Depression And Alcohol

Alcohol is found today in many different settings. Many of our customs and events within our culture today incorporate alcohol at some level. While drinking occasionally in moderation poses very little threat, excessive drinking has increased dramatically over the last few years with drinkers not only drinking more, but starting at younger and younger ages.

What effects exactly does alcohol have on the brain? Alcohol, along with other drugs like tranquillizers act directly as depressants on the brain. Since these drugs slow the brain down, they are needed in higher levels to produce the same results. In essence, the brain builds a tolerance to alcohol and alcohol effects are reduced. The cycle of alcoholism begins as the individual is forced to drink more to get to original effects alcohol once had on their mind and body and the need for alcohol only grows.

Alcohol can also cause;- 1) Dementia - Whereby we loose our memory, similar to Alzheimer's dementia.

2) Psychosis - A slow loss of touch with reality leading to hearing voices and more.

3) Dependence - At this point quitting alcohol has both physical and mental withdrawal symptoms occur from sweating and shaking to nervousness and even hallucinating.

4) Suicide - About 40% of men who have attempted suicide have had an alcohol dependency related problem at some time. Almost 70% of suicide victims were drunk at the time they ended their lives.

There is no doubt to the correlation between depression and alcohol. Self affliction and suicide are common behaviors among people who are alcoholics. There is also evidence linking chemical changes within the brain that can effect emotions from consuming alcohol. It is only natural that depression would arise from the problems that drinking can create on family and personal relationships, work performance, and even diminished memory and sexual performance.

Alcohol is only a brief, temporary escape from the world. All of the problems are still there the next day, many times amplified by the added problem of drinking. Alcohol may seem the answer to facing life's issues or to make events seem more fun and even making socialization easier, but this is only the mask that hides the real truth. The real truth is that alcohol will only create more problems for you and that temporary fix will eventually not be enough to escape from the downward spiral of alcoholism.

Many people find an escape in alcohol or a way to help cope with the pressures in life without realizing the truth hidden at the bottom of the bottle. The real truth about alcohol is that it will develop into an addiction if it is allowed. You will become addicted to the way it makes you feel and soon your body too will become addicted to the way alcohol or the lack of alcohol has on it. If you have fallen victim to the dangers and negative effects of alcohol you must first recognize alcohol as the problem. By admitting it exists, you can deal with the challenge of overcoming your addiction. Resources such as stopdrinkingadvice, an online blog are helpful in their support and guidance.