The brain is the control center of every human and the actions they take. Neurotransmitters in the brain depend on the different signals to function. Any disruption of the neurotransmitters affects how one feels and thinks.
Alcohol is a depressant that has a negative impact on neurotransmitters. Alcohol can cause users to feel confident for a while, but being a depressant will eventually lead to mental health conditions or issues. This is why it is essential to address alcohol addiction as soon as it manifests. Do this by seeking help from professionals like Taylor Recovery, who have the trained staff to help.
Alcohol Addiction Signs
Alcohol addiction is the most common and one of the rampant forms of substance addiction because the product is readily available. Anyone of legal age (usually 21 years in most states) can easily access alcohol. This has led to addiction since most of the users over-consume the alcohol while others are predisposed genetically, so it takes one attempt for them to be addicted. Some of the most common signs of addiction include:
- Frequently finding yourself in dangerous situations, such as drinking and driving
- Engaging in drinking has negatively impacted the ability to take care of family or other responsibilities
- Loss of interest in things that were once important
- Continued drinking despite issues it has caused in your life
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, such as elevated heart rate, shakiness, or inability to sleep
- Developing a tolerance to drinking and need to drink more to obtain the same buzz
- Inability to quit drinking despite the desire to quit
- Continuing to drink despite it negatively affecting your mood
Alcohol Use and Co-occurring Conditions
Co-occurring conditions occur on top of the addiction that victims struggle with. These conditions are common because alcohol and mental disorders affect the brain and disrupt normal functioning. Common co-occurring conditions with drinking include:
- Depression – drinking with depression can be confusing. It is not easy to tell whether the drinking is causing the sad feelings or if these mood swings are triggered by depression. Either way, the two worsen the depressive conditions.
- Anxiety: When people with anxiety drink, they tend to get a false sense of confidence which helps them socialize and interact with people they usually wouldn’t
- Suicidal thoughts and Self-harm: Drinking tends to exaggerate self-harm and suicidal thoughts, which may push addicts to act on these harmful thoughts.
Dual Diagnosis and Co-occurring Treatment
When an addict has another mental condition that affects their actions, such a diagnosis is known as a dual diagnosis. Both the mental issue and addiction must be addressed at the same time. Ignoring one of the conditions in favor of the other often leads to relapse and cyclic conditions.
Find a facility that appreciates the need for dual diagnosis and treatment. Effective treatment involves intensive therapies, focusing on emotional and physical/mental recovery. Sometimes medication-assisted treatment is used in combination with emotional and behavioral therapies. The root cause of the mental/ emotional issue causing the co-occurring illness has to be addressed.
Get all the support you need for your alcohol addiction and mental disorder support from Taylor Recovery. Call today for assistance.