Is there a quick fix for alcohol addiction (that really works)?

Pros and cons of some popular quick fixes

There are plenty of people out there promising a quick way to stop drinking but it can be very difficult to know how effective these quick fixes can be. Often, they promise wonderful results but many may only treat a symptom of alcohol addiction and others simply do not work. With that in mind, lets look at the pros and cons of some of the most popular quick fixes for alcohol addiction, and a place at the end for you to ask us questions about getting help for alcohol addiction.
1.  Hypnotherapy
Using hypnotism to treat addiction is not a new idea. It has been billed as a great way to stop smoking, cut down on drinking and a cure for drug addiction. Some people even claim hypnotherapy has worked for them. Is hypnotherapy for addiction safe? Generally, yes. However, my opinion is that the problem with hypnotherapy comes down to the underlying causes of addiction.
Hypnotherapy treats a symptom without helping the person work through the underlying cause of their addiction – which can be physical, psychological, and spiritual in nature. Think of alcohol addiction like a broken bone. Hypnotherapy might be able to mask the pain but it is not fixing the cause of the pain. While hypnotherapy might be able to help some people with the symptoms of alcohol addiction, it takes a licensed counselor, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional to help treat the underlying condition.
2.  Alcohol vaccines
There are a number of products on the market that actually block the effects of alcohol. The latest is a pellet that can be injected into the body. It lasts for three months and blocks the buzz alcohol provides.
Many people are actually using this as a way to help them cut down on drinking already. With scientific and government backing, these vaccines can seem like the perfect cure all for alcohol abuse and addiction. The only problem is they, too, are treating a symptom not the underlying disease. The vaccine may remove the reward of a buzz provided by drinking but it does not help the addict understand and deal with the reason they started abusing alcohol in the first place.
That is not to say there is not a place in treatment for these vaccines. They provide a great tool to help people with alcohol abuse problems. The issue is that they are not a cure, nor are they even a full treatment.
3.  Alternative medicines
Alternative medicines are some of the worst offenders when it comes to downright lies about alcohol addiction treatment. Some less reputable addiction treatment providers may claim that natural supplements, vitamins or healing crystals can help treat alcohol addiction.
This is simply not true.
While vitamins can and other supplements can have some health benefits, they do nothing to treat the physical or psychological issues behind alcohol addiction. Worse still, many people waste time and money trying these remedies which may delay them getting effective treatment.
4.  Meditation and yoga
These two therapies are often considered complementary therapies by addiction treatment centers. Meditation focuses the mind on the present, which helps with mindfulness and can relieve stress. Yoga on can strengthen the body and focus your energy on something productive while eliminating distractions like cravings.
That being said, neither of these are primary treatment for alcohol addiction. That means, while yoga and meditation can be a part of alcohol addiction treatment, they are in no way a complete treatment. Things like talk therapies, counseling psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other treatments need to be present before someone with an alcohol addiction can realistically expect to start recovery.
5.  Home detox kits
Often, websites have detox plans, or offer diets for alcohol detox. Some of these are meant for people who are not physically dependent, others may say they will help you beat alcohol addiction. The fact of the matter is, if you are addicted to alcohol, these home detox kits will do nothing for you. They usually recommend a healthy diet drinking lots of water and other healthy activities. That is all great for your overall health but it does nothing to help you break an addiction.

Seek out clinical help for alcohol addiction

None of these treatments provide medical assistance which means none of them are complete. If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, it is important to speak to your GP and find a treatment that includes medical oversight, addresses the underlying causes of the addiction and provides support for you through your recovery. Without these criteria, beating alcohol addiction becomes far more difficult.
All of these treatments are also missing one very important component… medical assistance. Going cold turkey as an alcoholic can be very dangerous. It can lead to seizures, vomiting and in the worst cases, even death.

