How Alcohol Addiction Affects the Human Brain
For decades now, biologists and medical researchers have been trying to identify the ways that alcohol can affect the human brain. One of the main subjects of investigation relates to alcohol addiction; an ailment that can often affect individuals of all ages, including unborn children whose mothers have been exposed to alcohol via consumption – an event that can lead to alcohol dependency in infants.
Although investigations are still ongoing, what can be understood is that consistent exposure to alcohol can lead to a reduction in amino acids – often considered the building blocks of living organisms. As these cells deplete, the unique composition of ethyl alcohol has been understood to be able to act as a barrier between regular processes within the body, hence the need for a total alcohol detox as part of any rehabilitation.
As a result, many alcohol addicts find themselves able to function as they usually would, even though their organic cells are slowly being destroyed by the presence of alcohol on a consistent basis. This event is what often leads to dependency; with those that find themselves addicted functioning as usual until their cells are only able to function when they receive a fresh influx of alcohol.
Although the average age for addiction varies from country to country, it’s widely accepted that those that face the most prominent issues are aged between 21 and 35. After extensive research in the late 1980s it was discovered that, unlike previously believed, alcohol dependency and addiction can in fact be categorised into two separate ailments.
The former relates to an individual’s need to consume alcohol in order to function. This state often arises after consistent alcohol exposure and those facing these events will often require assistance via professional alcohol rehabilitation. The latter can affect those that find themselves consuming alcohol frequently and in a way that can provide them with a form of ecstasy – where the feeling of being under the influence can become more appealing than it is beneficial.
Within this document, we intend to cover a variety of data pertaining to the way in which alcohol can affect the human brain. Rigorous studies have been undertaken on those that have never been exposed to alcohol consistently, those that partake in consumption infrequently and those that would be medically diagnosed as dependent. It’s important to note that in order to proceed with investigations, an alcohol dependence test will need to be issued – and from the data received, conclusions will be drawn.
The Effect of Alcohol on the Human Brain
When exposed to alcohol, there are several regions within the brain that will be affected by the resultant interactions between organic compounds within the hemispheres of the brain, and that within ethyl alcohol. One of the first issues that arise within those that are facing addiction is a lack of emotion pertaining to others around them. This is why statistically those suffering with addictions are considered on par with drug addicts when evaluating emotional states of mind.
In simple terms, the affect that alcohol can have on the human brain can take shape after just a few sessions of exposure. As the toxic compounds begin to overwhelm the right supermarginal gyrus within the central hemisphere of the brain (a lobule responsible for producing chemicals to aid in empathy), the results can be that the individual may develop a lack of interest in those around them.
This emotional response to alcohol consumption is defined as one of the leading causes of disruption to an addicts’ social environment – and as they continue their exposure to the substance, they will rapidly become less and less inclined to consider those around them. This is often defined as DSM 5 substance abuse.
DSM 5 substance use disorder criteria typically dictates that any individual that has been exposed to alcohol for a period of more than a month will usually possess the signs of right supermarginal gyrus delusion. This means that the empathetic portion of the brain will slowly lose its ability to produce natural chemicals to aid in selflessness, understanding and empathy in general.
Other Parts of the Brain that Suffer from Alcohol Abuse
The alcohol dependence scale dictates that anyone finding themselves unable to forgo their consumption for a period of 72 hours or more may be facing a dependency. The parts of the brain responsible for the side effects commonly experienced by recovering addicts hoping to detox are the anterior cingulate cortex and the anterior insula.
Both of these regions are responsible for producing chemicals associated with pain. They are also two of the brain’s regions that can be affected by alcohol consumption in as little as 48 hours. As the average metabolism will attempt to siphon the toxic properties of alcohol in order to expel them, it’s not uncommon for minute alcohol cells to be deposited around the body where they can be addressed, when nutrients are in place to aid in expulsion.
Both the anterior cingulate cortex and the anterior insula are predominantly surrounded by fatty cells and as a result, they can often be used to store unwanted toxins. When just one session of alcohol exposure has taken place, the toxins will typically be expelled harmlessly, but when consistent exposure occurs, it’s not uncommon for excess toxins to soak into the surrounding tissue mass, where it can begin to mutate the cells within these regions of the brain.
Over time, the organic compounds can be replaced by alcohol and this is one of the main reasons why many addicts find themselves facing extensive withdrawal symptoms in the form of pain whilst trying to detox. Many alcohol rehab clinics rely on naltrexone for alcoholism; a drug that can trigger a catalytic response within the aforementioned regions of the brain. This stimulation can often help to reduce the effect of alcohol withdrawal – but exposure to the drug is only ever recommended when prescribed by a medical expert and under the guidance of a trained specialist.
Although alcohol can affect the entirety of the brain mainly due to its tendency to enter the blood stream and then travel throughout the entirety of an individual’s body – the three main regions that can suffer are:
- The anterior cingulate cortex; a region of the brain that produces pain
- The anterior insula; a secondary lobule that can trigger painful responses
- The right supermarginal gyrus; a small region within the brain that can produce chemicals associated with logical thought, rational behaviour and humane empathy
When these parts of the brain are exposed to the influential effects of alcohol, it’s not uncommon for behaviour to change, for rational thought to suffer and for general attitudes to shift.
In Conclusion
When the anterior cingulate cortex is affected as a result of alcohol abuse, consequences can become apparent within as little as two weeks; with extreme cases demonstrating issues within just 72 hours or less. As the cells are overwhelmed by the presence of alcohol, the organic compounds can begin to replace regular cell behaviour, which can often result in painful withdrawal symptoms caused by the toxins present demanding further exposure from the sufferer.
The same can occur when the anterior insula is affected; although when more alcohol is consumed, this region of the brain can actually result in pain as the natural chemicals struggle to be produced. Those that can will often mutate, causing pain in and around the brain that can take on the form of uncontrollable headaches and migraines.
Finally, when the right supermarginal gyrus is exposed to alcohol on a consistent basis, the toxic effects of the substance can often overwhelm the natural chemicals produced by the brain, resulting in selfishness, ignorance and other character traits that can often cause an addict to alienate themselves socially, whilst failing to recognise the issue of their dependency and taking the necessary action to rectify the matter without extensive assistance from an alcohol rehab and addiction music therapy.
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