The answer to this question depends on the individual. Some people drink alcohol for its calming effects, while others may use it to provide a boost of energy.
Regardless of how you are using alcohol, there are many negative consequences associated with drinking too much.
It’s important to learn more about what type of substance you’re putting into your body before making any decisions!
What Is It That Makes Alcohol a Depressant?
Because it slows down the activity of the brain and nervous system, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant.
It accomplishes this by enhancing the impact of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter in the brain.
Reduced brain activity causes people to feel relaxed, which is why many individuals drink to handle anxiety or tension.
According to WebMD, alcohol has some of the same negative side effects as other depressants.
Drinking causes slurred speech, altered perceptions, diminished decision-making abilities, and impaired coordination, among other things.
Alcohol also impairs a person’s cognitive function by clouding their thinking and impairing memory formation and sound judgments.
An excessive amount of alcohol can have a detrimental impact on a person’s central nervous system, causing respiratory failure, alcohol poisoning, coma, or even death.
Although alcohol is primarily thought to impact the brain’s Gamma-aminobutyric acid, it has an effect on a number of other neurotransmitters as well.
Glutamate and dopamine are also affected by heavy drinking. GABA, dopamine, and glutamate are involved in memory, brain activity, pleasure, reward, decision-making, and other functions.
People who abuse alcohol over a period of time shift these chemicals out of whack, necessitating more frequent drinking and reliance on the substance to function normally.
Stimulants vs. Depressants: What’s the Difference?
Stimulants and depressants have opposite effects on the central nervous system (CNS).
Stimulants raise brain activity, resulting in higher blood pressure, heart rate, and energy. High doses of stimulants can cause sleeplessness, tremors, and impulsive behavior.
The CNS is slowed by sedatives, which decrease blood pressure and heart rate. Users of depressants may feel calm or drowsy.
Although stimulants and depressants have opposite effects, they can produce dangerous and deadly interactions if combined.
ADHD medicines such as Adderall and Ritalin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine are all examples of stimulant drugs.
Opioids, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers are all examples of depressant drugs. Opioids such as heroin, morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone; Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan; Barbiturates like Seconal and Amytal are some of the examples.
Stimulants and depressants are sometimes found in the same substance. Nicotine, for example, is considered a stimulant despite producing feelings of calmness. Similarly, alcohol is a depressant that has some stimulant-like properties.
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What Are the Effects of Stimulants on Alcohol?
Alcohol, like other depressants, is a sedative and stimulant at the same time. However, because it is classified as a depressant, alcohol is not considered to be a stimulant.
Alcohol has stimulant-like side effects at low doses. These include: Increased energy, increased heart rate, quicker breathing, aggressiveness or irritability, and enhanced self-esteem.
At lower doses, many people experience a stimulant response from alcohol. Men are more likely to have these negative effects, but women are more likely to have the sedative consequences.
Another way that alcohol and stimulants are comparable is that they can harm sleep quality.
Even though alcohol may make people feel weary and drowsy, drinking before bed reduces the amount of restorative sleep obtainable, disrupted circadian rhythms, frequent bathroom visits, and breathing problems.
Furthermore, individuals who have an alcohol use disorder are more likely to suffer from insomnia.
Is Alcohol a Depression Trigger?
In terms of mental health, the link between alcohol and depression is intricate. Just because a drug is referred to as a depressant doesn’t imply it causes depression.
Being labeled a depressant simply indicates that the substance has depressive effects on the central nervous system.
Even yet, alcoholism and depression are linked. Depression raises the risk of drug and alcohol abuse because some individuals will use drugs or booze to cope with their sadness.
This is one explanation why so many individuals who have alcoholism also suffer from a depressive disorder or other co-occurring issues.
There’s also evidence that heavy drinking can damage the brain, reduce the synthesis of important neurotransmitters, and trigger depression.
Whether alcoholism or sadness occurs first, it is critical to provide these people with dual-diagnosis treatment that treats both problems at the same time.
In this case, the depressant effects of alcohol can be so extreme that you can slip into a coma or even die.
For everyone, the effects of alcohol can be different.
It’s worth noting that everyone reacts to alcohol differently, with some people getting drowsy while others become giggly and talkative.
You might feel giddy and attentive after one beer, whereas your buddy may be irritable and unintelligible on the same amount of alcohol.
Age, Sex, Weight, and Body Chemistry are all factors that influence how someone’s body responds to alcohol.
On the topic of body chemistry, it’s worth noting that researchers have proposed a hypothesis. They believe that those who are more susceptible to stimulant-induced dependence are also more likely to become alcoholics.
Alcoholism
Some people may drink casually, while others might become addicted after drinking just one.
Do you worry that you or someone you care about may have an alcohol problem? These are red flags to look out for: Blackouts, Drinking alone, Irritability, Mood swings, and Hangover symptoms when not drinking.
If you’ve seen any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it’s time to seek treatment so you can get clean.
Today, you can get help for alcohol abuse.
If you or a loved one are battling alcohol addiction, it’s vital to understand that you are not alone and that there are various alcoholism treatment alternatives available.
Visit our directory to find a treatment center in your city, state, or town. If money isn’t an issue, you can even find private drug and alcohol treatment centers near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does inpatient alcohol treatment cost?
The cost for inpatient care for alcohol abuse can vary base on location, privatized treatment, and insurance coverage.
However, the average cost of rehab is anywhere from zero dollars to upwards of $30K per month.
This all depends on what type of treatment center you’re looking for (luxury, private), how long your stay will be, and what kind of insurance plan you have access to.
What’s a typical day like in an outpatient alcohol treatment program?