 

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How Alcohol Addiction Affects The Brain

Alcohol addiction is overwhelming. Alcohol effects nearly every organ in the body causing irreversible damage. The brain is no exception. Immediate effects of alcohol go directly to the brain causing blurred vision, difficulties with walking, slurred speech, slowed reaction time and impaired memory. These effects can happen within minutes, having only one or two drinks. These effects will go away as the body cleanses itself of alcohol, the effects of heavy regular drinking are those that could be permanent.

The Intoxicating Effects of Alcohol

Physical signs of heavy drinking often include the stumbling walk, slurred words, memory lapses, trouble with their balance, poor judgment and are uncoordinated. The way alcohol affects the brain and central nervous system is the cause to these physical signs.

Alcohol Affects Brain Chemistry

Alcohol affects brain chemistry by changing the levels of neurotransmitters. Signals throughout the body that control thought processes, behavior and emotion are transmitted by neurotransmitters, they act as chemical messengers for the brain. The neurotransmitter GABA is directed effected when an individual is intoxicated by alcohol. These effects of the GABA are what cause the sluggish behaviors seen in the physical signs of intoxication of alcohol. The neurotransmitter glutamate is too affected, causing physiological slowdown. The chemical dopamine in the brain’s reward center when drinking alcohol, this creates the feeling of pleasure when intoxicated.

Tolerance, Dependency and Withdrawal Syndrome

Regular use of alcohol often leads to a tolerance where the user will require more alcohol to acheive the desired effects. Excessive use of alcohol eventually will lead to a physical and psychological dependency. The users thoughts and actions become controlled by alcohol. Their time is spent planning out when they will have their next drink or drinking. When dependent on alcohol most developing withdrawal syndrome. What stopping the use of alcohol they will experience withdrawal symptoms that vary in severity but often return the user to alcohol for comfort. To successfully overcome an dependency to alcohol most will require an Alcohol Treatment Center that offers medical detox, therapy, counseling and chemical dependency education.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!

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How Do People Become Addicted to Alcohol | De-Addiction Capsule

People use alcohol because they enjoy the way it makes them feel, report doctors at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The brain is wired to seek out enjoyable feelings and to repeat the process that made those reactions possible. Alcoholism is a disease that affects the brain, creating a craving for a repetition of the good sensations. Doctors at the AAFP say that the brain chemistry actually changes to seek out those pleasurable activities, causing the consciousness to lose control over the behavior that will provide them. Alcoholism, or an addiction to alcohol, results when the need for those repeated pleasurable sensations becomes stronger than the need for security. Consequences such as loss of relationships, jobs and freedom cannot overcome the brain’s desires to seek more pleasure.
Physical Changes
Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that, over time, the balance of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate become altered. GABA inhibits impulsive behavior and glutamate causes the nervous system to become excited. Dopamine levels are also increased by alcohol, which cause the pleasure-seeking behaviors. Genetic markers also can contribute to alcoholism, as the disease tends to run in families. Those with a genetic tendency toward alcoholism are more likely to become addicted once they start drinking. Drinking also can block certain stress hormones, which add to the likelihood of addiction for those who use alcohol to combat stress.
Psychological Boost
Many people use alcohol to be socially accepted into various groups. Mayo Clinic doctors report that people with low self-esteem often use alcohol to boost their confidence and fit in with their peers, which can lead to extended use and addiction. People with other mental disorders in addition to social phobias often turn to alcohol to self-medicate. Patients with depression, bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder commonly become addicted to alcohol after using the drug to decrease the intensity of their symptoms.
Excess
Addiction to alcohol is a process that evolves over time, often years. Drinking to excess for an extended period of time increases the likelihood of developing a dependence on the drug. Mayo Clinic doctors report that for men, 15 drinks or more a week can lead to a physical dependence, while women drinking 12 or more drinks per week are at risk for becoming alcoholics. Time frames vary between individuals and can be affected by heredity, the age when the drinking first began, environmental factors, such as drinking in the home, and other emotional and mental disorders.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!

