Studies indicate that when alcohol is consumed at low levels, it has some health benefits. As a result, most people turn into drinking when experiencing some stressful life events or during social occasions. However, research has also outlined various grievous effects of alcohol on the brain leading to many needing alcohol rehab programs in San Antonio TX.
When alcohol is abused for social purposes or self-medication, it causes many adverse effects on the body and brain. Severe alcohol addictions have also led to worsening or new mental health disorders requiring dual diagnosis treatment. Alcohol consumption should be limited or abstained from to avoid the following short and long-term effects of alcohol on the brain.
Alcohol effects on the brain take place immediately after the substance gets into the bloodstream. If you are healthy, the liver quickly filters the content as a way of removing it from the body. Nevertheless, excess consumption of alcohol makes it difficult for the organ to get rid of it, leading to immediate brain changes.
Some of these changes include alteration neurotransmitters levels, which are chemicals that transmit the signals throughout the body. Neurotransmitters also play a significant role in controlling your emotions, behavior, and physical activity. For starters, alcohol slows down the GABA neurotransmitter leading to the following effects:
Also, alcohol speeds up the glutamate neurotransmitter, which regulates dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical responsible for generating feelings of pleasure and well-being. Due to this change, people tend to experience a warm and fuzzy feeling when they drink. Other short term effects of alcohol on the brain include the following:
Heavy drinking can cause embarrassment, injury, or poor decisions with lasting consequences. Some people tend to think that they are safe since they experience nothing a mere hangover. Even so, a 2008 study indicates that regular drinking can have severe impacts such as the shrinking of the brain volume.
Binge drinking can also lead to permanent brain damage. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is one form of brain damage. People with these conditions have got thiamine or vitamin B-1 deficiency since alcohol abuse prevents sufficient absorption of nutrients. The signs and symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome include the following:
The above information proves that alcohol is actually a brain disease. If you cannot control how much you drink and you get emotional problems when you try to quit, you need help. Some people think that you can stop taking alcohol whenever you want. However, this is not always the case, and attempting to do so, on your own may not be helpful.
Fortunately, alcohol rehab programs in San Antonio, TX can provide you with affordable evidence-based treatment that will make a difference. San Antonio Recovery Center's treatment programs are designed to match each of the client’s needs. Moreover, we understand that recovery from alcohol addiction requires a full-term spectrum of treatment and not just one area.
Our alcohol-specific programs include:
Some of our other programs and services include:
Do not let alcohol use disorder to take away your joy in life. You can get assistance by joining a quality rehab. Reach us through 866.957.7885 and begin your healing journey and learn the effects of alcohol on the brain.
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