0800 470 0382
Alcohol can have different effects on different people and at different stages of intoxication. In some cases, it might make people feel more energetic, outgoing and confident – especially in the early stages of drinking. It can also make you less responsive, affect your reactions and cause you to fall asleep or pass out, especially with heavier drinking.
It does seem strange that a single substance can have both stimulating and sedating or depressive effects, which seem to be direct opposites. It’s important to understand how alcohol affects the brain and body, especially for those seeking recovery, so does alcohol act as a stimulant and depressant together? Let’s take a look at the evidence…
What is a Stimulant?
There are many different kinds of stimulant – from caffeine and nicotine to cocaine and amphetamines – but the one thing they have in common is that they increase the activity of the central nervous system. There are different mechanisms for this but essentially they speed up the messages travelling between brain and body.
A number of stimulants, including cocaine and amphetamine, affect levels of dopamine – a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Others affect a neurotransmitter known as norepinephrine, which prepares the the brain and body for action and is involved in the ‘fight or flight’ response.
Stimulants can have a wide range of effects but will generally make the user feel more awake, alert, energised and confident. They can also have less pleasant effects such as causing anxiety, increased heart rate and blood pressure, nausea and insomnia.
What is a Depressant?
A depressant can be seen as the opposite of a stimulant in that it slows down the messages between the brain and body, suppressing activity in the central nervous system. Common depressants include opioids such as heroin or fentanyl and sedatives such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines – commonly known as ‘benzos’.
They can make the user feel more relaxed and lower inhibitions, which are common reasons for people to use – and often misuse these substances.
They can also affect concentration and coordination and slow down the ability to react to things. Other effects can be slurred speech, impaired vision, slowed heart rates and breathing. Users may fall asleep or pass out after using depressants, especially after large doses.
How Alcohol Acts as Both a Stimulant and a Depressant
While stimulants and depressants seem to be complete opposites, alcohol can have both stimulating and sedating effects in humans. The stimulating effects appear to stem from alcohol’s ability to increase the production of dopamine. This is what produces some of the effects that many people experience in the early stages of intoxication, such as feeling more talkative, confident, giggly or excited.
Some people experience a sense of euphoria in the early stages of intoxication, but depressant effects will also be present from the first drink. Studies have shown, for example, that alcohol-induced driving impairment can occur with any departure from a zero-blood alcohol concentration (BAC) – in other words, your reactions and abilities will be affected after a single small drink. At the same time, stimulant effects and lowered inhibitions can lead to an increased and false confidence in your own driving ability.
It is also the case that, while there are some stimulant effects, alcohol acts primarily as a depressant, especially at higher levels of consumption. A review of existing studies found that it works on a number of different pathways to cause “psychomotor depression, difficulties in information storage and logical reasoning and motor incoordination”.
Some of the depressive effects of alcohol can include:
- Impaired coordination and balance
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty thinking
- Issues with vision
- Sleepiness/passing out
Extreme doses (alcohol poisoning) may result in respiratory depression when your breathing slows, coma, or even death.
The Impact of Alcohol on Mental Health
The depressant effects of alcohol can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, causing changes in both the short and longer term. In the short term alcohol can make you feel more relaxed and confident but these effects can quickly wear off, being replaced by more negative feelings like anger or depression.
In the longer term, regular or heavy drinking can actually reduce the number of neurotransmitters in the brains, and certain levels are needed to ward off anxiety and depression. This can make you want to drink more to relieve negative feelings, leading to a vicious circle of alcohol misuse.
Changing the brain chemistry through drinking can increase the risk of depression, panic disorder and impulsive behaviour. Heavy or regular drinking can also impact other areas of your life, such as your physical health, work, finances and relationships. All these situational factors can also have a knock-on effect on mental health.
Recognizing the Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
An alcohol use disorder (AUD) is ‘problematic’ alcohol use that causes harm and can encompass a number of conditions from problem drinking (alcohol abuse) to alcohol dependence or addiction.
Some of the signs of AUD or alcohol addiction include:
- Craving alcohol
- Regularly drinking too much/having no ‘off switch’ when you drink
- Continuing to drink despite negative consequences
- Mood swings and aggression
- Anxiety and depression
- Secrecy or defensiveness over drinking
- Feeling anxious about getting the next drink
- Drinking at inappropriate times such as before driving or in charge of children
- Large parts of your life and social circle revolving around drinking
- Avoiding places and situations where you can’t drink
Seeking Help and Treatment Options
If you think you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol, it is always best to seek professional help as soon as possible. Alcohol addiction is extremely difficult to deal with alone and the withdrawal symptoms from alcohol dependency can be potentially dangerous.
At Rehab Clinics Group we can help you to find the right treatment programme to help you detox and address the psychological aspects and root causes of any substance abuse and addiction issues.
Get in touch today for free, confidential advice and to find out how we can help.