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Alternative Medicines for Alcoholism & Drug Addiction

Addiction to alcohol or other drugs (from barbiturates to cocaine) is a physical and emotional dependence on that substance and the effects it produces. It involves a loss of control, often causing devastating effects on all aspects of the individual’s life, including work, family, and health.
Many alternative therapists assert that conventional medicine’s treatment program for addiction fails to support the body adequately as it withdraws from the once-steady presence of alcohol or other drugs. The following therapies attempt to offer that support. They are often used in combination with counseling and other support programs that address any underlying psychological causes of addiction.
Nutritional Therapy for Alcoholism & Drug Addition
People with alcohol or drug addiction are usually malnourished and have suffered some damage to the body, such as liver damage. Nutritional therapy attempts to correct any nutritional shortcomings and to help the body eliminate toxins. Several supplements can aid in the detoxification process, including zinc and vitamin C. People with alcohol addiction are often deficient in these nutrients anyway, as alcoholism can severely affect a person’s judgment about diet and can limit the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients.
Alcohol and drug use may increase the body’s load of free radicals, compounds that can damage tissues. Antioxidants are, therefore, recommended for their ability to neutralize free radicals. Nutrients that are antioxidants include:

• beta-carotene
• vitamins C and E
• zinc
• selenium

The majority of people with alcohol addiction have a state of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Unanswered is which came first: Did the addiction and resulting malnutrition bring on hypoglycemia, or did a previous state of hypoglycemia set up a type of craving for alcohol? Either way, to remedy low blood sugar:

• Significantly increase the intake of unrefined complex carbohydrates, including whole grains and fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Avoid all sugars, from corn syrup to fruit juices.
• Reduce the intake of refined carbohydrates, such as white bread.

As these dietary changes are made, many practitioners of nutritional therapy recommend adding more protein and supplementing with the B complex, chromium, and vitamin C.
Herbal Medicine for Alcoholism & Drug Addiction
Herbs can ease some alcohol or drug withdrawal symptoms (from anxiety to insomnia) and help detoxify the body. They also may be used to reduce the addicted person’s craving for alcohol and other drugs. Especially helpful are herbs that influence the nervous system, gently encouraging a relaxed and sedated state. These include catnip, chamomile, peppermint, and skullcap, which can be used together as a tea. To replace mild depression with a state of calmness, St. John’s wort is often prescribed.
For detoxification, several herbs contribute to cleansing the blood, including burdock root and echinacea (purple coneflower). Others such as milk thistle, which contains silymarin, support the liver — the main toxin-filtering organ — and may help prevent drug-induced damage to this organ.
Kudzu root, often prescribed as a bitter tea, has long been used by traditional Chinese doctors to reduce the appetite for alcohol. Recent animal research suggests that alcohol-free kudzu root extract can cut the consumption of alcohol in half.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!

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Alcohol Addiction: Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer contain a substance called ethanol that acts as a depressant. At low doses, alcohol ingestion makes the user feel relaxed. As dosage increases, effects include sleepiness, dizziness, loss of motor coordination and impaired cognition. Overdose leads to coma, respiratory depression and death. The activity of the nervous system is regulated by excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. Ethanol exerts its effects by increasing the activity of an inhibitory neurotransmitter known as gamma amino butyric acid, or GABA.
Prolonged alcohol use causes the body to compensate for the increase in GABA’s inhibitory activity by making cells hyper-sensitive to an excitatory neurotransmitter called glutamate. As a result, users who stop drinking abruptly experience withdrawal symptoms. The severity of symptoms is correlated to the length of time that a person has been alcohol dependent and the amount of alcohol that a person is accustomed to having in her system. Some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be severe and even life-threatening, so seek professional medical help if you have this problem.
Anxiety and Insomnia
People with an alcohol dependance often feel restless or irritable when they attempt to quit drinking. Additionally, it may be difficult to fall asleep or remain asleep.
Sweating, Shaking and Racing Heart
Alcoholics who stop using alcohol experience an increase in autonomic nervous system activity. This results in excessive sweating–even in the absence of physical activity–muscle tremors at rest and a fast heartbeat.
Nausea and Vomiting
People who are addicted to alcohol often lose their appetite when they stop drinking. Nausea and vomiting can make consuming anything other than alcohol unappealing. However, fluid intake is important to prevent dehydration; this is especially true for someone who is vomiting.
Hallucinations
Prolonged use of alcohol causes the nervous system to adapt by altering the way it communicates with the body, including the way it receives and responds to sensory information from the visual and auditory circuits. Alcohol withdrawal can result in visual or auditory hallucinations and confusion. This is sometimes called “delirium tremens” or DTs.
Seizures/Convulsions
Prolonged heavy drinking can cause the nervous system to change so dramatically that it can’t control itself in alcohol’s absence. This results in an overabundance of excitatory signaling between neurons, a condition that manifests itself as a seizure. Muscle convulsions are the result of hyper excitability of the motor component of the nervous system.
Depression
Recovering from an addiction is emotionally demanding and the physical withdrawal symptoms can make recovery even more difficult, leading to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous aim to help in the recovery process by bringing users together to share insight and experiences.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!

