There are times in my life where my opinions tend to go overboard. Sometimes, my beliefs are too damn good that it somehow survives an argument. Of course, some of them turn out to be true, while I stick with those that are not. I guess I want people to believe that I am worth a conversation, even if sometimes I genuinely do not know what I am talking about.
When it comes to mental illness, I always make sure to get all the attention I could have to talk about it openly with friends, colleagues, and family. Do not get me wrong. I believe that one way of getting rid of the emotional and mental dilemma is through happiness. Sadly, my definition of happiness lies in the arms of a thing called “alcohol.”
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Alcohol, Depression, And Me
I must admit, every time I feel lonely, empty, and a bit confused about life, I always turn to alcohol. I have this strong sense of belief that whatever struggle life may bring, as long as I can go to bed and temporarily forget about it, I’m good. Honestly, that strategy works fine with me, but not until I realized I got addicted to my coping habit. Now, I think I am paying the price.
How does alcohol affect your mental health?
Alcohol affects brain chemicals, and it can make the symptoms of mental health conditions worse. It slows down your central nervous system and brain functions. It impacts the area of the brain that controls inhibition. Yes, drinking a few amounts may cause you to feel less anxious and more confident. But those are short-term effects. That is because alcohol lowers the serotonin levels in the brain, and that causes changes to your mood. Once you drink excessively, it automatically increases levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
How do alcohol cause depression and anxiety?
Alcohol is a depressant. While there are instances that you might feel relaxed after a drink, the long-term effects tend to differ. Alcohol creates an impact on mental health and often contributes to feelings of anxiety and depression. It also makes stress harder to deal with. Thus, regular, heavy drinking interferes with brain function that eventually results in an overwhelming mental health issue.
Why do depressed people turn to alcohol?
Some individuals drink alcohol because they believe it to be a good coping mechanism to relieve their stress and worries. They thought that it helps with anxiety and depression. They thought of it as a kind of medication that distracts them from persistent feelings of loneliness and sadness. However, they do not realize that almost all of them get drawn to alcohol’s sedative effects. These people believe that alcohol provides an overall relief. Honestly, it may well do, but this would only be temporary.
Is drinking alone a bad sign?
While drinking alone is entirely common, frequent practice leads to signs of alcoholism. It can be quite acceptable when someone is drinking on occasion and in moderation. There is a guarantee that controlled habit does not make a person an alcoholic. However, when an individual starts to drink alone and on a more frequent basis, that solitary drinking can turn into an addiction or alcohol dependency real quick. When there is an overwhelming desire to drink that makes the individual unable to stop, that is the moment that addiction is present.
Does alcohol kill brain cells?
The truth is, alcohol consumption doesn’t kill brain cells, even in heavy drinkers. However, it does damage and negatively impacts the ends of neurons in the brain, called dendrites. These neurons may suffer from difficulty relaying messages to one another. Too much alcohol interferes with Neurogenesis, or the process of your body to make new brain cells. Thus, sustained periods of alcohol drinking lead to the overall shrinkage of the brain.
Does alcohol make you dumber?
In a more precise explanation, people who frequently experience blackouts after heavy drinking sessions usually find themselves struggling to pay attention to important things and often have trouble concentrating. That is because too much alcohol leads to the brain’s malfunction that causes disorganized thoughts, confusion, and difficulty learning a new skill. Heavy drinking is also linked to memory problems as well as dementia.
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What is considered heavy drinking?
Heavy drinking for most men is typically defined as consuming 15 drinks or more per week. For women, it is the consumption of 8 drinks or more per week. But it is not limited to that. Excessive drinking in the woman also includes binge drinking early in the morning and any drinking while pregnant.
Do brain cells grow back?
Yes. The process of growing back brain cells is called Neurogenesis. It normally occurs in the healthy adult brain, particularly in the hippocampus. It is known as the important area of the brain that supports learning and spatial memory.
Can the brain repair itself after experiencing a stroke?
The initial recovery following stroke is most likely focused on decreasing the swelling tissues of the brain. There should be removing toxins from the brain and improving the circulation of the brain’s blood. With that, one can guarantee that cells damaged but not beyond repair will start to heal and function more normally.
Do brain cells regenerate every seven years?
No. The average age of a cell is seven years. However, that doesn’t mean that every cell gets replaced in 7 years. Brain cells do not regenerate as you age. However, your hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory, can grow its cells.
Can the brain heal itself from alcohol?
After a long period of self-restraint from alcohol, individuals may endure recovery. They can assure that some of their brain functions will fully recover with therapy and proper medication. However, that might not happen to everyone since others may require more work. It is vital to realize that heavy and binge drinking results in permanent damage to the brain and nervous system.
What happens after two weeks of no alcohol?
You will reap the benefits of better sleep and hydration after two weeks off of alcohol. Usually, it is more likely that you will experience a few nights of bad sleep due to the effects of alcohol chemicals in your system. Fortunately, this doesn’t last long since there is a gradual reduction of symptoms such as reflux or stomach acid burns.
What are the first signs of liver damage from alcohol?
Generally, the first signs of liver damage from alcohol start with symptoms such as the dry mouth and increased thirst, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and nausea. Your skin may turn jaundice or yellowing of the skin. Also, your feet or hands may look red.
Does your liver repair if you stop drinking?
Some alcohol-related liver damage is reversible. With proper medication and treatment, plus a changed in an active lifestyle, the healing process can start as early as a few days to weeks after an individual quits drinking. However, if the damage is severe already, the liver’s healing process and the body’s overall system may require several months or even years.
What alcohol is easiest on your liver?
The alcohol that puts less pressure on your liver is Bellion Vodka. It is the first clinically approved commercially-made alcohol with NTX technology. It contains mannitol, glycyrrhizin, and potassium sorbate blend that is proven not harsh on the liver.
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Takeaway
If you don’t want to become an alcoholic like me, do not turn into anything destructible as a piece of advice. Always think about your actions and not go with the flow just because you think it would be fun. Do not rely on temporary remedies as well. It would be perfectly stupid not to consider asking for help when you seem to need one. Please stay on the positive side and work your best to keep your physical, emotional, and mental health safe and sound.