Mental Side Effects of Alcoholism
Short and Long Term Mental Side Effects of Alcoholism
Like any type of substance abuse, alcoholism can cause both severe physical and mental side effects. For many people struggling with AUD or Alcohol Use Disorder, there are short and long-term mental side effects caused by their alcoholism.
Alcoholism can impact people in any age bracket, from any walk of life, and affects people across all races and regions of the United States. Alcoholism can affect many areas of a person’s life, including their career, love life, family relationships, and finances. All of these can be impacted by the mental side effects of alcoholism. That’s why any form of AUD, whether it’s binge drinking, self-medicating, addiction, or any other aspect of the disorder, should be taken seriously. It’s never too late or too soon to seek treatment to minimize how alcoholism will affect your life.
Factors that Affect the Extent of Alcohol’s Influence on the Brain
Like the effects of any disease or disorder, the mental side effects of alcoholism are impacted by other factors specific to the individual. These include the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, the age when the person first began drinking and how long they continued, the age, education level, gender, genetic background, family history of alcoholism, and the individual’s general health.
Although almost anyone can struggle with AUD, some individuals are more susceptible, and those who will be more negatively impacted by the symptoms and short-term and long-term side effects. If you think someone you love is struggling with AUD, some groups can help. At WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab, we coordinate and encourage both clients and their family members to take advantage of support groups available to them.
Short Term Mental Side Effects of Alcoholism
Alcoholism has its own set of unique qualities, just like abuse and addiction to other substances, some of which make it harder to treat. Across America and throughout many other countries, alcohol consumption is not only permissible but an accepted part of society. That’s why some of the side effects are often overlooked as just a part of how it goes when people drink.
A few of the short-term mental side effects of alcoholism include difficulty focusing, relaxation and diminished stress, reduced inhibitions, memory problems, affected vision, coordination, and reflexes. Many of these are often laughed off when people drink and become part of their life narrative. Many people like to tell humorous stories about a time they drank too much, and often one or more of these mental side effects is the backbone of the tale.
Long Term Mental Side Effects of Alcoholism
While short-term side effects of alcoholism may be shrugged off by many, when they become chronic and lead to long-term mental side effects, more people start to notice. Showing up late once in a while might be met with a withering frown in some professions, but when it becomes a habit, almost anyone’s career can be affected.
Some of the long-term mental side effects include increased depression and anxiety, tolerance development, increased substance use, dependency, otherwise known as alcoholism, impaired learning, memory capacity, and interrupted brain development. If you have developed a tolerance to alcohol beyond what seems normal or dependent on drinking every day to function, please call us right away.
Alcohol Rehab and Detox at WhiteSands
WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab offers comprehensive treatment for AUD. Our programs include inpatient alcohol detox, inpatient and outpatient rehab, and coordination of aftercare programs. We also have extensive educational services for our clients and their family members, including relapse prevention, an essential component of anyone’s recovery. We offer luxurious residential facilities with top-notch amenities to help our patients have a positive rehabilitation experience. If you would like any information about alcoholism and our treatment programs, please contact us at any time.
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.