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How Do People Become Addicted to Alcohol | De-Addiction Capsule

People use alcohol because they enjoy the way it makes them feel, report doctors at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The brain is wired to seek out enjoyable feelings and to repeat the process that made those reactions possible. Alcoholism is a disease that affects the brain, creating a craving for a repetition of the good sensations. Doctors at the AAFP say that the brain chemistry actually changes to seek out those pleasurable activities, causing the consciousness to lose control over the behavior that will provide them. Alcoholism, or an addiction to alcohol, results when the need for those repeated pleasurable sensations becomes stronger than the need for security. Consequences such as loss of relationships, jobs and freedom cannot overcome the brain’s desires to seek more pleasure.
Physical Changes
Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that, over time, the balance of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate become altered. GABA inhibits impulsive behavior and glutamate causes the nervous system to become excited. Dopamine levels are also increased by alcohol, which cause the pleasure-seeking behaviors. Genetic markers also can contribute to alcoholism, as the disease tends to run in families. Those with a genetic tendency toward alcoholism are more likely to become addicted once they start drinking. Drinking also can block certain stress hormones, which add to the likelihood of addiction for those who use alcohol to combat stress.
Psychological Boost
Many people use alcohol to be socially accepted into various groups. Mayo Clinic doctors report that people with low self-esteem often use alcohol to boost their confidence and fit in with their peers, which can lead to extended use and addiction. People with other mental disorders in addition to social phobias often turn to alcohol to self-medicate. Patients with depression, bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder commonly become addicted to alcohol after using the drug to decrease the intensity of their symptoms.
Excess
Addiction to alcohol is a process that evolves over time, often years. Drinking to excess for an extended period of time increases the likelihood of developing a dependence on the drug. Mayo Clinic doctors report that for men, 15 drinks or more a week can lead to a physical dependence, while women drinking 12 or more drinks per week are at risk for becoming alcoholics. Time frames vary between individuals and can be affected by heredity, the age when the drinking first began, environmental factors, such as drinking in the home, and other emotional and mental disorders.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!

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How to Quit Alcohol

Quitting is a Challenge

There is no denying the fact that quitting alcohol can be one of the biggest challenges of your life. While this may sound like a lot of work on the surface, you have to consider the long-term benefits. Once you kick alcohol out of your life, you will feel better both mentally and physically. Along with this, your personal relationships and career will begin to flourish.

Admit that you have a Problem

One of the biggest challenges of quitting alcohol is admitting that you have a problem. Some days it is easy to believe that everything is fine. However, deep down inside you know that this is not the case. Once you admit to yourself that you have a problem, you will be open to making changes in the near future. You will be open to listening to others and doing whatever it takes to get your life back on track.

