How Drinking Alcohol Affects the Brain

What is Alcohol?

Alcohol is a psychoactive drug and a central nervous system depressant that affects the way we feel and think. Alcohol can have temporary euphoric and sedative effects, but can also cause many negative physical and mental effects, both in the short-term and long-term.  

Drinking alcohol can lead to physical problems like liver disease, brain damage, addiction, and is associated with a number of cancers. It can also have a negative impact on the brain, and contribute to psychological problems such as aggression, anxiety, and depression.

How Alcohol Affects Brain Chemistry 

Alcohol affects brain chemistry by impacting the levels and activity of various neurotransmitters. Here’s how alcohol interacts with the following neurotransmitters. 

Alcohol and Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the regulation of mood and cognitive functions. 

Drinking alcohol causes the brain's reward system to release more dopamine, which produces sensations of pleasure and euphoria. This release of dopamine can also contribute to the reinforcing nature of alcohol consumption, making individuals want to continue drinking.

However, since the brain's reward system adapts and becomes less responsive when alcohol is consumed excessively, drinking can also result in a decline in dopamine production over time. This can cause a person to need to drink more in order to feel the same effects, known as tolerance. 

This means that although alcohol can initially cause an increase in dopamine release and contribute to pleasure benefits, excessive alcohol use can have detrimental effects, including addiction, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and other health issues.

Alcohol and Serotonin

Alcohol also interacts with the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is involved in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite, among other things. 

Similar to dopamine, alcohol can initially boost serotonin release in the brain, resulting in sensations of euphoria and relaxation.

However, excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on serotonin levels and the functioning of the serotonin system, causing a reduction of serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin deficiency can cause a variety of mood disorders including anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

Alcohol and GABA

Alcohol can increase Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA helps regulate the nervous system in the body, which can lead to feelings of relaxation, and reduces stress and anxiety. 

This increased level of GABA is what many people refer to as “taking the edge off.”

Long-term alcohol consumption makes the brain create glutamate, an excitatory family neurotransmitter that works as a counterweight to GABA and helps the brain adjust to greater levels of GABA.

Over time, as a person continues to drink alcohol, the number of GABA receptors will become desensitized, causing GABA withdrawal, which leads to heightened anxiety and stress.

Side Effects of Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol can cause many troubling side effects. Some are apparent only in the short-term, while others can carry into the long-term, and lead to severe health conditions. 

Short-term Effects of Alcohol

Some of the short-term effects of drinking alcohol include:

• Impaired judgment and coordination
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Loss of inhibitions
• Increased social behavior and relaxation
• Decreased response time
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Blackouts

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol can cause long-term physical and mental damage, and increases the risk of health concerns, which may include:

• Liver damage
• High blood pressure
• Cancer
• Pancreatitis
• Memory loss
• Weakened immune system
• Mental health disorders
• Alcohol addiction
  
  

Can Alcohol Permanently Damage the Brain?

Although alcohol doesn’t kill brain cells, as many people believe, it can lead to permanent brain damage in other ways, especially in regards to memory. 

How Alcohol Impacts Memory

Alcohol can affect memory, both in the short-term and long-term. 

In the short-term, alcohol can hinder the creation of new memories. The hippocampus, a part of the brain important for creating new memories, may be impacted by alcohol consumption. This is what can lead to “blackouts,” where a person cannot recall events that took place while under the influence of alcohol. 

Long-term excessive drinking can result in a decrease in gray matter volume in the brain, especially in the regions in charge of making decisions and creating memories, which can lead to issues with learning, memory, and attention.

How Damaging Are Alcohol Blackouts?

An alcohol-induced blackout is when someone who is intoxicated engages in certain behaviors without any recollection of the event. 

If a person binge drinks and experiences blackouts on a regular basis, this could cause permanent damage to the brain, especially concerning memory. 

Effects of Alcohol on the Adolescent Brain

Alcohol can have long-term effects on the developing brain. Studies have shown that adolescents who drink alcohol have less gray matter in their brains overall, but particularly in the regions that are involved in memory and decision-making.

Adolescent alcohol use can also have an impact on the white matter of the brain, which facilitates communication between the brain's various regions. This can lead to issues with cognition, emotional control, behavior, and attentional control.

Due to less GABA in their frontal lobes, teens may be less influenced by the sedative effects of alcohol, which may encourage binge drinking in order to achieve the desired effect from alcohol.

What Factors Influence How Much Alcohol Affects the Brain?

• How much and how often a person drinks: The more alcohol that is consumed, the greater the impact on the brain will be. A higher blood alcohol content (BAC) level can lead to more severe cognitive and motor impairments.
  
  
• The age at which a person first began drinking: People who started drinking earlier in life, before their brain was fully developed, are more likely to experience alcohol-induced brain damage.
  
  
• Gender: Women tend to have a higher risk of developing alcohol-related brain damage than men, due to differences in body composition, hormones, and the way in which alcohol is metabolized.
  
  
• General health status: People who have a poor overall health or suffering from other conditions such as liver or kidney disease, may be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol.
  
