Studies conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggest that genetic factors also influence how the brain reacts for different people when they consume alcohol. The brains reward and pleasure centers become overloaded when an individual consumes alcohol regularly, resulting in cravings to repeat their drinking habits and behaviors. This also makes relapse more likely when one attempts to quit drinking.
What may begin as recreational alcohol use can quickly become abuse and can easily transition into an alcohol use disorder or alcohol dependence. Alcohol is also commonly used as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety , or other discomforting emotions and feelings. This coping mechanism can become a habit that may seem impossible to break. Fortunately, there are many alcohol treatment centers available that offer psychotherapy to help individuals find the motivation and hope to begin their recovery process.
When someone has an alcohol use disorder and suddenly quit drinking, or rapidly reduce the amount they consume, they will experience what is called alcohol withdrawal syndrome AWS , also known as withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol vary from psychological to physical and may include but are not limited to:. When used recreationally and in low doses, alcohol has less risk for problematic effects; however, in large quantities, especially when consumed in short periods of time, there are many risks to be aware of.
An alcohol overdose , also called alcohol poisoning , causes severe depressant effects on the Central Nervous System CNS which may result in various side-effects, including:. These responses are reactions caused by regular, overconsumption of alcohol, usually in a short period of time. Chronic, long-term use of alcohol can also have health risks, such as:. Despite being aware of the consequences of alcoholism and long-term alcohol use, many individuals continue to drink, which is the nature of addiction.
If you have struggled with an alcohol use disorder, or witnessed someone you love struggle with alcohol dependence, you know how powerful alcohol is as a drug. It may seem like reaching out for help can be challenging; however, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
There are many inpatient and outpatient treatment centers available to help you or your loved one overcome their addiction to alcohol and begin the road to recovery. Trying to quit on your own is dangerous and has a high-risk of relapse due to the various discomforting symptoms. Ultimately, both physical and psychological addictive factors come into play when overcoming addiction, making it ever so important to reach out for professional help. Contact a treatment provider today for treatment options that can lead to a life without addiction.
Theresa is also a Certified Professional Life Coach and volunteers at a local mental health facility helping individuals who struggle with homelessness and addiction. Theresa is a well-rounded clinician with experience working as a Primary Addiction Counselor, Case Manager and Director of Utilization Review in various treatment centers for addiction and mental health in Florida, Minnesota, and Colorado.
She also has experience with admissions, marketing, and outreach. As a proud recovering addict herself, Theresa understands first-hand the struggles of addiction. There is no limit to what Theresa is willing to do to make a difference in the field of Addiction! All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Don't See Your Insurance? What is Alcohol? Drinking and Driving. Young People Versus Adults. What's the Difference? What is Binge Drinking? What is Alcoholism or Alcohol Dependence?
International Statistics. The Youngest Victims. Alcohol: A Short History. The Truth About Drugs. How much do you really know about alcohol? Contact Us. Start Free E-Courses. Take the Quiz. Download Booklets. Law Enforcement. It is this ethanol that, when consumed, changes the way our brain and body function. Different types of alcoholic beverages contain varying amounts of ethanol.
Certain drinks will cause more intense symptoms than others. The higher the alcohol content, the stronger the symptoms. Addiction is not affected by the content of alcohol. It can happen whether you consume beer or harder substances like liquor. The main question is—is alcohol a drug?
Alcohol is a type of depressant, similar to many prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. Is alcohol a drug that is considered as intense as prescription depressants? Yes, alcohol is just as addictive as Xanax, Lunesta, Klonopin, or any other depressant. The side effects of alcohol are what drives us to seek it out and drink it. How many of us go to a social gathering and enjoy a beer or glass of wine? Do those drinks help you to relax and be more sociable?
The marriage of food and alcohol is often enjoyed, especially with BBQs, dinner parties, and cocktail hours. The potential dangers of alcoholism are clear.
Alcohol can lead to physical damage, risky behavior, and conflict in social situations leading to a decrease in inhibitions with the riskier behaviors that may result from this lack of inhibition. The most immediate side effect of alcohol is that it makes us feel drunk. Is alcohol a drug that can cause serious and lasting side effects? Alcohol has a myriad of negative side effects, including alcoholism.
An alcohol addiction treatment program may help you quit drinking and avoid the long-term consequences it can have on your liver, pancreas, brain function, or body in general. Long-term use of alcohol changes our brains and bodies in ways we may not be aware of. This deficiency can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, which is a brain disorder causing encephalopathy or psychosis. Is alcohol a drug that worsens existing mental disorders? In short, yes, it can. Alcohol abuse is associated with numerous mental disorders and can exacerbate their severity.
Why is alcohol a drug of choice for so many of us? Alcohol does not require a prescription and is obtainable by merely going to the store. Is alcohol a drug that only affects adults? No, it has the same addictive ability for teens, middle-aged adults, as well as the elderly. Binge drinking is popular among people of all ages. More than half the binge drinks consumed happen to be by those over 35 years old.
When is alcohol abuse a drug problem? The varying demographics of alcohol abuse and addiction are startling in contrast to what many of us think. If you see yourself in any of the above scenarios, facts, or statistics, you need help. Many people with an addiction to alcohol do not view themselves as alcoholics. Taking the first step in admitting you are an alcoholic is the hardest part of this recovery journey. Did you know that someone dies because of a drunk driver every 50 minutes in the U.
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