Alcohol Facts

Question 1

Is alcohol a stimulant?

Accepted Answer

While alcohol can have a stimulating short-term effect, it’s categorized as a depressant (not a stimulate) because it slows down brain functioning and neural activity. Alcohol can depress the central nervous system to the point of causing slurred speech, disturbed perceptions and an inability to react quickly.

Why is alcohol not a stimulant?

Most people drink for the stimulant effect, to “loosen up” and reduce social inhibitions. But, when a person drinks more than the body can handle, the depressant effects kick in. An overdose slows body functions to the point of coma, respiratory failure and death.

Stimulates Speed Up Your System Depressants Bring Down Your System

Ongoing research theorizes that alcoholics experience either greater stimulant effect or less depressant effects compared to peers.

Is alcohol causing my depression?

The classification “depressant” doesn’t mean alcohol causes depression. It means a drug depresses (slows down) the central nervous system.

That said, depression and addiction are closely linked. Symptoms of depression are likely to develop during the course of alcoholism or may have contributed to the addiction in the first place. In fact, alcoholics are 3.7 times more likely to experience a major depressive disorder.

Negative Feelings - Drinking to Stop Negative Feelings - Creates or Worsens Problems - Depression - back to Negative Feelings

What are other depressants?

Depressants are “downers” that lower your level of arousal, even putting you to sleep. According to the DEA, other drugs in this category include:

Benzodiazepines (Benzos) – Brand names: Valium®, Xanax®, Restoril®, Ativan® or Klonopin®
Barbiturates
Rohyponol (Ruffies)
GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid)/li>

What is a stimulant?

Opposite to depressants, stimulates speed up the body’s processes. This category includes meth, cocaine and amphetamines like Adderall.

Question 2

How do I find the best alcohol rehab near me?

Accepted Answer

If you’re anywhere in Tennessee, Kentucky or Florida or willing to fly to get the best care in the country, I stand behind the effectiveness of alcoholism treatment here at JourneyPure.

That said, people usually come in after:

From there, you have to compare your options.

What if there are no good options for alcohol rehab near me?

Staying sober is more important than staying local. Driving 3 or more hours to a facility isn’t that big of a deal considering you’re staying for several weeks. You may have driven farther for just a few days of vacation. Every day people come from all across the state to our main campuses. (Just be sure you call first because we often have waitlists). Focus on finding the highest quality option, not the closest.

If there are really no options around, consider flying to get the help you need. (Just like you might fly to see a specialist with other diseases). Florida and California are known for having tons of addiction treatment options. A sunny location helps you escape the chaos of your addiction and fully focus on yourself. While you may not have wanted to go far from home, that could be exactly what you need to really stop drinking.

How do I know which alcohol rehab center is best?

If you’ve never gone to rehab before, you probably don’t know what separates the great rehabs from questionable ones. Here are some things to look for:

Treatment – Check that the provider has a “dual-diagnosis” license and is authorized to prescribe medications like anti-cravings. That means you’ll be able to tackle underlying mental health issues (like anxiety, depression and trauma) and rebalance your brain. Without properly addressing co-occurring issues, treatment is unlikely to be successful.
Staff – You should be able to see the treatment team and their credentials on the website. Look for education, including masters-level, and actual experience. Look for a therapist-to-client ratio of at least 1:8.
Accreditation – Accreditation is not required. It’s a much higher set of standards that good providers choose to meet. CARF is the highest accreditation in this industry, earned by only 20% of treatment providers. The CARF seal is a good sign, then confirm the accreditation.
Insurance – Living in a nice place with access to 24/7 medical and clinical care for 30 days isn’t always an option without insurance. Plus, being in-network means health insurancers are continually monitoring the quality and results.
Reviews – A reputable provider will have plenty of positive reviews on multiple websites. Instead of perfection, look for a consistent history of positive feedback. Reviews should be easy to find and above a 4-star.
Overall presence – The best facilities go above-and-beyond the standards in ways that are hard to categorize — from having research departments and partnerships with universities to offering support like this Ask Our Doctors website.