  
  

Alcohol and Mental Health

Since alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can have an impact on a person's mood, conduct, and general well-being, there is a direct connection between alcohol and mental health. 

Alcohol use disorder and mental health disorders often go hand-in-hand, and each can make the other worse. 

Alcohol and Depression

While some people may use alcohol as a self-medication to ease their symptoms of depression, drinking alcohol can actually worsen depression.

As we looked at earlier, alcohol can cause an initial spike in the dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, but eventually lead to an overall depletion of these feel-good chemicals. 

Alcohol use disorder and depression often go hand-in-hand (also known as a co-occuring disorder). People who struggle with alcohol use disorder are more likely to have depression, and people who have depression are more likely to develop alcohol use disorder.

Chronic alcohol use can also result in a range of physical health issues, including exhaustion, sleeplessness, changes in appetite, and weight changes, which can worsen depressive symptoms.

Alcohol and Anxiety 

Alcohol is often used in social settings as a social lubricant, and people with social anxiety will use it to cope with social situations. Since alcohol is a depressant, it can create temporary sedative effects which helps a person feel more calm and relaxed. 

However, as the alcohol starts to wear off, the sedative effects can be replaced by a heightened sense of anxiety. 

Drinking alcohol can also cause “hangxiety,” which is the feelings of anxiety that can occur during a hangover. 

Alcohol can also interfere with sleep, which can lead to fatigue and other physical health issues that can worsen the development of anxiety.

Alcohol and Stress

Many people turn to alcohol when they feel stressed or overwhelmed, as a way to “let loose” or “unwind.” While alcohol can help you feel more calm in the moment, it can lead to many other mental and physical health issues that will only cause you more stress. 

When you turn to alcohol every time you feel stressed, you are not learning effective ways of handling stress that will help you in the future.

Drinking alcohol in times of stress can also be a slippery slope towards an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, which could turn into an addiction. 

How to Unwind Without Alcohol

Using alcohol to unwind can be very problematic, and can keep you from developing coping mechanisms for managing stress. 

Here are some healthier ways to unwind that don't involve alcohol. 

1. Exercise: Exercise is a fantastic technique to reduce stress and encourage relaxation. Exercise releases endorphins, which are brain chemicals that can elevate mood and lessen stress.
   
   
2. Yoga and meditation: These practices can help you relax and reduce stress by focusing on the present moment and releasing physical tension.
   
   
3. Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a very beneficial way of processing difficult emotions, which can help reduce stress when you feel overwhelmed. 
   
   
4. Therapy: A therapist or counselor can offer a safe and supportive setting to examine and work through problems, and offer helpful coping mechanisms for dealing with stress. 
   
   

Why is Alcohol Addictive?

Alcohol can become addictive due to the desirable effects it produces in the short-term. As we looked at previously, alcohol affects the brain’s reward system, which can initially lead to feelings of calm, relaxation, pleasure, and euphoria. 

Over time, the brain’s structure changes in response to the amount of alcohol consumed, which can lead a person to become dependent on alcohol to function normally. 

Some people are also more genetically predisposed to developing an alcohol addiction than others. If one family member has an alcohol addiction, it is more likely that others could develop an addiction as well. 

Why is it so Hard to Quit Drinking?

It can be very difficult to quit drinking alcohol for a variety of reasons, even if you know alcohol is having a negative effect on your life. 

• Tolerance - Increased tolerance means that a person needs to drink more to achieve the same effects. This can lead to drinking more than intended and increasing the risk of alcohol-related problems.
  
  
• Withdrawal - When a person becomes dependent on alcohol and then tries to quit, they may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may include nausea, insomnia, irritability, or in more extreme cases, tremors or seizures.
  
  Experiencing any of these can be enough for someone to turn back to drinking in order to ease the symptoms.
  
  
• Social Pressures - Alcohol is everywhere. It’s hard to find a social event where alcohol isn’t served, and alcohol is associated with times of celebration. It can be very easy to convince ourselves to “just have one,” when at a social gathering.
  
  
• Using Alcohol to Cope - Many people use alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress, depression, or anxiety. When someone stops drinking, they may feel overwhelmed by these problems and may not have other ways to cope.

It’s important to remember that alcohol is an incredibly powerful drug, and no matter who you are or how much willpower you have, it is not easy to quit drinking. 

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

It’s always important to consider your relationship with alcohol, and the effect it has on your life.

Here are a few signs to look out for when identifying if you or someone you know has an alcohol addiction:

• Unable to quit or cut back on drinking
  
  
• Using alcohol as a coping mechanism
  
  
• Prioritizing alcohol over other responsibilities
  
  
• Showing increased tolerance to alcohol
  
  
• Experiencing cravings or withdrawal symptoms
  
  
• Often drinking alcohol alone or during the day
  
  

What Happens When You Stop Drinking?

When you stop drinking, you will likely experience some negative side effects at first. It’s important to remember that these side effects are only temporary, as your brain and body get used to the lack of alcohol. 

After the initial withdrawal period, you should start to experience many benefits that come with quitting alcohol. 