Talk to your Doctor

Are you feeling alone? Are you wondering what to do next? Do you need some professional advice? There is nobody better to speak with than your primary care physician.
Your doctor is not going to be able to solve all your problems on the spot. However, he or she can point you in the right direction. Are you interested in checking into a rehab facility? Your doctor can suggest one in your area. Do you have questions concerning the impact of quitting on your own? Once again, your doctor can tell you what to expect and how to deal with any symptoms you may have.

Enlist the Help of Loved Ones

Most people who attempt to quit alcohol feel lonely. They don’t know what they are doing, where their life is headed, or what is going to happen next. Does this sound familiar?
Rather than go at it alone, you should let your family and close friends know what you are doing. You may be surprised at how much help you receive from the outside. When you get the assistance of loved ones, your road to recovery will be much smoother.

Change your Attitude

Even after you admit that you have a problem, you need to change your attitude regarding your situation. Don’t get mad at people when they try to help. Don’t put yourself down because you have gone through a rough patch. Instead, get in the right frame of mind by realizing that you are taking the right steps on the road to recovery.
Is it easy to have a good attitude when you are dealing with such a difficult situation? Of course not. That being said, when you approach the situation the right way you are going to ease the stress on yourself and make it much easier to reach your goals.

Don’t be Tempted

When trying to quit alcohol, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is putting yourself in a bad position. In other words, you don’t want to be around any situation that could tempt you. Additionally, you should avoid contact with anybody who has been drinking or has the tendency to talk about it.
Do you have alcohol in your home? If so, wash it down the drain right away. This will help you stay clean without any temptation. Are there people in your house who like to have a drink from time to time? If you bring them onboard and let them know what you are dealing with, they will likely be willing to remove the alcohol completely for your sake.

Get New Friends

I want to quit alcohol but I don’t want to lose my entire life. I still want to go out and have fun. These are common complaints. Contrary to popular belief, there are ways to have fun without involving alcohol.
If your friends do nothing but head to the bar and drink, you need to leave them behind. Let them know that you are going through a rough time and that you don’t want to involve yourself with anybody who drinks. If you are open, honest, and sincere, you should not face any resistance. And if you do, these people were not your friends in the first place.

Check into Rehab

Sometimes, quitting alcohol on your own is not possible. You are in too deep to figure things out without professional assistance and medical guidance. There are both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs that offer all the assistance you could need. By comparing multiple treatment programs and facilities, you can settle on the one that is best for your addiction and lifestyle.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!

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Treatment for Alcoholism

The goal when treating alcoholism is abstinence. Those receiving treatment with good health, social support, and motivation, are likely to successfully recovery from this destructive disease. Studies show that 50% to 60% of those who complete treatment from alcoholism are able to stay sober, most for their life time. Those who tend to relapse often have poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders. To find success in your recovery it is important to keep a strong support system, stay motivated, and practice abstinence maintenance. When you stop drinking you will find yourself happier, healthy and with improved social function.
Accepting the Problem
Before beginning treatment you must accept that you have a problem and stop drinking. You must understand alcoholism is a treatable disease, and you must be motivated to get well. Your treatment can then begin, helping you to regain control of your life and once and for all stop this destructive disease.
Three Stages to Treatment
Treatment for alcoholism has three stages; detoxification, rehabilitation and maintenance of sobriety. Each stage will have its bumps but with support and motivation you can achieve your goal of sobriety.
Detoxification
Detoxification is the initial stage of treatment from alcoholism. It will begin immediately after you stop drinking alcohol, and could be looked at as a medical emergency depending on the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations, delirium tremors (DT), and in some cases may result in death. The detoxification process allows you to withdrawal from these drugs in a controlled and medically supportive environment.
Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation process will involve numerous counseling and therapy sessions, as well as medications, to help you work through the mental and emotional aspects of your addiction. This may take place in an inpatient or outpatient program.
Maintenance of Sobriety
To maintain your sobriety you must be motivated. Self help groups will help you to work on maintaining your sobriety in a healthy way, they are a key in success in recovery. With the right mindset, motivation, treatment and support you can successfully overcome alcoholism.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!

