Alcohol is used as an accompaniment to meals, as a celebratory drink, for relaxation and to "get high". It can be an enjoyable beverage, but when does the "high" of alcohol turn into a "low" in one's life?
- Have you ever woken up and not remembered what you did after a night of drinking?
- Do you ever get into altercations with people when drinking alcohol?
- Do you wake up hung over?
- Do you miss class or work after a night of drinking?
- Does your use of alcohol clash with your close relationships?
- Have you been in an accident while "high"?
These are only some of the signs that may signal that your "high" has become a "low in your life and that you are abusing alcohol. If alcohol use is having a negative impact in any area of your life, then you may want to consider the role alcohol has on your physical and emotional well-being.
Because the effects of drinking alcohol are often described as being "high", alcohol is often mistakenly assumed to be an "upper" or stimulant. Alcohol is actually a central nervous system depressant. It slows down bodily functions, including slowed brain activity, and can cause intoxication, unconsciousness and even death.
One may initially feel "high" or in good spirits because alcohol can relax and lower inhibitions. In excess, however, alcohol is not only a depressant on the physical level, it can also add to feelings of depression due to social, relationship, health and legal problems. A person may discover that he or she acted-out in an embarrassing or self-injurious manner while intoxicated and experience feelings of low self-worth and shame.
You might experience these physical effects with the use/abuse of alcohol:
- Slowed down breathing
- Dizziness
- Flushed skin
- Loss of sensation
- Lowered body temperature
- Nausea and vomiting
- Red Eyes
- Restlessness
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Temporary impotence
- Possible harm to the developing fetus if pregnant
You and/or loved ones who may be abusing alcohol are not alone. Alcohol is legal but is the most commonly abused drug. It is just as powerful and dangerous as many prescription medication and illegal drugs. Alcohol is often involved in cases of suicide, murders, and accidental deaths. It also plays a role in Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. Statistics report that alcohol abuse claims more than 100,000 lives each year.
Abuse leads to increased tolerance and eventually can lead to dependency (Alcoholism). Tolerance means that one needs more and more alcohol to obtain the same "high" so more and more alcohol is consumed.
Alcoholism is a disease caused by physical and psychological dependency on alcohol. Dependency or alcoholism is when one loses control and can't stop drinking in spite of harmful consequences. There may also be physical withdrawal symptoms. Alcoholism can lead to long-term physical, emotional and social problems. Excessive use of alcohol affects the drinker's family, friends and co-workers, as well as the drinker. It can tear families apart, destroy friendships, deplete one's finances and wreak havoc in the workplace.
Chronic, heavy use can damage nearly every organ and system in the body. It can cause:
- Brain damage
- Cancer
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Impaired kidney function
- Impaired immune system
- Malnutrition
- Sexual dysfunction
- Stroke
- Ulcers
The ultimate repercussion of alcohol abuse is death. Alcohol overdose is a very real problem. It causes more deaths in children and teenagers than any other drug. Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time can place so much shock and stress on the nervous system that the heart will stop and the area of the brain that regulates breathing will stop functioning.
If you or someone you love are out of control and you need someone to talk to, there are many resources that will provide help. You can contact a licensed therapist or counselor for support and for referrals.
