You may think the answer to “Is Alcohol a Stimulant?” is an easy no. Yet, it isn’t that simple. Studies conclude that in microdoses it acts as a stimulant. Yet, in moderate to large quantities, as it is most frequently consumed, it is a depressant as it is medically classified. But how and why is alcohol a stimulant? Here are all the answers to how alcohol affects your body, alcohol use disorders, and who is most at risk of developing AUD.
How is Alcohol a Depressant?
When alcohol enters the body, it suppresses brain activity, thus slowing cognitive functions and central nervous system response. As it rapidly absorbs in the bloodstream, the liver cannot keep up with the workload. This results in overtaxing vital organs like the liver and heart while the brain and central nervous system are told to slow their response time. This results in nervous system compromisation by distorting neurotransmitter communication with nerve cells.
How Does Alcohol Affect the Body?
How exactly is alcohol a stimulant and a depressant at the same time? It centers around how specific amounts affect the body. As introduced in the previous section, it takes very minimal amounts to almost untraceable levels for it to have stimulating effects. Any amount of alcohol above that suppresses brain activity and nervous system response. Consequently, the regions of the brain responsible for decision-making, reflexes, and cognitive response are most affected by alcohol. This is due to suppressed brain function in conjunction with all bodily efforts being diverted to the kidneys and liver for alcohol processing and expunging.
Who Are Most Likely to Develop AUD
Everybody has the potential to fall victim to alcohol use disorder. However, the following factors put individuals at high risk for developing AUD.
History of Abuse
If you are being or have been abused in the past, this tragedy can lead to a plethora of mental health issues, including alcohol use disorder. In this case, alcohol is used as a coping mechanism for individuals who haven’t been taught to process their pain. That’s not to say it’s easy to do. That’s why experiencing these tragedies leads to a higher likelihood of developing AUD.
Depression Sufferers
Individuals who suffer from depression are also at a higher risk of acquiring an alcohol use disorder. In this case, alcohol is utilized by people who are depressed in an attempt to escape their mental struggles. Ironically, alcohol is a known exacerbator of depression symptoms. Yet, the effects often become addicting, leading to AUD. In such circumstances, dual-diagnosis treatment may be necessary to help one recover from co-occurring disorders.
Previously Existing Substance Use Disorders
Recent drug statistics tell us anybody with an underlying SUD is at a high risk of acquiring a drinking habit. Although any standalone drinking habit is dangerous, this is especially dangerous because of the compounding effects. These effects are both mentally and physically harmful. One is for the obvious health concerns and dangers of mixing drugs and alcohol. Secondly, for the induced and worsening mental conditions associated with a drinking habit.
Personal Hardships
Suffering a hardship like the loss of a loved one, a divorce, or other similar life occurrences is understandably difficult to handle. That’s why many, even those who are not drinkers, can easily fall victim to developing an AUD. Therefore, dealing with underlying hardship through therapeutic training before AUD temptations arise can help you overcome your root struggles proactively. Reach out to us now to take proactive action towards your mental and physical healing.
Hereditary Factors
If your family has a history of alcohol abuse, it could be a genetic disposition. However, that only means you could be born with the inherent desire to drink. It’s important to understand that you write your history. You can break the trend of running alcohol problems in your family by taking a stand today. That stand starts with reaching out to our fully devoted team. That all-important first step of taking action is often the first and greatest obstacle to achieving sobriety.
What Treatment Options Does Focused Addiction Recovery Offer for Alcoholism?
There is no shortage of programs and mental training that are specifically designed to treat each substance battle with a unique approach. Here are just a few of the many effective alcohol-centered treatment programs we have to offer.
Group Therapy
Alcohol use disorder sufferers are often in a place where they feel alone in their battle. Group therapy exposes them to other similarly-minded individuals who can relate to one another’s struggles. This serves a dual-fold purpose of fending off loneliness and establishing a solid support structure. Speak to our empathetic receptionists to learn more about our life-changing therapy programs.
Individual Therapy
Some people may work better in a less public environment like individual therapy. This allows a therapist to get to know you on a deeper level. This enables your specialist to have a well-rounded, deeper understanding of your addiction history, your battles, and your relationship struggles. These are all equally vital pieces of information for your therapist to map a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.
Partial Hospitalization Programs
Partial hospitalization programs, or PHP, are conducted at an on-site facility. However, depending on the circumstances, you can still live at home while taking your on-site sessions throughout the week. These sessions are especially helpful in establishing a structured schedule and reinforcing accountability with an accountability partner. Whether that form of accountability is your therapist or a loved one is up to you.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
In the most severe cases, prescription drugs may be a necessary recovery aid. Medication is used when the body and mind have developed such a dependency that quitting cold turkey can be harmful to your body. Once the body has reached this level of addiction, your body requires a certain amount of alcohol. Therefore, without it, your body could go into shock and bodily distress like seizures or other dangerous reactions. These prescribed medications help you remain off alcohol, minimize withdrawal symptoms, and temporarily rely on the medication as your body expunges alcohol toxins and dependency from your system.
Focused Addiction Recovery Offers Alcohol Treatment in NC
Your search for a high-quality alcohol treatment program ends with FAR. We make your long-term sobriety and happiness our passion by ensuring you have every rehab tool you need to succeed. At FAR, you are the priority and every rehab journey is equally important to us. We’ll help you see that the sky is the limit to what you can accomplish. Don’t go for small-time treatment, go FAR. Your joyful rehab journey begins here.
