How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain?

Alcohol is a substance that has been around since 7000 BC when it was discovered that the first alcoholic beverage was a mix of fermented honey, rice, and grapes. I am sure back then, they did not have any idea as to the question how does alcohol affect the brain? In society, many now consider themselves to be “social drinkers,” and others insist they are a so-called “high-functioning alcoholic.” But what happens when it gets out of control? 

How does alcohol affect the brain? Well, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 29.5 million people ages 12 and older have alcohol use disorder. Alcohol slows the brain’s central nervous system, which controls much of how we behave. In this article, we will discuss how alcohol affects the brain.

The Chemistry of Alcohol in the Brain

How does alcohol affect the brain? Alcohol targets areas of the brain responsible for balance, memory, speech, and judgment due to its effects on the central nervous system (CNS). It makes it harder for one part of the brain to communicate with another. 

When someone consumes alcohol, a chemical called GABA is released, which is responsible for relieving anxiety and stress. Glutamate is another chemical that affects and is responsible for the function of neurotransmitters or chemical messengers in the brain.

Lastly, dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that play a key role in the reward system that induce pleasure, are released when alcohol is consumed. This is a part of the reason why many fall victim to alcohol abuse. When asked how does alcohol affect the brain, the simple answer is it causes certain neurotransmitters to be released, and it slows brain communication.

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

When consumed, alcohol is taken in through the lining of the stomach and into the bloodstream, where within 10 minutes, it can begin to show its effects. Dopamine and serotonin release, which bring about a feeling of euphoria. Glutamate begins to affect the communication of neurotransmitters, and this causes the central nervous system to slow down. This can lead to short-term effects that include mood swings, an impairment of rational thinking, and motor coordination issues.

As we have all seen in sobriety tests, police can determine if someone has been drinking or not by making the suspect walk in a straight line. If they are off-balance, chances are they have consumed too much alcohol. It can also cause slurred speech and blurred vision, making it hard to react to what is occurring around us.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

When considering how does alcohol affect the brain, as well as how alcohol changes your brain, it is important to mention the long-term effects of chronic alcohol use. Over time, too much alcohol can literally poison the brain and body. It has been shown to lead to depression and anxiety and can disrupt the function of both. This includes alcohol-related brain damage or ARBD. When too much alcohol is consumed, the brain’s structure can change, leading to permanent impairment. 

Alcohol also affects the liver, which is responsible for the processing of nutrients, and it can cause cardiovascular problems such as heart disease.

Alcohol and Cognitive Function

Think of the brain like a computer. When you consume too much alcohol, it is like slowly unplugging wires that keep the computer running. In this light, cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and learning are affected by long-term alcohol use. These can be permanent issues if too much alcohol is consumed over a long period of time, as the brain begins to deteriorate. Alcohol is toxic to brain cells, and it kills them off one by one. If continued use occurs, the brain begins to reconstruct, which can lead to general cognitive decline.

Alcohol and Mental Health

When discussing how does alcohol affect the brain, we cannot ignore its drastic effects on mental health. As alcohol affects neurotransmitters responsible for mood, such as dopamine and serotonin, it can cause anxiety and mood swings due to its role as a depressant. If continued use occurs, it can lead to permanent emotional and psychological disorders. 

Yes, you heard right: drinking too much alcohol can cause the development of clinical depression and clinical anxiety, which are usually treated with medication. This leads to a vicious cycle, as many will continue to drink to mask those symptoms, only leading to further brain and bodily damage. It is also used often by those who suffer from mental health issues, as many drink to cover up depression, to ease anxiety, and to self-medicate when feeling down.

Brain Recovery After Quitting Alcohol

Luckily, if sobriety is maintained and you stop drinking, the brain is a marvelous thing. It can begin to repair itself through a process called “neurogenesis” – the creation of new neurons, which are killed off or damaged when someone consumes alcohol. Another factor is “synaptic plasticity,” which takes those new neurons and helps them communicate with each other. 

When this happens, the brain can begin to function like normal. Mind you, this does not happen overnight, but it shows that if you stop drinking and seek help, such as at Muse Treatment, many of the issues associated with long-term alcohol use can be reversed. The body can also begin to repair itself, restoring you to healthy functioning over time.

Strategies for Protecting Brain Health

Want to know how does alcohol affect the brain? So far, you should have a good understanding of it. Now, let us focus on ways to prevent it. It is important to keep your brain functioning properly. Aside from drinking less or seeking a rehabilitation program for an alcohol use disorder such as Muse Treatment, if you are going to drink, do it in moderation. 

Also, engage in physical activity, take care of your brain and body with nutrient-rich foods, and get plenty of sleep. This is typical advice for anyone, but especially for someone who drinks. Even if in small doses, alcohol can, over time, cause biological and neurological issues, and the best way to keep yourself out of harm’s way — if you choose to drink — is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you feel you cannot control your drinking or experience withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, lightheadedness, or intense anxiety, please seek help. It will only get worse.

The Role of Professional Treatment in Recovery

Closing up on the big question — How does alcohol affect the brain? — we have to examine the options for professional treatment, including inpatient alcohol rehab and outpatient alcohol rehab, for those struggling with alcohol addiction. Of course, the first step is to stop drinking, which can be dangerous or even deadly without detoxification programs. With detox, you are medically supervised so that you do not risk your life while your body reacts to the lack of alcohol.

Second, talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy, can help you understand your thoughts and emotions, which allows you to vocalize them. When you do so, you may uncover reasons you drink that you were unaware of. Lastly, having a strong support system or support group (such as Alcoholics Anonymous) is essential. The one thing more dangerous than addiction is loneliness, and with the right people around you, you can be held accountable for your sobriety.

Get Help with Overcoming Alcohol Addiction at Muse Treatment

All of these types of programs are available at Muse Treatment. We offer a specific alcohol addiction treatment program, and we personalize your treatment plan. Everyone has different needs and will require their own sobriety system, which is what we do here. You will be surrounded by positive staff, and your health (both physical and mental) will flourish as you break free from your alcohol addiction. Contact us online or call 800-426-1818. We are here.