![]() Treatment centers can offer patients a detoxification process that will allow them to deal with the initial stages of sobriety under medical supervision. With that said, sobriety is still achievable in a safe way. Because of this, the early stages of sobriety pose a risk for many people. The withdrawal period from alcohol can cause problems like seizures, delirium tremens, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, and can even cause death. ![]() Some might believe that quitting drinking can be easy and is the safe thing to do however, if the problem is serious enough, quitting cold turkey without medical supervision can lead to a number of health complications. Because of this, decreased dopamine function may contribute to withdrawal symptoms and alcohol relapse. Similarly, alcohol withdrawal produces decreases in dopamine functioning in people who are dependent on the substance. “Alcohol ingestion and even the anticipation that alcohol will be available produce dopamine release,” according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is commonly associated with happiness and pleasure levels, and there are studies that suggest dopamine plays a role in the incentive and motivation for alcohol use. Another reason why alcoholics have problems stopping or slowing down their alcohol use is due to the effect that dopamine has on the brain and body. “The positive reinforcing effects of alcohol generally are accepted as important motivating factors in alcohol-drinking behavior in the early stages of alcohol use and abuse,” one report said. In the case of alcohol, many will experience alcohol-induced happiness or a reduction of anxiety, which are positive reinforcements and will increase alcohol-seeking behavior. Reinforcement is the process where a behavior is either strengthened and rewarded (positive reinforcement) or weakened (negative reinforcement) based on previous experience. For example, motivation to drink through reinforcement is one reason that alcoholism can begin to develop. However, to learn more about alcoholism, it is necessary to learn how the brain chemistry changes. The development of alcohol dependence is a complex and nuanced process that can be difficult to understand. Long-term alcohol usage can cause changes in brain chemistry. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, especially during the 48 hours immediately following a stint of drinking. if a heavy drinker stops drinking, the brain may have to readjust which can lead to the unpleasant feelings associated with withdrawal. But, if the alcohol is suddenly removed, i.e. With excessive drinking, the brain becomes used to alcohol and will compensate for the alcohol’s slowing effects by increasing the activity of some neurotransmitters to try and restore itself to equilibrium in the presence of alcohol. However, alcohol can impair this ability and slow signal transmission in the brain, which contributes to the effects associated with alcohol intoxication. ![]() The brain communicates under normal circumstances with a balance of neurotransmitters that allow the body and brain to function unimpaired. Like tolerance, withdrawals are also a result of a change in the brain makeup. Similarly, the more a person drinks, the worse they may feel when not under the influence of alcohol, which can cause them to experience withdrawals. The more a person drinks, the more they will need to continue to drink to feel the desired effects. One obvious example of this comes in the form of tolerance to alcohol, people who drink heavy have to drink more and more in order to become intoxicated because when the brain is exposed to alcohol, it begins to become desensitized to the effects of the drug. Due to this, a heavy drinker will respond differently than someone who drinks occasionally. The brain adapts to the presence of alcohol, and other drugs, over time. However, one thing is clear: if you or a loved one has a problem with alcohol, or another substance, seeking out treatment should be a top priority. Things like mental health, environmental influences, and genetics can all contribute to a drinking problem. Overall, there are an array of factors that contribute to alcohol dependence, not only with brain chemistry but underlying factors as well. Excessive drinking and positive reinforcement associated with alcohol use can eventually lead to changes with dopamine release in the brain. Brain chemistry plays an important role in alcoholism. Along with these problems, there is also the factor of brain chemistry. These symptoms are major contributing factors as to why alcoholics can’t stop drinking. The problem leads to many symptoms including cravings, loss of control, physical dependence, and tolerance. Alcoholism, like other forms of substance abuse, is a disease.
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