Are there alcohol-only rehabs?

Being an alcoholic myself, I know it’s easy to feel different (“better”) than a drug addict. When we drink, it’s not illegal. We don’t have to go to any extremes to get our drug. But, alcohol is a drug. All of us in addiction need to fix the same processes in our brains.

Therapies and medications depend on what each person needs, but there’s very little difference in treatment based on our drug of choice. And, don’t be fooled, there are high functioning meth, pill and heroin addicts too. (Our Cheif Medical Officer, Dr. Loyd used to be one of them).

For all of those reasons, it’s the same license to treat addiction to drugs or alcohol. Don’t let that get in your way.

How do I find an alcohol rehab if I don’t have insurance?

State-funded, nonprofit facilities offer low or no-cost treatment to low-income residents. The problem is access. Over five million Americans don’t receive treatment every year because of lax government-funded resources.

Your best bet is to use FindTreatment.org. Search your zip code, then filter for Free or no-cost care under payment options. If nothing comes up, try filtering for Payment assistance available or Sliding fee scale.

The process can be frustrating. Facilities may have waitlists or require you to go in-person on a first-come-first-serve basis, but don’t give up. You can do this.

NOTE: If you make less than $15,586 per year as an individual, you may be able to apply for Medicaid.

Question 3

What are the early signs of liver damage?

Accepted Answer

Sadly, there often aren’t any noticeable symptoms of alcoholic liver damage until serious (sometimes irreversible) damage has occurred.

You may notice:

You become drunk quicker (lower tolerance)
You suffer more severe hangovers
Your stomach sticks out more than usual
You have pain in the right upper abdomen

Healthy Smooth Liver, Damaged Discolored Textured Liver

Alcoholics generally progress through three distinct liver diseases as drinking continues (outlined below).

What is Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

In 20% of heavy drinkers, fat builds up in the liver and causes swelling that impairs function.

Symptoms: None usually (just an enlarged liver).

Outcome: Reversible, if drinking stops.
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease graphic

What is Alcoholic Hepatitis (Liver Fibrosis)?

As heavy drinking continues, the liver becomes inflamed and scarred. Blood flow is disrupted, which slows the organ’s essential functions.

Symptoms: Potentially none at first, then:

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Fever
Pain or tenderness in the right upper abdomen

Outcome: In severe cases, there’s a 50% mortality rate. If drinking continues, 40% will develop into cirrhosis.
Alcoholic Hepatitis graphic

What is Alcoholic Cirrhosis?

Over time, scar tissue permanetly overtakes normal liver tissue. Blood flow is blocked, preventing the organ from working properly. Those with cirrhosis have been drinking heavily for 17 years on average.

Symptoms: Many people are still unaware at this stage.

Early symptoms:

Feeling tired or weak
Poor appetite
Losing weight without trying
Nausea and vomiting
Mild pain or discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen

Distinct symptoms:

Red palms
Shortening of muscles in the fingers
White nails or thickening and widening of the fingers and nails

Late-stage symptoms:

Bruising and bleeding easily
Confusion, difficulty thinking, memory loss, personality changes, or sleep disorders
Swelling in your lower legs, ankles or feet
Bloating from the buildup of fluid in your abdomen
Severe itchy skin
Darkening of the color of your urine
Jaundice
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Liver failure

Outcome: While cirrhosis of the liver is a serious illness leading to many deaths, the 5–year survival rate for people with early stage cirrhosis who stop drinking is 90%.
Alcoholic Cirrhosis graphic

How do you know if your liver is failing when there are no early symptoms?

Long before you notice any symptoms, liver cells start dying at a higher rate than usual, which can be detected on a blood test. Liver enzymes (SGPT, SGOT and GGTP, maybe LDH or Alkaline Phosphatase) will be slightly elevated. The higher the levels, the worse the condition of the liver.

