Is Alcohol Considered A Drug? Know The Reasons
Alcohol is one of the most commonly consumed drugs, playing an important part in many civilizations and cultures around the world1, and having a significant impact on public health.
In the United States, more people over the age of 12 have used alcohol in the last year than any other drug or tobacco product, and alcohol use disorder is the most common type of substance use problem in the country.
However, many individuals neglect one of the world’s most popular and socially acceptable drugs: alcohol. Yes, alcohol is considered a drug. It has an effect on the brain, body, and behavior in the same way that any other chemical can alter.
In this blog post, we’ll look at why alcohol is considered a drug, how it affects the body, and why it’s one of the most harmful drugs in the world.
Is Alcohol Considered A Drug?
Alcohol is a drug. It is classed as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which indicates that drinking alcohol inhibits brain function, neural activity, and other critical functions in the body.
It is due to higher levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. When someone takes a considerable amount of alcohol, particularly more than the body is capable of processing, the result is depressive effects.
Stimulatory Effects Of Alcohol
Although alcohol is officially classed as a depressive, it has also been shown to have stimulating effects, depending on the amount and rate of consumption. In small doses, alcohol is more likely to provide stimulatory effects.
Many people drink alcohol because they want to experience these stimulating effects. Alcohol has a variety of stimulant effects, including:
- Talkativeness
- Overconfidence
- Benefits include improved mood and elevated blood pressure.
- Increased heart rate
- Euphoria
How Does Alcohol Affect The Brain?
Alcohol functions similarly to GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, one of the brain’s neurotransmitters. GABA inhibits the brain’s cell communication, reduces anxiety, and promotes sleep.
However, alcohol has additional effects on the brain; it affects a wide range of neurotransmitters and pleasure chemicals in a way that reinforces its own usage.
According to Neuropharmacology Professor George F. Koob, “alcohol tends to activate the whole reward system.” This is one reason consuming alcohol might feel pleasant, and those who grow hooked to the substance may lose interest in other things.
What Are Side Effects Of Alcohol?
Alcohol, like many other medications, has several adverse effects. Drinking too much alcohol might have short-term consequences, such as:
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- impaired sense of balance.
- Loss of Motor Control
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Slurred voice and reduced inhibitions
- Enhanced emotions
- Alcohol poisoning can lead to death.
Alcohol usage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), can cause cancer “of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.” Alcohol also weakens the immune system, potentially making one more prone to dangerous viruses and bacteria.
What Makes Alcohol Addictive?
There are several reasons why alcohol can be addicting. For starters, it can increase the release of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and rewards. This might result in a positive feedback loop in which a person continues to overdose on drink in order to enjoy the pleasant effects of alcohol.
Additionally, alcohol can cause physical dependence, which means that if a person attempts to stop drinking, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from psychological to physical, and may include, but are not limited to:
- Hand tremors or “the shakes”
- Nausea
- Vomiting and anxiety
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Delirium tremors
Alcohol On Your Central Nervous System
It produces broad CNS depression, acts as a positive allosteric GABAA modulator, and help to overcome anxiety, decreased social inhibition, drowsiness, and impairment of cognitive, memory, and sensory function.
It slows and inhibits cognition and reaction time, as well as cognitive skills, impairs judgment, interferes with motor function, resulting in motor incoordination, numbness, memory formation, and sensory impairment.
At extremely high concentrations, alcohol can cause anterograde amnesia, markedly decreased heart rate, pulmonary aspiration, positional alcohol nystagmus, respiratory depression, shock, coma, and death as a result of profound CNS function suppression, which can lead to dysautonomia.
Gastrointestinal Effects
Excessive acidity can harm the stomach lining, which our mucosal layer prevents the stomach from essentially digesting itself. Even when no food is present, alcohol stimulates the production of gastric juices, which is helpful in protein digestion.
Your Heart Health Is At Risk
Alcohol consumption causes irregular heartbeat and palpitations. It is related to the binge drinking that occurs around the holidays. It narrows down the arteries of the heart leading to abnormal beating of heart, high blood pressure and stroke etc.
Treatment of Alcohol Addiction
Because alcohol is such a widely used substance, determining when it has become a problem can be difficult. Inpatient alcohol rehab can have a life-changing impact on persons suffering with alcohol. There are several techniques to treating alcohol use disorder. This includes:
Detoxification
For persons with severe addiction, detox is frequently the initial step. Detox entails removing alcohol from the body while under medical care, as withdrawal can be harmful.
Therapy and Counseling
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and other types of counseling can assist individuals in identifying the underlying causes of their alcohol use and developing coping mechanisms to avoid relapse.
Certain drugs
Certain drugs including naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, can aid with cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Rehabilitation Programs
Inpatient and outpatient rehab programs offer regulated environments in which people can focus on rehabilitation. We, Inpatient Rehab Center are also offering customized alcohol addiction treatment programs. One can join it by simply contacting us!
Help From Inpatient Rehab Center
Inpatient Rehab Center is helping nationwide in order to treat alcoholism with different alcohol rehab programs. Alcohol is clearly a drug. It affects the central nervous system as depressant with strong effects on the mind and body. While its legal status and social acceptance can disguise this fact.
Alcohol is one of the most harmful substances on the market due to its propensity for addiction, health difficulties, and societal destruction.
If you or someone you love is battling with alcohol, there is hope. Alcohol addiction is treatable, and with the correct resources, you may reclaim control of your life. Contact us today for help!