Is Alcohol a Depressant?

Is Alcohol a Depressant or Stimulant?

One of the most common questions involving alcohol has always been, “is alcohol a depressant?”

The answer is yes. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that often does the opposite of what it is meant to.

Many people drink to boost their moods, but in reality, this depressant can negatively impact both your mental and physical health. It alters your moods, behaviors, and functioning.

While it may help you relax at the moment, the side effects of alcohol and the impending hangover may increase your anxiety and stress levels later.

Our Pathfinders programs can help you break the vicious cycle of abuse and health impairments.

Why is Alcohol a Depressant?

The question “is alcohol a depressant or stimulant?” is one that makes sense. Alcohol is a tricky substance. Depending on the individual and the amount consumed, it can mimic the effects of both drug categories. It may feel like a stimulant when it boosts your mood or energy at the moment. But when the crash comes, it is clear that alcohol is a depressant. Alcohol slows down your brain and neurological activity. It does so through the enhancement of the effects of the GABA neurotransmitter in your brain.

Another way you can tell that alcohol is a depressant is how it impairs your reactions. Under the influence, you may experience speech slurs, unsteady movements, confusion or anger, and the inability to react to things as quickly as you usually would. In addition to physical impairments, alcohol impairs your mental health, too. It makes it harder for you to reason rationally, distorting your judgment. It also diminishes your inhibitions, making it easier to make poor choices that may lead to accidents, violence, impaired driving, or criminal activity.

How Common is Alcoholism

Alcohol is the cause of some of the most common substance abuse disorders. Nearly 18 million American adults have an alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use disorders impact a wide variety of individuals across different ages, genders, and walks of life. Alcohol is normalized and readily available; one factor of many that make it easy to abuse. Think about the last time you attended an office or family party, celebratory dinner, or other social gatherings that did not involve alcohol at all.

Drinking alcohol is an activity that most American adults participate in, whether using it to celebrate or ease stress. This makes it difficult for addicts to understand why they became addicted when others didn’t. It also makes it easier to ignore. But pretending the problem does not exist will not make it go away. The best way to understand, address, and overcome any kind of addiction is to seek help from trained professionals. There is nothing wrong with needing some guidance on your journey to sobriety. Many individuals have found their entire lives changed after attending an addiction care program. You are not alone.

Understanding Alcohol Use Disorders

Many people mistakenly believe that addiction is about a lack of internal strength or willpower. This false belief is damaging. Addiction is a chronic disease that alters your brain chemistry. And it is a chronic disease that many of us are predisposed to since alcohol use disorders tend to run in families. This powerful depressant has barreled its way through families for many years. Living in an environment where alcohol abuse appears normal makes it very difficult to avoid as you age. Other social and environmental factors are common contributors, as well. High-stress careers, emotionally challenging relationships, and trauma are often linked to alcohol abuse.