Effects of Psychological Dependency

Do you know someone who suffers from alcohol dependency? About half of adults in the United States consume alcohol on a regular basis. With 6.6 percent of the adult population belonging to the criteria for alcohol use disorder, it’s fair to be concerned about patients who drink excessively. Thankfully, there are treatment facilities that offer addiction help for Veterans.   

Professionals, or even those who are simply concerned about a person’s well-being, will try to warn their loved ones about the numerous detrimental consequences of drinking—weight gain, sleep disruption, kidney damage, liver disease, and so on.  

What Are the Effects of Alcohol Psychological Dependency?

Short-Term Effects

Most of us are aware that alcohol has a short-term effect on the brain, but only a limited number are aware of the long-term repercussions of alcohol abuse on the brain. While anybody can be affected by alcohol abuse, there are some factors that can influence the severity of the effects on the brain, such as the:

• General health status of the individual
• Family history of alcoholism
• Genetic background, gender, education level, or age
• Age at which an individual starts drinking and how long they continue
• Frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption

Considering the factors mentioned above, the psychological consequences of alcoholism may get serious. Some of the symptoms of excessive alcohol consumption may appear only after a short period of time. The following are the six most common short-term psychological repercussions of alcohol abuse: 

• Affected reflexes, coordination, and vision
• Problems with memory
• Reduced inhibitions
• Diminished stress
• Relaxation
• Difficulty focusing

Long-Term Effects

Developing a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol is an inevitability for most people who struggle with addiction. Simply put, the more of the addictive substance one uses, the more one begins to rely on that substance to function. It will then lead to long-term adverse alcohol effects, such as: 

• Interrupted brain development
• Impaired memory capacity and learning
• Tolerance development
• Increased substance use
• Increased anxiety and depression

Alcohol addiction has been shown to have such a substantial impact on a person’s body and mind that it alters the way their brain functions. It can result in irreparable brain damage, which can lead to memory loss, mental health issues, and physical degeneration. 

Physical Effects

Apart from psychological effects, patients who suffer from alcoholism also experience physical effects. When not timely addressed, it will lead to several health problems in the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Most patients have either one, two, or more of the following health concerns: 

• Increased susceptibility to diseases
• Swelling and inflammation of blood vessels
• Chronic or acute kidney disease
• Alcoholic cirrhosis, fibrosis, or hepatitis
• Irregular heartbeat

Fortunately, physical and mental dependence on alcohol can be reversed. Veterans may require professional therapy in order to remain safe during their recovery treatment. The rehabilitation plan includes an alcohol detoxification program that is both safe and effective.  

Following that, treatment alternatives such as customized counseling, nutrition education, recreational therapy, and others can be used to work on overall physical and emotional healing. 

Learn More About Addiction Help for Veterans

At Heroes’ Mile, we know that recovery is more than just self-restraint—we aim to restore the overall health of the person to enable lasting and viable recovery. So, to learn more about our treatment plans, please contact us today! 

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Original Author: Cody Cox