How Alcohol Affects The Brain: What You Need to Know

We live in a world where alcohol use has been normalized, whether it’s popping champagne for a toast, having a glass of whiskey at the end of a long day, or even just ordering a glass of wine during dinner. While most people can enjoy alcohol socially or have one or two drinks a week, there are those where just one sip can leave them down a slippery slope, culminating in alcohol addiction. While we all know that alcohol changes the way we feel, many of us don’t know what it does to our brains. With alcohol being one of the most widely used drugs worldwide, keep reading to learn more about how alcohol affects the brain, why you should avoid it, and, if you’re struggling with addiction, how to overcome it.

How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain? 

After just one sip, alcohol makes its way into the body, headed straight for the brain, and begins interacting with neurons (brain cells). Alcohol suppresses Glutamate transmission and enhances Gaba transmission, which makes you less excited and calms you down. It also means that you perceive less and remember less. For this reason, many alcoholics love the drug because it numbs feelings they want to forget. While a strong glass of whiskey might be okay to suffer a grievous loss, utilizing alcohol for this reason in the long-term is never okay and will set you up for serious addiction issues and ramifications in both your personal and professional life – not to mention possible financial problems.

Stimulant or Depressant? 

While it’s true that one glass of alcohol like wine can make you feel upbeat and give you a boost of energy, it’s also true that when you have several glasses of wine or several shots of your favorite tequila, you might feel tired, angry, sad, and oftentimes sick enough to vomit. The effects of alcohol, whether stimulating or depressing, will depend on how much you consume and how much your body is able to handle. This is because when you’re inebriated, your Gaba channels are wide open, and you begin to think very little but with intense clarity. For example, we all have a friend who, after a couple of drinks, just keeps saying, “I love you, man!” over and over throughout the night. While it may be funny, it’s a perfect example of how alcohol numbs and dumbs you down. 

Getting Help 

Whether it’s you or someone you know who’s struggling with alcohol abuse, there are many ways to get help out there. You might be wondering, does rehab work? And the short answer is yes if you commit to the treatment. Local AA meetings or other peer support groups may be enough for some. For others, just meeting with a therapist online is enough; however, for many, committing to an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation center is their best bet, as they have been shown to set people up for long-term and lifelong sobriety.

Finding the Right Treatment Facility

If you or a loved one has reached the point where it’s obvious they need more intervention than just therapy or support groups, finding the right treatment facility is paramount. For some people, local rehabilitation centers may be a good fit; however, countless studies have shown that traveling for rehab produces better results as it gets the addict away from familiar daily triggers. Most people find the best success in beautiful, serene settings in cities like San Diego, Honolulu, or Charleston, South Carolina. 

California is known for its state-of-the-art and innovative treatment of addiction issues, which makes it an ideal destination for those who really want to tackle their alcohol addiction head-on. One center renowned for its results is Restore Detox in San Diego. Restore is more than a detox center; it’s a transformative experience, a safe haven that ensures every aspect of your stay is comfortable and conducive to your healing process. Restore also works with many insurance providers, so if finances are a hurdle in your recovery journey, it’s worth checking out their website or calling them to get help in this area.

Final Thoughts 

As we’ve explored, alcohol’s effects on the brain can be subtle, but they can also quickly spiral into a serious problem for some. If you or someone you know is battling alcohol addiction, finding the right treatment in a form that aligns with your lifestyle and addiction level is the key to lasting sobriety. While partaking in alcohol may be fun in the short term, it’s not worth the long-term risks to your brain or overall well-being. Here’s to a healthy brain and a healthy relationship (or non-existent relationship) with the bottle. Cheers!