Understanding How Alcohol Affects Your Way of Thinking
Many people who have been affected by alcoholism go through significant changes to the way their brain works. These changes are also what support continued alcohol abuse, driving the individual further into addiction. Due to the way alcoholism affects the brain and the mental health of sufferers, continued alcohol abuse can lead to serious psychological problems. Additionally, people often turn to alcohol to self-medicate the symptoms of a mental illness such as depression or anxiety. The combination of alcoholism and a co-existing mental illness is known as dual-diagnosis.
How Alcoholism Affects the Mind
When alcohol enters the bloodstream, it travels to the brain and slows down its activity. This is why people become sluggish and confused with the alcohol more they consume. This slowdown is visible to others as individuals are likely to exhibit common signs of intoxication including:
- Lowered inhibitions
- Increased risk-taking behavior such as casual sexual encounters
- Diminished control over behavior and mood swings
- Impaired memory and judgment
- Disorientation and confusion
The types of mental effects from drinking alcohol vary from person to person, according to how much they have consumed. When a person has consumed too much alcohol and has started to feel its negative effects, they may experience any of the following:
- A blackout which is a type of amnesia
- A semi-unconscious state or stupor
- Complete loss of consciousness, even coma
If a person continues to consume alcohol for a sustained period of time, their psychological symptoms are likely to get worse unless they get treatment. In order to overcome the damage done to mental health by alcoholism, addiction treatment therapy is the most effective path to recovery.
Get First Class Addiction Treatment in Orange County at Casa Recovery
Casa Recovery places you at the center of focus with a personalized addiction treatment program in San Juan Capistrano. We understand that everyone is different when it comes to addiction and so it’s important to use the right approach. If you are seeking help to overcome alcoholism, contact Casa Recovery at our exclusive rehab center in Southern California for more information today.