Surprising Ways Alcohol Affects the Mind and Body
Dr. Gina Lynem-Walker
| 4 min read
Dr. Gina Lynem-Walker, MD, is a quality medical director for utilization management at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She is an internal medicine physician with experience in utilization management, care management and disease management, and is a volunteer faculty member at Wayne State University Medical School. She is married with two children, and enjoys gardening, reading, crafts, music, community service and travel.
The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health survey states nearly 173 million American adults age 18 and older reported drinking in the past month. Another 60 million adults in that age group engaged in binge drinking.
The survey revealed many individuals were unaware of the potential risks associated with excessive drinking. Many do not know about alcohol's emotional impact and the emotional impact of drinking.
The effects of long-term alcohol abuse impacts individuals physically and mentally. Regular alcohol consumption can lead to increased anxiety and depression and diminished cognitive function. Many people may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with stress or emotional pain, but alcohol's depressant nature just exacerbates those feelings of stress and emotional pain. This can leave individuals who abuse alcohol stuck in a vicious cycle.
Is alcohol a depressant?
Alcohol is classified as a central nervous system depressant, according to the Addiction Center. This means it slows down brain functioning and neural activity. Alcohol does this by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA.
People who enjoy alcohol consider consuming it a means of relaxation. They may say it helps them loosen up in social settings. But alcohol's sedating effects can lead to cognitive impairment, and can also make one anxious and jittery, especially when hungover.
Codependency and alcoholism
Codependency is a learned behavior that can be passed down through generations. Mental Health America (MHA) describes it is an emotional and behavioral condition that affects an individual’s ability to have a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship.
When someone is experiencing alcohol use disorder, the people closest to them may develop a codependent relationship. The codependent can be a romantic partner, parent, friend, sibling or co-worker. A codependent person is often characterized by having low self-worth and low self-esteem, which they seek from other people.
An example of a codependent relationship is a parent who allows their son, with alcohol use disorder, to live at home without paying rent and without facing consequences for erratic behavior. The parent in a codependent relationship would enable their son in this example by ramping up their effects to comfort them and take care of them codependently, even when their son continues to harm themselves and their relationships with others.
Other surprising effects of alcohol
- Diminished cognitive function: Alcohol's depressant nature means it slows down essential functions within the body — especially the brain. Alcohol can cause the brain’s hippocampus to shrink, leading to memory loss and impaired reasoning. It can also negatively affect the cerebellum, which is responsible for balance and vision.
- Compromised immune system: Research has found that alcohol can suppress and weaken the immune system. It can disrupt pathways limiting the body’s ability to fight diseases and inflammation. This makes a person susceptible to a host of chronic conditions and infections.
- Pancreatitis: Alcohol abuse can have a negative effect on the pancreas. Located behind the stomach, it produces enzymes necessary to break down carbs and fat. When those enzymes aren’t transported, the organ becomes swollen and sore. In severe cases, individuals can also develop cysts, organ damage or pancreatic cancer.
- High blood pressure: High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is linked to multiple genetic and lifestyle factors, including alcohol consumption. Just one drink causes a sharp rise in pressure that can take at least two hours to subside. The ongoing use of alcohol has a sustained effect, which increases the risk of heart disease.
- Increased cancer risk: Alcohol is a common risk factor for multiple forms of cancer including mouth, liver, breast, colorectal, esophageal and throat. Research has found that long-term alcohol use may impair the body’s ability to absorb nutrients while boosting harmful chemicals like tobacco smoke. It can also increase blood estrogen production and irritate cells, blocking tissue repair.
- Onset of cardiomyopathy: Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy is a disease that enlarges and weakens the heart muscle. The heart can become covered with thick, rigid scar tissue, hindering its ability to adequately pump blood. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular pulse and decreased appetite.
- Poor mental health: Individuals with mental or emotional issues may use alcohol as a short-term coping mechanism. While it can temporarily suppress negative feelings, it’s neither healthy nor viable. This leads to mood swings such as extreme happiness followed by deep sadness. It can also amplify anxiety and depression symptoms that are already present.
Long-term treatment
Anyone seeking help for alcohol dependency should start with their primary care physician. They will provide a professional diagnosis as well as a treatment plan based on individual need. Depending on the severity of symptoms, a physician may recommend a combination of therapy and medication.
Dr. Gina Lynem-Walker is an associate medical director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Photo credit: Getty Images
