Jessie Wallace health: EastEnders star on ‘out of control’ drinking – dangers of alcohol

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Back in 2020, Wallace was reportedly suspended from the BBC soap for two months after being “drunk on set”. The incident came after the star lost a whopping two stone a few years ago, after ditching her “wild lifestyle,” which involved drinking alcohol and partying. Since then, Wallace has been pictured at the pub, and in 2018 was sent home from the British Soap Awards for being tipsy. In addition, the actress’ former boyfriend Chris Osborn spoke out in the same year, revealing more about the star’s alleged drinking habits.

Osborn, a builder who dated the star for three months back in 2006, told newspapers that Wallace would drink multiple bottles of expensive wine, and partake in other wild shenanigans including jumping in swimming pools with her clothes on.

On her latest suspension from the BBC soap, back in 2020 an insider said: “Bosses were left with no choice but to discipline her.

“During the meeting she was told to sort herself out before returning to work.

“It’s such a shame Jessie’s out for a while because this really is such an exciting and historic time for everyone working on the show.”

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that Wallace is struggling with alcohol-related problems, but in the past the actress has admitted that the toxic substance has caused her problems.

Talking in 2006, she spoke not only about alcohol, but trying drugs as well. She said: “I wanted to see what it was like. I’ve done it at parties and taken hard stuff with friends. I’ve never been a complete druggie. I regret it now.

“For a period it was getting out of control. I went through a phase of not caring about what I did when I was drunk,” she confessed.

“Every time I was drinking I got into trouble. I guess sometimes I did provoke it. Everywhere I went there was trouble, trouble, trouble.

“I had to let people know the truth so I can put it all behind me. I regret all of it and I don’t ever want to do it again.

“In the past I’d answer back, but no more,” Wallace continued. “I don’t need the hassle. I’ve got Tallulah [her daughter] to worry about now. Having her was the turning point.”

The NHS warns that alcohol is a “powerful chemical” that can have a wide range of adverse effects on almost “every part of the body” including the brain, bones and heart.

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:

  • High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems
  • Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, oesophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum
  • Weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick
  • Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance
  • Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety
  • Social problems, including family problems, job-related problems, and unemployment
  • Alcohol use disorders, or alcohol dependence.

Alcohol poisoning and other symptoms such as the ones detailed above, can leave individuals feeling badly dehydrated in the morning. This can also cause a severe headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and indigestion.

If individuals drink less than 14 units a week, it is considered “low-risk drinking”. However, this level of drinking can also cause risk to individuals’ health. The type of illnesses you can develop after 10 to 20 years of regularly drinking more than 14 units a week include:

  • Cancers of the mouth, throat and breast
  • Stroke
  • Heart disease
  • Liver disease
  • Brain damage
  • Damage to the nervous system.

There is also extensive evidence to suggest that alcohol can have adverse effects on individuals mental health. Bupa, explains that the chemical changes in your brain when you drink alcohol, can mean more negative feelings start to take over, such as anxiety, depression, anger or aggression.

This is important, as in the short-term, many think that having an alcoholic drink can be used as a distraction from stress and anxiety. Alcohol causes these effects on the brain as they target neurotransmitters, disturbing them from sending messages from one nerve in the brain to another.

In extreme cases, alcohol drinking can sometimes cause a mental health condition called alcohol-related psychosis. This causes individuals to experience hallucinations and delusions when they are either intoxicated or when they suddenly stop drinking.

For those who may need help to overcome alcohol-related health problems, cutting down or stopping drinking is usually just the beginning. Most people will need some degree of help or a long-term plan to stay in control or completely alcohol free.

This can include attending self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which uses the “12 step” programme to help individuals overcome addiction.

Help and advice for people with a long-term condition or their carers is also available from charities, support groups and associations. Help and advice is available 24 hours a day seven days a week on 116 123 or via email at [email protected]. Or at the Drinkline on: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).

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