Alcohol consumption is common worldwide especially since it is a key ingredient for most celebrations. On the other hand, some individuals consume alcohol with the aim of dealing with difficult and emotionally disturbing situations. Such individuals are usually heavy drinkers and because of their ignorance, they put their health and well-being at risk. Heavy drinking is linked with health problems that affect the balance and mental capability of a person. As a result, some people may opt to kill themselves. This article will elaborate how alcohol affects mental health with the aim of enlightening individuals about the adverse effects of heavy drinking.
How alcohol affects mental health is a widely discussed topic. This is because heavy drinking may result to alcohol dependency which gravely affects individuals especially those suffering from mental illnesses like schizophrenia. Drinking alcohol to deal with mental distress is harmful since alcohol alters the brain chemistry. This affects the mental health of the person especially when done over a longtime. The psychology of the brain changes thus reducing its ability deal with and withstand anxiety naturally. As a result, individuals increase their alcohol consumption. The same applies to depression. The serotonin chemical that curbs depression reduces because of heavy drinking.
As means for reducing increased rate of alcohol related suicides, the Mental Health Foundation has released information explaining how alcohol affects mental health. However, surveys reveal that a bigger percentage of male suicides result from heavy drinking, as well as adverse alcohol withdrawal symptoms. According to conducted research, heavy drinking increases the impulsivity of individuals tolerating extreme behaviors such as killing themselves. Their level of inhibition decreases because of the severe mental illnesses that they develop. Heavy alcohol drinkers that abruptly stop drinking regularly experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as delusion and hallucinations. These psychotic conditions drive individuals insane and are linked to suicidal thoughts.
In addition, heavy alcohol consumption hinders with the brain and slows down its functioning leading to loss of memory or total blank. As a result individuals may not recall past events and/or combine new ones. Young individuals aged between 12 and 19 years are more affected since their brains are still developing. Also, mental impairment leads to development of stress and depression which gravely affect individuals’ growth and socialism pattern. Therefore, with the knowledge of how alcohol affects mental health it is time to choose how you can fight heavy alcohol consumption.
Sources:
Mental Health Foundation- Alcohol
drinkaware.co.uk- Alcohol and mental health
Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs- Alcohol and Mental Health
helpguide.org- Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse