Damaging Effects of Alcohol on The Brain

Slurred speech, difficulty concentrating, recklessness, and impaired decision-making skills are just a small sampling of the adverse effects of alcohol on the brain. While several of alcohol’s negative effects make their appearance after only a few drinks, many of its more damaging consequences evolve over time. Even so, alcohol is commonplace in nearly every culture. Nearly 70 percent of adults reported having at least one alcoholic beverage in the last month. Alarmingly, approximately 23 percent of U.S. adults report binge drinking behavior on a monthly basis.

Alcohol dependency develops slowly, hardly detectable at first, but gradually claiming a central role in the daily life of the heavy drinker. Whatever your reason for using alcohol, it’s important to realize that over time, heavy use can seriously impact brain health. If you’re concerned about long-term cognitive functioning, recovery centers offering sober living in Jacksonville, FL can help you overcome alcohol dependence and reclaim your life.

Short-Term Alcohol Effects On The Brain

As a central nervous system depressant, ethyl alcohol – the active ingredient in beer, wine, and spirits – has a number of negative short-term effects on the brain. The overarching short-term consequence is depressed cognitive functioning; depending on the amount of alcohol you consume, you may experience:

• Loss of coordination
• Impaired critical thinking skills
• Blackouts and short-term memory loss
• Loss of inhibitions
• Increased blood pressure
• Vision impairment

When you cease drinking, and your liver and kidneys effectively process the alcohol in your bloodstream, symptoms diminish. However, with continued heavy use, short-term consequences often evolve into long-term impairments.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol On The Brain

Over time, heavy alcohol consumption may elicit seriously negative cognitive consequences. Long-term alcohol effects on the brain involve eroded brain tissues, leading to decreases in both grey and white brain matter. Grey brain matter exists in regions of the brain responsible for processing sensory perception, emotions, memory, self-control, and decision making. Neurons that control motor functioning also exist within grey brain matter. White matter is responsible for transmitting incoming sensory information. As alcohol slowly destroys grey and white matter, heavy drinkers may experience the following long-term effects of alcohol on the brain:

• Learning difficulties
• Decreased attention span
• Memory loss
• Difficulty integrating new information
• Impaired visual and spatial awareness

The heaviest drinkers risk developing severely damaging effects of alcohol on the brain, the worst of which is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Characterized by permanent memory loss, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may also lead to loss of muscle coordination, inability to form new memories, hallucinations, delusional storytelling, coma, and death.

Why You Need an Alcoholism Treatment Program

Alterations in your brain chemistry will continue to drive you to drink, even if you hope to kick your habit. Your brain releases “feel-good” neurotransmitters when you consume alcohol, leading to feelings of euphoria and reward. Because your brain is dependent on the substance, when you attempt to forego alcohol, you feel sad, irritable, angry, or depressed. These negative emotions drive you to drink again, pursuing the feelings of happiness, sedation, and contentment alcohol delivers.

Detoxing from alcohol can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, some even requiring emergency medical attention. To ensure your detox is as safe and comfortable as possible, it is essential that you commit to a supervised, quality detox program. After completion of your detox program, you may choose between an inpatient or outpatient alcohol rehabilitation program. Throughout your rehab, you’ll acquire valuable tools and skills that will assist you in both your recovery and transition to sober living.

Reclaim Your Life at Beaches Recovery

If you’re struggling with alcohol dependency and want to take back control, committing to a quality alcohol rehab program can change your life. Detoxification and rehabilitation are extremely difficult to navigate without the guidance of a trained and compassionate team. At Beaches Recovery, our inpatient and outpatient programs offer you round-the-clock support and counsel to help you achieve long-lasting sobriety. Contact us today at [direct] to learn more about your treatment options.