Effects Of Alcohol On Mental Health
Alcoholism is a prevalent problem that affects millions of lives across the globe
. For years, some individuals believed that alcoholism only affects the physical aspect of alcoholics but we failed to consider that alcoholism also affects the mental state of an individual. To know more about the implications of alcoholism on the mental health of alcoholics, read the article below.
For thousands of years, mankind enjoyed and drank alcoholic drinks as part of their normal activities and special occasions such as birthdays, christening, weddings, promotions, parties and the likes. For young adults, alcohol consumption is part of their social conditioning and considered as normal activity into adulthood. Alcohol is advantageous to the health if taken in moderation but damaging when taken in extreme amounts and frequencies. When alcoholism is not resolved immediately, it can result to financial difficulties, employment problems, domestic problems and diseases.
Meaning of alcoholism
According to the definition of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the term "alcoholism" refers to the craving and yearning of alcoholics to consume alcoholic drinks. It is characterized by the lack of control to stop ingestion of alcoholic beverages and experiencing withdrawal symptoms in its absence, thus they yearn for larger quantities of alcoholic beverages to obtain the same effects and sensation. Since it is deemed as a disease, it has its corresponding physical, social and mental side-effects. Its side effects vary from one person to another depending on the frequency of intake and the amount of alcohol taken.
With the tremendous rise of alcoholism cases nowadays, myriad alcoholic treatment programs and rehab clinics are created to meet the diverse needs of alcohol dependents and alcohol abusers such as alcoholism rehabilitation program, residential alcohol treatment, private treatment centers, holistic treatment programs, herbal alcohol treatment programs and many more.
Contrary to the beliefs of some individual that alcoholic drinks are stimulants, they are wrong because these are depressants that depress the functions of the human brain. If smaller consumption of alcoholic drinks improves the moods of alcoholics, then it works the opposite when ingested in large dosages.
Statistics
According to the poll results of the Mental Health Foundation, eight of the ten alcoholics surveyed affirmed that they take alcoholic drinks to become more relaxed, happy, less depressed, more confident and less anxious. Data also shows that moderate drinkers are in higher risks of suffering mental illnesses. One in every five alcoholic Americans confirmed that they are unhappy, depressed and experienced high levels of anxiety, sadness and stress. Meanwhile, one in four alcoholic women and one in eight alcoholic men experienced severe mental depression in their lives because of alcoholism.
For the past 15 years, about 25 million Americans visited their doctors to avail expert services and treatment programs for alcoholism such as rehab center, holistic treatment programs, private alcohol rehab centers and many more.
Physiological effects of alcoholism
Since alcohol is a depressant that lowers the norepinephrine and serotonin levels of the central nervous system. It temporarily ceases the effects of stress hormones, leaving alcoholics feeling much worse than what they feel before they ingest alcoholic beverages. It just shows that the longer an individual abuses alcohol, the longer his mental health deteriorates. Moreover, alcoholism can lead to mental depression, anxiety, irritable, impulsive, dementia and other types of mental disorders.
Lastly, if you know someone who is alcoholic, it is advisable to seek medical treatment and guidance immediately to save his or her life. At present, there are several social, medical and religious organizations that furnish information and assistance to alcoholics. It is important to inform and educate alcoholics about the harmful effects of alcoholism. Remember that it takes determination, time and commitment to return to normal life and to stay sober.
by: Joey Young
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