Typically, addicts go to group therapy sessions at set times during the weekdays where each member can share their experiences with sobriety as well as discuss any concerns they may still have regarding their alcohol addiction.
Because most addiction treatment centers require addicts to complete community service, the addict will also be required to attend volunteer opportunities in their local area during normal hours of operation (i.e., food banks).
What is an aftercare program?
Aftercare programs are set up for patients who have completed an inpatient or outpatient rehab center and need continued support with overcoming their drug abuse issues once they return home.
An aftercare plan usually consists of finding sober living housing, attending group therapy sessions, exercising regularly, practicing meditation/mindfulness techniques like yoga, maintaining good sleep hygiene habits, continuing medication-assisted treatment if necessary, etc.
These activities maintain sobriety at its highest levels possible by helping people stay on track even after they’ve completed rehab.
What is the average length of stay in an alcohol treatment center?
The time it takes to complete a recovery program varies depending on how severe your addiction was, what caused you to seek help for your alcoholism, and if there are any underlying mental health conditions that need attending before you can begin with recovery.
Additionally, certain insurance companies require patients to remain within their network’s provider list or risk losing coverage altogether, which may also affect the amount of days people spend at rehabilitation facilities.
However, most residential programs typically last anywhere from 30 – 90 days whereas outpatient treatments usually only take place once per week for several months/years, so these options vary across individuals as well.
Lastly many addicts don’t even receive professional care for their addiction and attend self-help groups like AA or NA instead, which offer free solutions for overcoming alcoholism.
Does insurance cover addiction treatment?
Depending on your specific policy, you may have coverage for substance abuse treatment.
Some insurance companies will only cover a portion of the costs related to addiction recovery, while others carry more comprehensive plans that can cover most or all expenses associated with rehab/treatment.
How does someone know they need help for their alcoholism?
You can tell you have a drinking problem when the negative consequences of your alcohol abuse surpass the positive benefits.
If you answer “yes” to any one or more of these questions, it may be time to seek help for alcoholism:
Have you ever felt guilty about how much/often you drink?
Do people give you unsolicited feedback that they’re concerned about your drinking habits? Is alcohol negatively affecting your health (e.g., liver damage)?
Are there certain situations where you automatically turn to booze, e.g., before work, after work, on weekends?) If so…you might want to consider seeking professional care through an outpatient rehab center or inpatient treatment facility.
What is the difference between a private and public treatment program?
Private treatment programs are more costly than public ones because they provide a higher level of care and luxuries to their patients.
Public addiction recovery hospitals tend to be low-cost due to the fact that these facilities receive government funding, offer sliding scale payment options for poor addicts who can’t afford rehab.
Public inpatient alcohol rehabilitation centers require addicts to go through detoxification before receiving ongoing therapy, while private clinics often do not require new patients to complete withdrawal management first.
What does it mean when someone relapses?
Relapse means falling back into old habits; no matter how strong your resolve may seem at the time.
If you’ve been sober for years and then begin using drugs/alcohol again, this is considered a relapse even if it’s only one day of substance abuse after being clean for an extended period of time.
Addicts experience setbacks at different points throughout their recovery journey which doesn’t mean they’re incapable of living alcohol-free or that they’ll never find sobriety – just that they need to pick themselves back up and try again because the disease hasn’t won yet!
Can you overdose on Alcohol?
Yes…and no.
Yes…because drinking too much in a short amount of time can result in alcohol poisoning i.e., organ failure resulting from lack of oxygen due to extreme intoxication but chances are low when compared to other drugs.
No…because alcohol doesn’t cause overdose like opioids, heroin and benzodiazepines do due its low toxicity levels (the greater the level of poison in a person’s system, the more likely they are to experience an adverse reaction e.g., heart failure).
What is Alcohol Withdrawal? (Symptoms & Treatment)
This condition can occur when someone who has been drinking heavily for several months/years suddenly stops consuming alcoholic beverages without completing detox first, which may lead them to suffer from seizures or delirium tremens (DTs) if not treated appropriately with medication and therapy.
There’s also another form called “abstinence syndrome” which occurs during early recovery but isn’t as serious since it’s the body’s natural response to sudden changes in alcohol intake.
What are some common causes of alcoholism?
Poverty – lower income levels have been linked to higher rates of substance abuse among those who struggle financially since many addicts use drugs/alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Stress – those who have been diagnosed with PTSD or depression are more likely to abuse alcohol compared to those without these mental health conditions which is due in part because many sufferers self-medicate as a way of finding relief from their psychological symptoms (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares).
Loneliness – social isolation may lead some people to drink excessively since they’re unable to meet new friends and acquaintances through sober means e.g., going out dancing vs drinking at home by themselves all the time.
Where can I find an alcohol treatment center near me?
The best place to start is by using the DrugAbuse.com treatment center directory which provides information about free/low-cost rehab, private facilities, and other relevant topics related to substance abuse.
What are some good legal drugs that act as depressants? (ex: Ambien)
“Depressant” medications aren’t necessarily “bad” but they can be if you’re an addict or alcoholic since these substances may lead users into drinking more often than not because of their sedative effects e.g., drowsiness, lowered inhibitions…etc.
Some examples include benzodiazepines like Xanax and Ativan; barbiturates used for treating anxiety such as phenobarbital; opioids including painkillers like codeine and morphine.
What are some common signs of alcoholism?
– Drinking alone or in secret (HIDING alcohol) to avoid getting caught by family members, friends, co-workers etc.
– Denying there’s a problem even when confronted with evidence e.g., empty bottles stashed away at home/work; withdrawal symptoms such as tremors and nausea if they don’t drink for an extended period of time).
– Losing interest in favorite hobbies because all the person wants to do is drink instead.