How Alcohol Affects Your Nervous System

As Annie Grace writes in This Naked Mind, alcohol eventually takes more than it gives. She explains, "Alcohol erases a bit of you every time you drink it. It can even erase entire nights when you binge. Alcohol doesn't relieve stress; it erases your senses and thinking ability. Ultimately, alcohol erases your self."

The negative effects become particularly noticeable in our nervous system. Alcohol causes loss of balance, slurred speech, saying things we don't mean, and forgetting things we want to remember. We might lose entire chunks of time and risk permanent damage to our brain and central nervous system if we're not careful.

Immediate Effects on Your Brain and Body

How does alcohol affect your nervous system in the short term? Here's what happens:

• Dopamine Surge: Alcohol floods your brain with dopamine, hijacking your reward system and making you return to something that's not actually good for survival.
• Memory and Impulse Control: Alcohol disrupts your prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, making it harder to form memories and control impulses.
• Headaches: Caused by dehydration and blood vessel widening, often called "cocktail headaches."
• Mood Swings: Alcohol interferes with emotional processing, causing rapid shifts from euphoria to anger or sadness.
• Anxiety and Depression: The initial relief quickly fades, leading to next-day "hangxiety" as brain chemistry rebounds.

Long-Term Effects on Your Nervous System

Given alcohol's powerful immediate effects, long-term damage is unfortunately common. Here are the major concerns:

1. Alcoholic Neuropathy

This nerve damage results from alcohol's toxic effects and related malnutrition. Symptoms include:

• Pain, tingling, or numbness in legs
• Muscle weakness affecting daily tasks
• Erectile dysfunction
• Digestive problems like bloating and constipation
• Urination difficulties

Early treatment with alcohol avoidance and B vitamin supplementation can help recovery.

2. Central Pontine Myelinolysis (CPM)

Severe dehydration from alcohol can cause low sodium levels. Rapid correction of this imbalance can damage brain areas controlling balance and motor function, leading to:

• Speech difficulties
• Swallowing problems
• Coordination issues
• Potential paralysis

3. Hepatic Encephalopathy

When your overworked liver can't process toxins like ammonia, they reach your brain, causing:

• Confusion
• Personality changes
• Poor judgment and impulsivity

This condition can progress to coma if untreated.

4. Alcohol-Related Brain Damage

This includes Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, caused mainly by vitamin B1 deficiency:

• Wernicke's stage: Confusion, coordination problems, vision issues
• Korsakoff's stage: Severe memory loss and confabulation (making up events)

Early intervention with alcohol cessation and vitamin replacement offers hope for recovery.

5. Depression and Anxiety

Long-term alcohol use alters neurotransmitter balance, making depression and anxiety more persistent as your brain struggles to rebalance dopamine, GABA, and glutamate levels.

Protecting Your Brain Health

Preventing neurological damage involves addressing alcohol consumption directly:

• Monitor Your Intake: Track your drinking habits and make a plan to cut back or quit
• Nourish Your Body: Eat whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, and B vitamin-rich foods like fish, beans, and leafy greens
• Consult Your Doctor: Seek medical advice if you notice signs of neurological damage

Remember, Quitemate is here to support you every step of the way! Our community includes many people who've been in your shoes and are now thriving. Begin your journey toward your healthiest, happiest self today!