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Alcohol Addiction – the Signs That You Need to Know

 Alcohol is a highly prevalent part of our society, with many of us enjoying it sensibly and in moderation. A glass of wine with dinner or a few quiet drinks on a Friday night may be sustainable but drinking habits can become problematic. As such a normalised part of our culture it can be difficult to know when our drinking has crossed the line and become a dangerous addiction. Despite its perceived harmlessness, alcohol ranks second only to tobacco as the most preventable cause of health-related harm or death. This makes recognising the signs and symptoms of alcoholism and alcohol abuse essential to helping your loved ones overcome their addiction.

Alcoholism or Alcohol Abuse

Though the two terms are often used interchangeably, it is important to understand the difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Both occur due to a wide range of factors – from genetics to social circles to mental state – and both types of addiction have an increased risk with family history. Both are also self-destructive habits that impact the victim, their families and friends. Alcohol abuse, however, precedes alcoholism and describes an individual who still has some control over their drinking habit. Alcohol abuse is a major risk factor for becoming an alcoholic and enduring a stressful event can quickly trigger complete dependence.

Early Intervention is Essential – Common Signs of Alcohol Abuse

With many alcohol abusers later becoming dependant on the substance, it is important to understand when you or your loved one’s social drinking has escalated to dangerous levels. Here are some common symptoms. 

• Using alcohol dangerously i.e. drink driving or drinking while on medication
• Continued drinking despite its negative affects both legally and in relationships
• Neglecting responsibilities, at work or school, at home and socially
• Using alcohol as a way to relieve stress 

Our Most Severe Drinking Problem – What Are the Signs?

Alcoholism describes a crippling physical dependence on the substance and is ranked as the most severe alcohol problem. If you or someone you know is compelled to and relies on drinking alcohol they are an alcoholic. Here are some signs.

1. Increased Tolerance – some people pride themselves on being able to “hold their drinks” more than others but if you or someone you know has increased their drinking to feel the same effects that they used to, this is an early sign of alcoholism
2. An Inability to Quit – wanting to quit is an essential step but if someone is unable to beat your alcohol habit, they exhibit classic signs of alcoholism
3. Withdrawal Symptoms – have you ever got a headache because you’ve missed your morning coffee? This is a sign of dependence and it’s the same with alcoholism. If you exhibit this sign or others when you go without alcohol, this is a major sign. Other symptoms include anxiety, depression and nausea

Denial is a classic sign of people who struggle with alcohol, but it’s important to see through this façade. Natural alcohol addiction treatment can help your loved ones on the road to recovery.

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What are the Effects of Alcohol on Teens?

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The Effects of Alcohol on the Nervous System

More than two drinks per day causes toxicity to most organs, including the central nervous system, according to “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine.” Some people who drink alcohol may experience stimulation initially. However, with continued drinking, alcohol depresses the central nervous system. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and affects thoughts, emotions and judgment.

Mental Status

Excessive alcohol consumption causes disordered thinking, dementia and short-term memory loss. According to “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine,” approximately 35 percent of drinkers may have a blackout, or temporarily forget what occurred while drinking. Alcoholics can experience memory impairment for months after a binge.

Peripheral Neuropathy

According to “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine,” 5 to 15 percent of alcoholics experience peripheral neuropathy most pronounced in the hands and feet. Manifestations include numbness, tingling and a cold sensation in the limbs.

Gait

According to “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine,” approximately 1 percent of alcoholics develop degeneration of the back part of the brain, or cerebellum, which produces a slow, halting, irregular, wide-based gait.

Encephalopathy

According to “Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine,” alcohol can cause Wernicke’s encephalopathy due to thiamine deficiency. This condition has the following cardinal features involving the eyes: paralysis of eye muscles; impairment of the pupillary reflexes, or involuntary blinking of an eye after touching the cornea; and nystagmus, or involuntary oscillations of one or both eyes. It also includes disorientaion, delusions and abnormal behavior called Korsakoff’s psychosis.

