The subject of mental health is vast and varied but let’s break it down to one very common contributor and result of psychiatric issues in our society today — alcohol abuse.
Dry January has been getting a lot of attention lately in the news and on social media. Many people vow to give up alcohol for the month after the excesses of the holidays.
Some interesting facts about alcohol:
- Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage worldwide. After water and tea, it’s the most common drink consumed in the world.
- The oldest booze is wine, invented in China in 7000 BC.
- 6 minutes is how long it takes the brain to begin to react to alcohol.
- Women absorb more alcohol, metabolize it more slowly, and are at greater risk for long-term damage from excessive drinking.
- Men are more likely to engage in more high-risk behavior while drinking excessively.
Alcohol can actually change our brains. Our brains physically adapt to our environment to help us perform better at whatever we are doing. When we consistently drink, our brains change nerve cells and connections to help us function better while we are consuming alcohol. Once the brain adapts to alcohol, it does not “unadapt” – even when we stop drinking. Some of the changes continue to be a problem throughout our lives.
Effects of alcohol abuse
Most of us are aware of the outward signs of chronic alcohol abuse. Let’s dive deeper into some of the effects overconsumption of alcohol can create inside the brain.
Damage occurs to the pathways to different parts of the brain, causing them to “burn out,” resulting in a noticeable slowing in the reactions in these pathways. The gray matter in the brain can actually shrink. These noticeable changes include problems with verbal fluency, processing speed, working memory, attention, and problem-solving.
For most people, treatment, if started in time, allows the brain to heal, and much of the physical damage to the brain can be reversed.
MRI studies have shown the gray matter lost due to alcohol abuse can begin regenerating within two weeks of abstinence.
The bottom line is if you or someone you care about is having difficulty controlling their alcohol use, abstinence can reverse much of the physical and cognitive damage if the treatment begins in time.
Treatment options
There are many treatment options available. Very few are able to control their drinking and live a life of sobriety without help and support. Groups such as Al-Anon (for family members or friends of alcoholics) and Alcohol Anonymous provide free lifetime help and support in the form of group meetings, literature, and individual sponsorship. They also provide opportunities to meet and fellowship with others struggling with this disease or dealing with a loved one who has become powerless over alcohol.
Habersham Mental Health Center, located at 196 Scoggins Drive in Demorest, provides alcohol and drug abuse treatment combined with outpatient care. In addition to accepting Medicaid, Medicare, and insurance, self-pay is available with sliding scale fees based on income and other factors.
Your healthcare provider can also assist you in exploring options for help for yourself or a loved one.
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