Minneapolis Alcoholism Treatment & Rehabilitation What is Alcoholism and How Does Alcohol Use Impact Functioning?   

Alcohol and Consciousness:  

Depending on the type and quantity used, alcohol can have direct, harmful impacts on your health. Some experts believe that a single glass of wine has little negative (and maybe some positive) effects on the body, but any further consumption can begin to take its toll on the body. 

Alcohol alters consciousness by changing the levels of existing neurotransmitters. Alcohol increases GABA (a calming neurotransmitter) which produces relaxation, lowered inhibition, and drowsiness. It inhibits glutamate, dulling thinking, memory and coordination. It also releases dopamine and endorphins, leading to pleasure, sociability, pain relief, and reinforcement of drinking behavior. Essentially, alcohol lowers cortical control (the “thinking brain”) and lets the limbic processes (the emotional, instinctive brain) take over. That’s why it can feel freeing, or volatile. 

Alcohol and Nerves:  Alcohol can damage nerve tissue, even with moderate use. Signs of nervous system disruption following alcohol use include:

  – Speech becomes slurred. 
  – Muscle coordination feels more difficult. 
  – Balance can be affected. 
  – Peripheral nerves are damaged resulting in weakness, numbness, or pain, usually in the hands and feet. 

Neuropathy resulting from chronic alcohol use can become widespread and permanent, and can lead to profound disability. Chronic and severe alcohol use can also cause permanent brain damage because of the redistribution of neurotransmitters. In some cases, this may take the form of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which affects memory. 

Brain damage associated with alcoholism may be the result of vitamin deficiencies and other dietary deficiencies that chronic and severe alcohol use almost always causes. Alcohol use may impair the absorption of certain nutrients and vitamins, like vitamin B1.

Alcohol Dependency (now called “Alcohol Use Disorder”): Chronic users of alcohol are first “hooked” on the immediate psychological effects of drinking, but may develop a physical and emotional dependency on alcohol over time. 

This can look like: 

– Their social life may revolve around drinking habits and begin to depend on the altered perception that alcohol gives them.
  – Alcohol “slows down” brain function and changes the way nerves send and receive messages. At some point, the central nervous system adjusts to having alcohol around all the time. 
  – The alcoholic body’s control system works to keep the brain in an awake state and keep the nerves interacting. When the alcohol level suddenly drops, the brain remains in a hyper-alert state without the depressive effect of the alcohol that it’s used to. 
  – Similarly, when the depressant effects of alcohol are withdrawn, other bodily functions that have grown accustomed to slowed activity go into a hyper-active mode, which could be experienced as painful or deeply uncomfortable.  

Treatment for Withdrawal: Treatment for alcohol withdrawal may be recommended to be completed in a detox facility.

In these facilities, the level of sensory demand is reduced by: 

  – A quiet environment. 
  – Soft lighting. 
  – Limited contact with people. 
  – A positive, supportive atmosphere. 
  – Healthy food and lots of fluids. 
  – “Sedative” medications like benzodiazepines are prescribed for anxiety and insomnia.

Inpatient care is indicated if blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, seizure activity, or hallucinations point to a more serious disorder.  

Organ Damage from Alcohol: The damage caused by chronic use of alcohol in higher-than-safe concentrations goes beyond damage to nerves. 

   – Damage to the digestive tract can prevent the intestines from properly digesting food and absorbing nutrients and vitamins, which can lead to malnutrition.
  – Ulcers or hemorrhoids may develop because of chronic dehydration and constipation. Specifically, bleeding ulcers may develop, which can be fatal. 
  – Cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, or liver have been linked to chronic drinking. Those who drink while smoking are at higher risk. 
  – Heart disease has been linked to chronic drinking, especially among women. Other effects on the circulatory system include high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, blockages to blood flow, stroke, heart attacks, and heart failure. 
  – Anemia and reduced absorption of vitamins and minerals. 
  – Alcoholics often believe that drinking enhances sexual function, but in fact, alcohol is linked to erectile dysfunction. Chronic alcohol use can prevent sex hormone production. 
  – Women with chronic drinking problems may stop menstruating, putting them at greater risk of infertility, premature delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirth.

– ‎​ Fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD)  has become a serious concern. The fetus of a mother who absorbs high levels of alcohol is likely to be born with high levels of alcohol in their blood. This may require detoxification at birth and can lead to long-term physical and neurodevelopmental issues in the child.

  – Long-term alcohol use may cause the bones to become fragile. Fractures therefore become more likely and may take longer to heal. 

  – Muscle weakness, cramping, and eventual muscular atrophy may occur. 

  – Drinking reduces the body’s natural immune system, increasing the likelihood of infection. 

  – Chronic drinkers are more likely to develop infections like tuberculosis. 

Alcohol use has effects that are complex and system-wide. Some of the damage is caused by the chemical itself and its direct effects on the body, while some of the effect stems from social functioning that is altered by addiction.

Club Recovery is a leading Minneapolis alcohol use disorder treatment center, and has been in continuous local operation since 1998. Please https://clubrecoveryllc.com/contact-us/ to learn more. 

Disclaimer: All content on this website is for informational purposes only. It does not substitute for clinical treatment or advice. If you, a friend, or a family member is struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues please call our main office at 952-926-2526. For emergencies, go to your nearest emergency room and/or dial 911.