Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs. Yet, many people today are unaware of this issue, as alcohol is a legal substance that millions of people consume. Just because alcohol consumption is common doesn’t take away the fact that alcohol is addicting.
Alcohol impacts the body in many short-term and long-term ways. Over the short term, alcohol can provide individuals with a surge of pleasure upon consumption. However, long-term excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact your physical and mental well-being.
At Spirit Mountain Recovery, we’re here to provide the support and resources you need to start your addiction recovery journey. Our drug and alcohol addiction treatment center in Utah provides a non-judgemental facility with individualized treatment options so clients can receive the care and support to specially target their exact needs to live a life of sobriety. In this article, you’ll learn more about why alcohol is addictive, how does alcohol impact the body, and how to find treatment to end your alcohol addiction.
Contact us today to learn more about how you can start your road to recovery.
Why is Alcohol Addictive?
Alcohol is a legal drug that many people can forget is an addictive substance. Alcohol is addictive because it releases dopamine into the brain. Dopamine is considered a “feel good” neurotransmitter that provides you with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. When you consume alcohol, your brain experiences surges of dopamine, thus increasing your feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.
Over time, your brain becomes accustomed to these dopamine spikes from alcohol and expects you to consume more of the substance, or a higher concentration of the substance, to achieve the same desired effect as before. This can be extremely dangerous as the higher your tolerance for alcohol or another drug, the more likely you’ll overuse the substance and put yourself at risk for an overdose. Not to mention, your body will crave more and more of the substance to appease uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Additionally, since alcohol consumption is common among social settings like bars, sports events, parties, and even family gatherings, alcohol is not one of the most accessible drugs, but it can be difficult to remain sober long-term because of the visible triggers at home and in public.
How Does Alcohol Impact the Body?
Alcohol can impact the body in many ways. As discussed above, alcohol can release dopamine into the brain, providing pleasure and satisfaction. However, alcohol consumption can significantly impair the mind and body if you drink too much for your body to handle. The alcohol effect on the body can be significant, especially if you excessively drink alcohol.
Here are some common short-term ways excessive alcohol consumption can impact the body::
- Impaired judgment
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Slurred speech
These short-term effects of alcohol overconsumption show it can greatly impair your physical and mental judgment. Over time, as your body increases its tolerance level towards alcohol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms that can cause great pain and discomfort.
Common withdrawal symptoms you may experience from alcohol addiction include symptoms like headaches, anxiety, insomnia, mood changes, fatigue, tremors, and more which can significantly impact your body and daily life.
What are the Long-Term Effects of Alcohol?
There are several long-term effects of alcohol overconsumption. Some common long-term health risks of excessive alcohol consumption include:
- High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease
- Cancer (i.e. breast, mouth, throat, liver)
- Weakened immune system, which decreases your body’s ability to fight off illness/infection
- Memory and learning problems
- Mental health issues
- Social problems such as risking relationships with friends, family, and professional relationships
- Alcohol dependence/addiction
Therefore, there are many physical and mental ways to understand how does alcohol impact the body. Not to mention, it can damage and destroy relationships with loved ones.
How to Find Alcohol Detox Programs in Utah
You never have to battle addiction all on your own. Now that you know how does alcohol impact the body, there are countless alcohol detox programs in Utah and across the country that offer a supportive place to receive the treatment essential to quitting your alcohol addiction. Spirit Mountain Recovery offers drug and alcohol detox in Utah to help you break free of addiction so you can live a normal, healthy life of sobriety. Spirit Mountain Recovery provides a men’s addiction treatment program in Utah where you’ll receive specialized treatment options to effectively treat your addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact us today so we can help you live a life free of addiction.