Effects of Alcohol Withdrawal on the Brain 

Alcohol withdrawal can have a significant impact on the brain, causing a range of symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Some of the most common effects of alcohol withdrawal on the brain include:

Alcohol Withdrawal and Depression

Many people experience heightened feelings of depression when they first quit drinking. This is because when we drink often, dopamine levels are consistently raised by alcohol, causing the brain to become dependent on alcohol for dopamine production. 

Over time, the brain creates less of its own dopamine to try to balance out the levels it is receiving from alcohol. This means that when you quit drinking, you have removed your brain’s primary source of dopamine, which will cause you to feel depressed. 

If you were previously using alcohol to self-medicate when experiencing depression, you may feel more depressed when you quit, because you now have to feel the full effects of your situation without using alcohol to suppress these feelings. 

Alcohol Withdrawal and Brain Fog

Brain fog is a common withdrawal symptom that affects your ability to think clearly. 

During the early stages of withdrawal, brain fog occurs as a result of your brain trying to remember how it used to function before it was constantly bombarded with alcohol.

Fortunately, brain fog from alcohol withdrawal should start to dissipate after a few days without alcohol. 

Alcohol Withdrawal Fatigue 

When you are dependent on alcohol, your body depends on it to feel normal. When you stop drinking alcohol, your body can have a difficult time adjusting, which may result in fatigue.

Mental Benefits of Quitting Drinking

After the initial transition period has ended, you will start to experience the many great benefits that come when you stop drinking alcohol. 

• Improved sleep: Alcohol can disrupt sleep, resulting in poor sleep quality. When alcohol is not consumed, the body can return to its natural sleep pattern, and enter REM sleep, leading to more restful and uninterrupted sleep.
  
  
• Improved mental clarity: After the initial withdrawal period which may be accompanied by fatigue and brain fog, quitting alcohol can actually improve your mental clarity. You will be able to focus better on tasks and have improved memory.
  
  
• Reduced anxiety: Alcohol can cause changes in brain chemistry that worsen anxiety. Quitting alcohol can help you improve emotional regulation and lead to a reduction in anxiety.
  
  
• Improved mood: After the initial withdrawal period, quitting drinking can help to improve your mood, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increase feelings of well-being.

Tips to Help You Stop Drinking

• Identify triggers: Be aware of what triggers you to drink, and make a plan for how to effectively deal with these triggers when they arise.
  

Dangers of Quitting Drinking Abruptly

For those who have been heavily drinking for an extended period of time, abruptly quitting drinking can have dangerous effects. 

Severe, life-threatening withdrawal symptoms include: tremors, seizures, insomnia, and confusion.

For this reason, it is crucial that individuals who wish to quit drinking do so under the supervision of a healthcare professional, as they can provide support and medication to help manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications.

How Addiction Treatment Can Help You Regain Control

Attending treatment for alcohol addiction can give you the tools you need to help you regain control of your life.

• Identifying & addressing underlying issues: Addiction often goes hand-in-hand with other disorders. Addiction treatment can help individuals identify and address underlying issues such as mental health conditions, trauma, or relationship problems that may have contributed to the development of their addiction.
   
• Building a support system: Addiction treatment allows clients the space to meet people who can support them on their recovery journey. This includes healthcare professionals, therapists, and peers who are also in recovery.
  

• Developing coping mechanisms: When you are in recovery from an addiction, it’s essential that you don’t replace one addiction with another. That’s why addiction treatment will teach you healthy, productive coping skills that you can implement at any stage of your life.
  
  
• Learning life skills: Addiction treatment can help individuals learn new life skills, such as budgeting, time management, and communication, that can help them to regain control of their lives and to maintain their sobriety in the long term.
  
  

Types of Addiction Treatment

When seeking treatment for yourself or a loved one, it can be overwhelming trying to determine the different types of addiction treatment, and which treatment option best suits your needs. 

Here's a brief overview of the three main types of addiction treatment. 

1. Outpatient Treatment: Outpatient programs occur on a part-time basis, and have plenty of flexibility. It does not require the individual to live at the facility. Rather, they will attend group therapy and/or individual therapy a couple times a week. 

2. Intensive Outpatient Treatment: Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are best suited for those who are looking for structured, intensive treatment that occurs on an outpatient basis. This allows individuals the flexibility to continue living at home, attending work/school, while having the accountability and support of a treatment center. 

IOPs consist of individual therapy and group therapy, which typically meet a few times a week for a few hours at a time. 

3. Inpatient Treatment: An inpatient addiction treatment program is the most intensive form of treatment, and requires the individual to live at the treatment facility for a period of time. Here, they will have constant access to a medical staff, where they will be able to focus on their recovery in a controlled environment. 

Get Started With Alcohol Recovery of Virginia

At Aquila Recovery of Virginia, we offer intensive treatment programs and outpatient programs for alcohol addiction recovery.  If you are in need of an inpatient treatment facility, we can recommend a reputable facility for you. 

Our staff is experienced in treating alcohol use disorders, as well as co-occurring disorders. 

If you would like to learn more about our programs and how we can help, contact our addiction recovery specialists today.