The highs and lows of alcohol drinking.

How alcohol can change your mood.

Alcohol is known to be a psycho-active substance which, when you drink, can cause changes in awareness, your moods, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. A good example is that the brain uses a number of chemicals called neuro-transmitters to carry messages to the mind and body. One of these is dopamine, which is often known as the “happy hormone.”

When you start drinking, the body produces extra dopamine, which travels to the part of the brain and mind, which makes you feel good. The first couple of drinks will probably make you feel good, and encourage you to drink more to keep up the good feelings. However, the more you drink, the good feelings may disappear, and be replace by the less pleasant effects of too much alcohol. These can include confusion, clumsiness, and nausea.

Over time, you could need more and more alcohol to recreate the good feelings you first experienced in your earlier days of drinking alcohol.

Some ways alcohol can affect cognitive areas of the brain.

·        A depressant. Alcohol is often described by trusted sources as being a depressant, which is not the same as saying it will make you depressed. In fact, it can make you feel good for a short while. However, it does depress the body’s nervous system, especially the part of the brain which tells you what to do. Alcohol abuse can therefore make you less co-ordinated, more accident-prone, and unaware of danger.

·        Loss of inhibitions. Inhibitions have way of helping you to be cautious about things you may say or do. This loss can make you do things you would normally be hesitant or shy to do. It might not necessarily be a problematic issue, but loud speaking, loud singing, and unbridled laughter, can result in embarrassment later on. However, there might be consequences if you carelessly say something hurtful that you may later regret. There could also be a major disaster if you deny being under the influence, and foolishly insist on driving yourself home.  

In addition, if your embarrassing behaviour takes place in social situations, your peers may begin to view you in a negative light.

·        Hangover. The symptoms of a hangover from alcohol abuse include fatigue, terrible thirst, headache, nausea, dizziness, and light and sound sensitivity. These are just some of the symptoms which can occur. Most of the symptoms originate in the liver which is unable to detoxify all the toxins from the alcohol. These toxins then enter the blood stream and cause damage to other organs. You will also be at risk for permanent, serious liver damage.

·        Anxiety and stress. Alcohol has become a favourite coping mechanism for anxiety and stress, by increasing the body’s production of dopamine – the so-called happy hormone. This may help for a short time, and you may temporarily feel better and less anxious. However, it will soon wear off, and a dangerous cycle of drinking can begin.

Treatment is available for alcohol dependency.

These include:

·        Counselling by a professional therapist is highly recommended.

·        A potential detox program in a medical facility.

·        Medications which reduce the desire for alcohol.

Experts agree that because it is recognised as a chronic condition, and including the psychological nature of alcoholism, therapy should always be part of the treatment plan.