a drinking goal; pick a limit and gradually reduce the quantity of alcohol you take per day or per week
4. Seek the support of your family, friends and hospital
5. Withdraw from activities, people and circumstances that make you to drink alcohol.
6. Remove alcohol containers from your house and office
7. Seek other means of relaxation and socializing e.g., play games, watch movies with friends and families.
8. It is possible that you may feel unwell when you stop alcohol, this is the withdrawal symptoms phase. Your doctor can prescribe a medication to help with that.