There is a common misconception that alcohol is not a drug. It is…well, alcohol. But yes, alcohol is a drug. It is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, meaning it slows down the brain’s activity and increases the production of an inhibitory neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This relaxes your mind and body but gives rise to other unwanted side effects, too.
In this article, we will look into why is alcohol considered a drug and other general information about alcohol.
Why Is Alcohol Classified As A Drug?
At its core, alcohol is classified as a drug, even if we often separate it from other drugs like nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, or heroin, for example. If you are wondering what type of drug is alcohol, then it is a CNS depressant, but it has many stimulant properties, too. In fact, it shares this quality with many other drugs like marijuana and LSD.
The reason why we do not consider alcohol as a drug in our minds is that it is so widely used and normalized. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are nearly 2.3 billion who consume alcohol all over the world as we speak. This is why we do not associate alcohol with other drugs, because of the cultural and legal status. In fact, when we refer to substance use, we largely refer to it as “drugs and alcohol,” leading to the mistaken perception that alcohol is somehow different from these other drugs. No.
Alcohol, even if normalized or glorified, can be just as harmful as other hard drugs, claiming many lives and leading to premature deaths around the world. Forbes recently reported that nearly 5% of deaths around the world can be traced back to the harmful use of alcohol. Hence, the phrase “alcohol and other drugs” makes more sense.
How Alcohol Affects The Brain And Body?
Alcohol affects the brain and body in a similar manner to other drugs by changing the brain structure and chemistry. It enhances the production of the neurotransmitter (a chemical in the brain) GABA, which then reduces the communication between brain cells. This action lowers anxiety and induces feelings of relaxation and drowsiness. On the other hand, alcohol activates the brain’s reward system. This is why you may feel good after drinking alcohol, and this is the reason why it is so difficult to stick to just one drink.
Alcohol changes the way the brain looks and functions over a period of time. These disruptions can affect mood, behavior, and even how your body functions. Some of the short-term effects of alcohol on the brain and body are:
- Impaired focus and judgment
- Impaired motor coordination
- Lowered inhibitions
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Alcohol poisoning (can even lead to death).
Some of the long-term effects of alcohol on the brain and body are:
- Mental health conditions
- Organ damage (brain, liver, pancreas, and heart)
- Hypertension
- Increased risk of certain cancers.
Alcohol Use Disorder And Dependence
While social or moderate drinking, which is classified as 2 drinks for males and 1 drink for females per day, is more or less safe, it is when drinking becomes heavy and chronic that alcohol use turns into a substance use disorder. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies heavy drinking as:
- 5 or more drinks within 2 hours/15 or more drinks per week for males.
- 4 or more drinks within 2 hours/8 or more drinks per week for females.
Alcohol is physically and psychologically addictive. It activates the brain’s reward system by enhancing dopamine and endorphins (known as feel-good chemicals) and produces pleasurable sensations and feelings that keep you going back for more. In fact, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) suggests that genes and environment also play an intricately connected role in how alcohol affects a person. Certain genes may trigger the release of more of these feel-good chemicals, while an environment where alcohol use is frequent and normalized can make one more susceptible to developing an alcohol use disorder. In fact, children of alcoholic parents are 4 times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder themselves.
Over time, alcohol use leads to both physical and psychological dependence. The brain’s reward system quickly becomes used to the presence or even an overload of alcohol, leading a person to believe they cannot function or survive without alcohol in their lives. This is why alcohol becomes a priority every day, as it helps them feel “normal” even when it is not.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
When the brain and body get used to the presence of alcohol in the system, abruptly reducing or quitting alcohol leads to some intensely unpleasant symptoms known as alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms make it very difficult to quit this drug on your own, which is why going cold turkey is not advisable. In fact, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can even turn life-threatening if not provided medical attention.
Alcohol withdrawal can be both physical and psychological, and looks something like this:
- Cravings
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Sleep disturbances
- Delirium tremens (characterized by confusion, psychosis, seizures, and other symptoms).
Quitting alcohol cold turkey or suddenly stopping its use is not advisable for the sheer intensity of these symptoms and their threat to life. However, this does not mean that you cannot quit alcohol. Alcohol use disorder can be effectively treated in both inpatient and outpatient settings with rehabilitation (rehab) programs.
Treating Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder can be effectively treated with a step-by-step approach involving:
Medically Supervised Detoxification: Detoxification, or detox, is when alcohol levels are gradually tapered off from your system to minimize and manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This is not mandatory in all cases except when prescribed.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): MAT uses a combination of psychotherapy and medication to treat alcohol use disorder. Medications commonly used are disulfiram and naltrexone, which reduce cravings and other symptoms while also preventing relapse.
Therapeutic Interventions: Therapeutic techniques involving motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and 12-step recovery programs are known to work best with alcohol use disorder. They target the underlying patterns leading to alcohol use and equip you with coping skills so that you can deal with triggers, temptations, and life stressors without resorting to alcohol use.
Peer Support: Enrolling in informal peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery serves as ongoing care for alcohol use disorder and, at the same time, provides a safe environment in which a person can benefit from shared experiences and learning while taking ownership of their sobriety.
Alcohol Is A Drug, But It Doesn’t Have To Control Your Life
Alcohol use is largely normalized in many regions around the world. In fact, its use dates back nearly 13,000 years. Now, it has become part and parcel of different cultures and the life and center of most parties, that we rarely associate it with illegal drugs like cocaine or heroin. But do not let this lull your senses into thinking it is any less dangerous. In fact, it is just as addictive as any drug you can think of, and social drinking can quickly spiral into alcohol use disorder, dependence, and even premature death.
However, on the other side of this, hope is always available. Quitting alcohol on your own can be challenging and dangerous, but you do not have to do this on your own. We see you, we hear you, and we are always here for you. If you or a loved one is struggling with an alcohol use disorder, please do not hesitate to reach out to Skyline Recovery to overcome your struggles with alcohol and begin the road to recovery.