It is not uncommon for people to have a cocktail, a glass of wine, or a beer at an event. However, social drinking—one or two drinks at a gathering with others—is different from alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is considered an uncontrolled dependency on alcohol characterized by intoxication and symptoms. When you abuse alcohol, it impacts your brain in several ways. Alcohol’s effects on the brain will vary from short-term to long-term, but you will still feel the impact.
If you or a loved one is drinking heavily and know you need to end your addiction, an alcohol detox center in Los Angeles will help you reach sobriety. Learn more about alcohol’s effects on the brain and how to start your recovery journey by calling Detox LA at 818.616.7341.
How Is Alcohol Abuse Related to Brain Function?
When we think about drinking, we often consider the outward appearance of someone drunk. Slurred speech and stumbling are indications of impaired brain functioning. However, when a person abuses alcohol, it can go deeper than their outward appearance and impact the normal functioning of their brain.
Our brain is a complex organ that needs its neurotransmitters to be balanced for us to function properly. Consuming too much alcohol will cause an imbalance. This chemical imbalance will disturb the brain’s equilibrium.
The short-term effects of alcohol abuse will impair a drinker’s ability to function. Additionally, the long-term effects of alcohol abuse will impair the drinker’s ability to think and navigate life without using alcohol.
Short-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol has the power to affect the brain in many ways. The most significant short-term effect of alcohol abuse on the brain is intoxication. When someone is intoxicated, their alcohol consumption impacts the central nervous system, making a drinker appear:
- Confused
- Like they lack motor coordination
- Unable to make good decisions
If someone consumes too much alcohol, they will experience alcohol overdose or poisoning. When someone experiences poisoning, they may experience:
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
- Suppressed respiratory system
- Slowed heart rate
- Vomiting
Falling into the cycle of alcohol abuse and drinking too much can even lead to death. When someone has consumed too much alcohol, their mind and body become impaired. For example, if they drive a car drunk, they cannot concentrate on the road, placing themselves and others at risk.
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse
Consistent, heavy drinking will lead to long-term brain impairment. While short-term effects of alcohol abuse might deal with the immediate appearance or body function, long-term effects of alcohol abuse will impact the brain differently.
For long term drinkers will face the following impairments:
- Anxiety
- Cancer
- Depression
- Heart conditions
- Insomnia
- Liver malfunction
- Moodiness
- Memory loss
- Weakened immune systems
- Moodiness
Take the First Step to End Your Alcohol Addiction with Detox LA
The moment you begin drinking heavily, it hurts your brain’s ability to function. You may realize that your drinking has gotten out of hand if you:
- Need to drink often throughout the day
- Hide your drinking habits from family and friends
- Consume more alcohol to achieve the same feeling
- Use alcohol to manage anxiety, depression, or emotions
- Cannot stop drinking
If your drinking habits leave you feeling depressed or experiencing physical differences in your body, it is time to get help. Detox LA will support you in taking the first step to becoming sober. There’s no reason to struggle with trying to withdraw on your own. With our alcohol detox program, you will no longer be thinking about using alcohol to manage your emotions or focusing on drinking. Instead, you will have the support of mental health practitioners and physicians so that your body can heal properly.
Contact Detox LA at 818.616.7341 today to develop your plan to succeed in sobriety.