A doctor may also be able to feel an enlarged liver during a physical exam.

(If you’re living in alcohol addiction, you already know you’re doing damage to your liver and you should stop drinking).

Why do alcoholics get yellow skin?

When red blood cells break down, they create bilirubin. The liver processes bilirubin before it is excreted in our feces (giving it a brown color). If the liver isn’t working properly, bilirubin builds up. Bilirubin has a yellow-orange pigment. When the levels are high enough, this pigment starts to become visible in the skin or eyes.

Can the liver repair itself after years of drinking?

Yes! Remember:

The best treatment is early detection.
Stopping your drinking will always improve your outcome.
Addiction treatment centers (like JourneyPure) can help you actually stop drinking.

Question 4

What is wet brain?

Accepted Answer

Wet brain is a form of brain damage that results from repeat and heavy drinking. Also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, wet brain stems from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Alcohol hinders the absorption, activation and storage of thiamine. The brain needs thiamine to function.

Wet brain has a sudden onset and does not happen gradually. Lesions form on the brain causing obvious mental confusion and physical coordination issues. The parts of the brain responsible for memory are permanently damaged. The result is alcoholism-induced dementia.

Normal brain scan, middle stage brain scan, late stage brain scan

What are the symptoms of wet brain?

The initial symptoms are the most serious and last a few days or weeks, though all symptoms don’t always occur.

Confusion
Loss of muscle coordination, including the inability to walk
Trouble seeing, including double-vision and involuntary eye movements
In extreme cases, loss of mental activity that leads to a coma or death

After these symptoms, around 80-90% of people later experience the following permanent symptoms:

Short-term memory loss (inability to develop new memories)
Long-term memory loss
Hallucinations (visual and auditory)

People who have late-stage Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome resemble dementia patients. The most obvious symptoms are forgetfulness and trouble with coordination, which leads to difficulty walking and moving independently. Individuals with advanced Korsakoff symptoms do not usually go to alcohol treatment centers, but instead require long-term care facilities, like nursing homes. In many cases, their symptoms make further alcohol treatment almost impossible.

Is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome the same thing as wet brain?

Wet brain is a somewhat antiquated term for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Wernicke and Korsakoff are two distinct phases of the same illness. Wernicke encephalopathy is characterized by brain bleeding that causes early-stage neurological symptoms, like confusion and loss of muscle coordination. Wernicke encephalopathy can be treated with thiamine supplements, but time is of the essence.

Korsakoff syndrome is the resulting psychosis that comes after untreated Wernicke encephalopathy. Symptoms include memory loss, trouble concentrating, and sometimes even personality changes. At this stage, brain damage may be permanent.

What causes wet brain?

Typically, wet brain is caused by a thiamine deficiency resulting from alcoholism. In rare cases, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can be caused by a lack of thiamine in a person’s diet, due to eating disorders or malnutrition. However, in over two decades of practice I’ve never seen someone with wet brain symptoms that were not directly caused by alcoholism.

How common is wet brain?

Less than 2% of the population suffers from Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, so the disease is relatively rare. Most alcoholics do not make it to the wet brain stage of alcoholism. For better or worse, they either get help or face the consequences of their drinking that force them to stop.

That said, many alcoholics come to treatment deficient in thiamine (up to 80%). Once they stop drinking and improve their diet, their levels return to normal.

Do I have wet brain?

While wet brain is considered a rare disease, up to 80% of alcoholics have a thiamine deficiency. This deficiency can cause brain damage outside of a full wet brain diagnosis. Tying together rough estimates, as high as 1 in every 7 alcoholics may develop wet brain, usually between ages 30-70.

If you had Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, you would likely know it because the symptoms are so noticeable and happen so quickly. For example, people with wet brain usually experience multiple days in a row with limited muscle movement or trouble seeing with no other explanations. Typically, alcoholics develop wet brain after years of drinking.

