How Does Alcohol “Work”?
When alcohol is consumed, it takes a journey into the body that begins with absorption by tiny blood vessels in our digestive system. This absorption propels the alcohol into the bloodstream, making it a stowaway on a voyage that eventually leads to the brain. Once there, it has a sedative effect, slowing down the operations of nerve cells and casting a tranquil lull over the brain’s activities.
While the alcohol is navigating the bloodstream, it also makes a pit stop at the liver. Here, our bodies perform a detoxifying magic trick of sorts, transforming the alcohol into a non-toxic substance through a process known as metabolization. Yet, our liver can only handle so much magic in a given timeframe. It has its limits, and when those are breached with excessive alcohol consumption, the result is a heightened BAC (Blood Alcohol Content), the metric that measures the amount of alcohol circulating in our bloodstream.
When the impact of alcohol crosses the line from social lubricant to a substance-causing addiction issues, it’s crucial to seek help. Liberty Addiction Recovery Centre stands ready to extend support. Boasting state-of-the-art facilities, our team specializes in treating a wide range of addiction problems, including those stemming from alcohol. We offer effective, individualized rehabilitation programs designed to help our clients regain control over their lives. To learn more about the health risks, read our article “Is alcohol a stimulant or depressant?“
Why Do People Drink Alcohol?
Many people begin drinking for one of the following three reasons: social pressure, self-medication, and to have a good time.
Social Pressure
Drinking is a social activity. Many people in our society go out on the weekend to drink together. Often, people have their first drink as a result of pressure from friends, family, and coworkers. It also is something that has become ‘normalized’ in the media. It would seem that everyone drinks, and to fit in, one must also consume alcohol.
Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism
Unfortunately, many people use alcohol to self-medicate their problems. People begin drinking because they feel lonely, depressed, bored, or stressed, and they begin using alcohol to temporarily escape from their lives. However, as people “drink their worries away,” they typically exasperate the problem, and they begin to feel guilty for drinking so much or to have lower self-esteem due to their alcoholism.
Using Alcohol “To Have a Good Time”
Due to social pressure and the way drinking is represented in the media, many people begin drinking in attempts to loosen up, have fun, and to enjoy themselves more. Alcohol does initially trigger the release of endorphins, but the more you drink, the more likely your natural reward system will become damaged and even “natural” highs will become less pleasurable.
Think you or a loved one might be addicted? We’re here to help, please contact us.
Alcohol Rehab Salt Lake City, Utah
Getting the help you, or your loved one requires is the most important thing you can do to begin the process of recovery from the reliance on alcohol. As a leading, caring, professional alcohol rehabilitation center located in Utah, Salt Lake City – Liberty Addiction and Recovery Centers are here to support you on your journey, weather you are a client or a caring friend or family member, we are with you all the way.
Get Help from Alcohol Addiction
When a person has abused alcohol for a prolonged period of time, they have likely established a physical and mental dependency to it. Because of this, the risk of seizures and other medical issues during alcohol withdrawal is quite high. This highlights the need to begin treatment with a detoxification process that is conducted and supervised by trained medical professionals.
If you are in serious need of help getting over a drinking problem or know somebody who is, then don’t hesitate to contact Liberty. We provide an all-in-one alcohol rehab experience that helps our patients through a comprehensive experience from detoxification, to inpatient treatment, to continuous aftercare programs. Give our caring team a call today to see what programs are available to you!
Call (801) 997-9183
