Depression and Alcohol

Alcohol is found today in many different settings. Many of our customs and events within our culture today incorporate alcohol at some level. While drinking occasionally in moderation poses very little threat, excessive drinking has increased dramatically over the last few years with drinkers not only drinking more, but starting at younger and younger ages.

What effects exactly does alcohol have on the brain? Alcohol, along with other drugs like tranquillizers act directly as depressants on the brain. Since these drugs slow the brain down, they are needed in higher levels to produce the same results. In essence, the brain builds a tolerance to alcohol and alcohol effects are reduced. The cycle of alcoholism begins as the individual is forced to drink more to get to original effects alcohol once had on their mind and body and the need for alcohol only grows.

Alcohol can also cause;- 1) Dementia - In which we loose our memory, similar to Alzheimer’s dementia.

2) Psychosis - A slow loss of touch with reality leading to hearing voices and more.

3) Dependence - At this point quitting alcohol has both physical and mental withdrawal symptoms occur from sweating and shaking to nervousness and even hallucinating.

4) Suicide - About 40% of men who have attempted suicide have had an alcohol dependency related problem at some time. Almost 70% of suicide victims were drunk at the time they ended their lives.

Most certainly there is a connection between depression and alcohol. Self destructive behaviors of both mental and physical nature are common among people who are dependant on alcohol. These behaviors range from mood swings and irresponsibility to self affliction and suicide. Studies have also linked chemical changes in the brain to the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol increases feeling of depression by way of family problems, performance issues at work, and alcohol even effects memory and sexual performance that can led to frustration.

While alcohol can help us to forget our problems, it is only temporary. Alcohol may help us feel more relaxed and more confident in social situations, but again it is only temporary. Once the temporary fix is over, the problems and issues that perhaps even started the drinking in the first place are still there and many times are even worse.

Many people find an escape in alcohol or a way to help cope with the pressures in life without realizing the truth hidden at the bottom of the bottle. The real truth about alcohol is that it will develop into an addiction if it is allowed. You will become addicted to the way it makes you feel and soon your body too will become addicted to the way alcohol or the lack of alcohol has on it. If you have fallen victim to the dangers and negative effects of alcohol you must first recognize alcohol as the problem. By admitting it exists, you can deal with the challenge of overcoming your addiction. Resources such as stopdrinkingadvice, an online blog are helpful in their support and guidance.

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