Increased Size of Brain Ventricles

According to “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine,” alcoholism can produce changes in the brain seen on imaging studies such as computerized axial tomography, or CAT, scans. These changes, seen in more than half of alcoholics, include increase in the size of the brain ventricles, of which there are four that communicate with the spinal cord and that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid and sulci, or narrow fissures. These changes are often reversible after one year of abstinence from alcohol.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!

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How Alcohol Addiction Affects The Brain

Alcohol addiction is overwhelming. Alcohol effects nearly every organ in the body causing irreversible damage. The brain is no exception. Immediate effects of alcohol go directly to the brain causing blurred vision, difficulties with walking, slurred speech, slowed reaction time and impaired memory. These effects can happen within minutes, having only one or two drinks. These effects will go away as the body cleanses itself of alcohol, the effects of heavy regular drinking are those that could be permanent.

The Intoxicating Effects of Alcohol

Physical signs of heavy drinking often include the stumbling walk, slurred words, memory lapses, trouble with their balance, poor judgment and are uncoordinated. The way alcohol affects the brain and central nervous system is the cause to these physical signs.

Alcohol Affects Brain Chemistry

Alcohol affects brain chemistry by changing the levels of neurotransmitters. Signals throughout the body that control thought processes, behavior and emotion are transmitted by neurotransmitters, they act as chemical messengers for the brain. The neurotransmitter GABA is directed effected when an individual is intoxicated by alcohol. These effects of the GABA are what cause the sluggish behaviors seen in the physical signs of intoxication of alcohol. The neurotransmitter glutamate is too affected, causing physiological slowdown. The chemical dopamine in the brain’s reward center when drinking alcohol, this creates the feeling of pleasure when intoxicated.

Tolerance, Dependency and Withdrawal Syndrome

Regular use of alcohol often leads to a tolerance where the user will require more alcohol to acheive the desired effects. Excessive use of alcohol eventually will lead to a physical and psychological dependency. The users thoughts and actions become controlled by alcohol. Their time is spent planning out when they will have their next drink or drinking. When dependent on alcohol most developing withdrawal syndrome. What stopping the use of alcohol they will experience withdrawal symptoms that vary in severity but often return the user to alcohol for comfort. To successfully overcome an dependency to alcohol most will require an Alcohol Treatment Center that offers medical detox, therapy, counseling and chemical dependency education.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!

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Can Alcohol Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

About Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which a man is unable to achieve an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. In some cases the man is able to achieve an erection but unable to maintain it long enough to complete the sex act. Most men experience erectile difficulties at some point in their lives, but this is different from ED. According to the Mayo Clinic, those with ED will fail to achieve an erection at least 25 percent of the time. ED has several causes and alcohol consumption can be one of them.

Alcohol: Effects on the Body

Alcohol is a nervous system depressant and can actually block nerve impulses and messages between the brain and body. This is why drunk people often experience slurred speech, emotional outbursts and difficulty walking. But even small amounts of alcohol will affect the nervous system, causing slower reflexes and fuzzy thinking. Moderate drinking—one to two drinks a day, for men—of any type of alcohol, may actually improve cardiovascular health, according to the Mayo Clinic. Excessive alcohol use and alcohol abuse, can cause scarring of the liver, high blood pressure and an increased risk of some cancers.

Alcohol: Effects on Sexual Performance

Where alcohol may succeed as an aphrodisiac in getting people “in the mood” it may fail in execution. During an erection, the penis fills with blood then the vessels close, preventing backflow, so that the penis remains erect. In the short term, overconsumption of alcohol causes the blood vessels in the penis to expand, allowing for more blood flow, but prevents those vessels from closing. As a result, the penis may become erect but not remain so, as there is nothing to prevent backflow.
In the long term, overconsumption of alcohol actually damages the blood vessels and contributes to hypertension and even heart disease, both contributing factors to erectile dysfunction. In healthy men, moderate alcohol consumption should not cause erectile dysfunction.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!

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