what are the effects of alcohol on mental health?
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One of the main problems associated with using alcohol to deal with mental health problems is that regular consumption of alcohol changes the chemistry of the brain. It decreases the levels of the brain chemical serotonin - a key chemical in depression.
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Risks of heavy alcohol use Excessive drinking can increase your risk of serious health problems, including: Certain cancers, including breast cancer and cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus and liver. Pancreatitis. Sudden death if you already have cardiovascular disease.
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Alcohol affects many parts of your brain, from the medulla to the cerebellum.
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There's some truth to the idea that alcohol can reduce stress. Alcohol is a sedative and a depressant that affects the central nervous system. At first, drinking can reduce fears and take your mind off of your troubles. It can help you feel less shy, give you a boost in mood, and make you feel generally relaxed.
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Trauma and grief will put personal, family and community relationships under pressure. The mental health impacts of disasters can lead to an increase in problematic alcohol and drug use, self-harm, violence and abuse – which may well act as early warning signs.
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Long-term use can lead to alcohol dependence and can cause many serious side effects, including: malnutrition, memory loss, mental problems, heart problems, liver failure, swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas, cancers of the digestive track, and others.
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Alcohol has also been tied to a lower risk of blood clots and decreased levels of inflammation markers. Many believe that the main benefit of alcohol comes from its ability to raise HDL cholesterol levels (the “good” type that helps sweep cholesterol deposits out of your arteries and protects against a heart attack).
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Put very simply, a major reason for drinking alcohol is to change our mood – or our mental state. Alcohol can temporarily alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression and people often use it a form of 'self-medication' in an attempt to cheer themselves up or sometimes help with sleep.
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Alcohol is a CNS depressant, so it can act on similar areas of the brain as other depressant substances. Consuming alcohol in moderation can lead to some desired side effects, including relaxation, lowered inhibitions, decreased anxiety, and greater sociability.
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Changes in brain chemistry from substance abuse or changes in diet can also cause mental disorders. Psychological factors and environmental factors such as upbringing and social exposure can form the foundations for harmful thought patterns associated with mental disorders.
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Heavy drinking can make you more likely to get serious health problems like liver disease, cancer, and peptic ulcers, among others. Regular or high alcohol use can hurt your heart and lead to diseases of the heart muscle, called cardiomyopathy. Drinking alcohol regularly also can raise your blood pressure.
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People with certain mental illnesses are far more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs. Half of all schizophrenics, for example, have a substance abuse problem of one form or another. Bipolar disorder and depression are also significant risk factors.
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Excessive alcohol intake can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure or stroke. Excessive drinking can also contribute to cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle.
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The health effects of either component of a vodka-Red Bull, however, are well documented. It's known, for example, that short-term alcohol consumption can lead to anxiety and memory loss, while long-term drinking habits can cause high blood pressure, brain damage, and liver problems.
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1. Anemia. Excessive alcohol use can affect the hematologic system, which is made up of the blood, spleen, bone marrow, and the liver. It can cause your red blood cell count to be abnormally low, which is a condition called anemia.
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Here's how alcohol can affect your body: Brain: Alcohol interferes with the brain's communication pathways, and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior, and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination.
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After TBI, many people notice their brains are more sensitive to alcohol. Drinking increases your chances of getting injured again, makes cognitive (thinking) problems worse, and increases your chances of having emotional problems such as depression. In addition, drinking can reduce brain injury recovery.