subject: Addiction To Alcohol-mental Disorders Caused By Alcohol [print this page] Alcoholism is a popular condition that does not discriminate any race, sex and age of an individual. This has been affecting thousands of households all over the world. Nearly all the documented traffic accidents and fatalities of domestic violence are related to alcohol. Addiction to the substance does not only cause devastating results in the addict's life but also to his loved ones and society in general.
As a depressant, alcohol when taken, directly affects the central nervous system. When an individual drinks, it goes through the stomach and makes its way into the blood stream. The process proceeds as the blood carries it to the other parts of the body. When it reaches the brain, it will disturb the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid which is responsible for making a person sleepy. Experts of alcohol treatment believe that the higher the quantity of alcohol in the body the greater risk for a person to acquire serious psychiatric implications.
Alcohol slows down the activities of the central nervous system which controls a person's breathing, heart rate and important transmission of signals in the brain. It can make a person relax but will make his senses dull. It impairs the ability of the neurotransmitters that distribute information throughout the brain. Alcohol can affect the level of performance, control and sharpness of an individual. It also affects his impulse and mood control as well as memory stability.
According to experts of alcohol treatment, there are many cases of alcohol addiction that implies the connection of alcohol to psychological disorders. The psychiatric implications of the substance may include major depression, anxiety disorder, memory issues, insomnia and suicide attempts. Alcohol can also exaggerate violent behaviors such as anger, aggression and irritability which often lead to dangerous fights and disputes.
Some study shows that women are more vulnerable to psychological concerns of alcohol than men. They usually have these troubles before they tend to start abusing alcohol. Men show greater developments of mental disorders as they become addicted to the substance. However, both sexes are susceptible to brain damage with prolonged excessive consumption of alcohol. Alcohol addiction alters the chemical reactions in the brain causing cells to malfunction. Some people assumed that the psychiatric effects of alcohol have environmental and genetic causes. There are individuals who are consuming too much alcohol but are not affected. There are also others who just take small quantities but have been struggling from the side effects.
When drinking any kind of alcoholic beverages, it is important to understand your limit. If you think alcohol has been causing mental issues to your loved one, you should not hesitate to ask help as soon as possible.
