When a person addicted to drinking turns their consumption into a recurring act, the long-term consequences of alcohol can become permanent. Alcoholism is one of the most serious diseases that exist in terms of addictions. And the organ most affected is always the brain. Therefore, we must exercise maximum care and drink responsibly at all times. If that is not possible, a difficult and lengthy rehabilitation process must be initiated.
Addictions are one of the worst afflictions a person can suffer in terms of health. In addition to being difficult conditions to overcome, they entail a whole series of short- and long-term effects that can mark a person for life. This fact is of special significance for people considered to belong to a vulnerable group. Some individuals are more predisposed to suffer dependencies than others. And therefore, they are exposed to a higher level of risk than other people when they use drugs or suffer from a behavioral disorder due to addiction.
We explain 6 of the main consequences of alcohol on the brain:
Development of Emotional Disorders
Alcohol consumption alters brain function. And therefore, when a person becomes intoxicated they cannot act normally due to the effects it causes on neurons and brain receptors of information. In this situation, emotional disorders tend to appear, such as depression or anxiety.
Drinking too much causes serotonin levels to decrease, a neurotransmitter that manages individuals’ mood. When the habit of drinking becomes a recurring act, the consequences of alcohol on personality transform into emotional disorders. Subsequently, the addict suffers continuous psychological changes based on negative thoughts.
Impediment of Brain Development
The tendency to drink alcohol has become over the years an increasingly frequent habit among young people and minors. Social consumption that without sufficient control or responsibility can create serious consequences for their health. One of them is the paralysis and/or limitation of brain development in people of early age, such as adolescents.
The consequences of alcohol on the brain of minors can create serious alterations. In this way, significant deficits can appear that affect their cognitive abilities and motor functions. Normal functioning of the body and brain is thus impeded, which ends up affecting behavior. In the long term, this fact impacts learning and memory.
Destruction of Neurons
The harmful effects of alcohol affect any age, but have a greater impact on adolescents. Because their brain is not yet developed, the substance affects their neural network with a higher risk potential. Habitual consumption prevents the development of new cells. Therefore, as more time passes with the addiction, the number of neurons created is lower than usual during the growth and maturation stage.
Severe Brain Damage
One of the main areas affected by the long-term consequences of alcohol is the hippocampus. A brain region responsible for storing memory and new data. What happens when an adolescent gets drunk is that this section of the brain can be partially or totally damaged, preventing its ability to maintain or increase memory. Even after having left the addiction, it is possible that the damage will remain or become chronic.
Episodes of Psychosis
Consumption of high doses of alcohol or frequent habit can lead to episodes of psychosis. An emotional state that translates into multiple hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions. Similarly, if a person stops drinking suddenly they may suffer from delirium tremens or alcohol withdrawal syndrome. A behavioral disorder that in individuals with a long history of alcoholism also leads to a negative psychological state. Some of the symptoms it can generate are:
- Hyperstimulation of the adrenergic system
- Suffering from headaches
- Constant anxiety
- Physical tremors
- Nausea and vomiting
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
One of the most common long-term consequences of alcohol is the loss of vitamin B1. A substance necessary to store thiamine, essential for normal functioning of the organism. In 80% of cases, when a recurring alcohol drinker abuses drinking they may suffer from Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. A disorder that creates encephalopathy in the brain and is very difficult to treat.
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