The effects of alcohol can appear both occasionally and recurrently, affecting the brain. If consumption is excessive, it can lead to irreversible brain damage.
The effects of alcoholism impact the body from the very first drink. In the short term, these effects intensify and persist over time as consumption becomes more frequent. Although common patterns exist, the consequences derived from alcohol consumption are not the same for everyone. There are considerable differences depending on age, sex, or weight.
Short-term effects of alcohol
1. Loss of consciousness: these are common when large amounts of alcohol are consumed very quickly. Blood alcohol levels rise sharply, causing fainting and loss of consciousness.
2. Memory lapses: minor impairments in the hippocampus that can occur a few hours after consuming small amounts of alcohol. If ingested in large quantities and on an empty stomach, one may experience forgetting longer intervals of time or even entire events.
3. Impulsivity: it interferes with the connections in the brain’s prefrontal cortex (the area responsible for mediating impulsivity and behavioral organization). The person becomes susceptible to experiencing impulsive and aggressive behaviors.
Long-term effects of alcohol
4. Limited brain development in adolescents: consumption at an early age interferes with proper brain development, creating significant deficits in the retrieval of verbal and non-verbal information and hindering learning and memory.
5. Emotional disorders: the consumption of alcoholic beverages alters serotonin levels in the brain and promotes the appearance of all types of emotional disorders in the individual, such as depression or anxiety.
6. Psychosis: extreme addiction to alcohol generates a state of psychosis that produces all kinds of hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions. This syndrome causes headaches, constant agitation, body tremors, nausea and vomiting, and even death.
How to quit alcohol
The alcoholism treatment provided by CCAdicciones has the primary objective of returning control of the patient’s life to them, in an environment that provides support to stop drinking. The first visit is free and serves as the basis for the medical team to assess and advise on the most appropriate type of alcohol detox treatment. More information by calling 977 809 523.