How do I prevent wet brain?

The best way to prevent wet brain is to stop drinking alcohol. Wet brain is just one very serious and very real consequence of continued drinking. I know it’s not easy, but it is possible!

Alcoholics that are experiencing wet brain symptoms should get medical attention immediately to prevent further damage.

Question 5

Is my husband an alcoholic?

Accepted Answer

A diagnosis of alcoholism involves answering “yes” to at least two of 12 diagnostic questions. The questions aren’t about how much or how often someone drinks, but what consequences stem from their drinking. Alcoholics may maintain their responsibilities in the short-run, but eventually, the drinking will catch up with them.

What’s the definition of alcoholism?

Alcoholism (now known as alcohol use disorder) is a disease in which a person has a desire or physical need to consume alcohol, even though drinking is causing negative consequences in their life.

What classifies a person as an alcoholic?

According to the latest diagnostic standard, the disease is diagnosed using the following twelve questions. If the answer is “yes” to more than two of these in the last 12 months, your husband meets the clinical diagnosis for Alcohol Use Disorder.

Have there been times when he drank more or longer than he intended to?
Has he tried more than once to cut down or stop drinking, but couldn’t?
Does he spend a lot of time drinking or being sick from drinking?
Has he wanted a drink so badly that he couldn’t think of anything else?
Does drinking (or being sick from drinking) often interfere with the family? Or, cause problems at work or school?
Does he continue to drink even though it’s causing trouble with you, or other family or friends?
Has he given up or cut back on activities that were previously important in order to drink?
More than once, has he gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased his chances of getting hurt (such as drunk driving)?
Has he continued to drink even though it was making him feel depressed or anxious or adds to another health problem? Or, after having had a memory blackout?
Does his usual number of drinks have much less effect than before?
When the effects of alcohol wear off, does he have withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart or a seizure?

Again, he only needs to check two of these boxes to meet the criteria. You’ll see more and more signs the longer the problem drinking continues.

What are other warning signs of alcoholism?

While not included in the formal diagnosis, there are other behaviors I see that differentiate normal drinking from problem drinking, including:

Drinking alone, in secret or at inappropriate times
Having legal problems related to drinking, including a DUI
Needing alcohol to relax or feel confident
Feeling urges to drink or anxiety without alcohol
Storing alcohol in odd places
Denying drinking, hiding alcohol or get angry when confronted about drinking

Supporting Graphic - Even a mild alcohol use disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.

Does drinking every day make you an alcoholic?

Neither the amount nor the frequency of drinking is part of the diagnosis. But, most people like to have some type of quantity measure.

For men, low-risk drinking is considered no more than four drinks per day OR 14 drinks in a week. (For women, it’s less than three drinks a day, no more than seven in a week).

What counts as a standard drink:
Beer 10-12oz, Wine 5oz, Shot 1.5oz, Mixed Drink varies

That means your husband doesn’t have to get drunk every day to be an alcoholic. He can also still have a job and be an alcoholic. The fact that you’re asking about your his drinking is already a red flag that there’s an issue, regardless of the amount he says he drinks.

What can I do about my husband’s drinking?

Denial is a normal psychological response that can be frustratingly difficult to overcome. The more consequences he experiences from his drinking, the more likely he is to accept alcohol is a problem.

See how he reacts when you express your concerns in a caring way when he’s sober. If it doesn’t go well, try getting others involved through marriage counseling or an intervention.

Is my husband an alcoholic?

What is wet brain?

What are the early signs of liver damage?

How do I find the best alcohol rehab near me?

Is alcohol a stimulant?

See New Alcohol Questions

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Alcohol Prevalence Facts

Alcohol Effects Facts

Binge Drinking Facts

Alcoholism Facts

Alcohol Death Facts

Cultural Alcohol Facts

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