Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause mental health problems. Alcohol is a depressant, what it means, is that, it slows the activities of the brain by acting on the brain chemicals.
Our brains have chemicals which send information to and from the nerve cells, they are called neurotransmitters, these chemicals have to be kept at a balance. Alcohol, when taken, gets to the blood stream which eventually gets to the brain where it affects how we feel, think and behave. It achieves this by disrupting the chemical balance which results in impaired judgement, aggressive behavior, increased anxiety and stress, hence putting one at a higher risk of developing mental disorder or even trigger an underlying mental disorder.
At least 30-50% of people using alcohol and other drugs suffer from a mental disorder. Alcohol use can sometimes occur together with other disorders.
People suffering from mental disorders are also most likely to use alcohol to lessen or manage the distress that comes with the illness this stems from the ability of alcohol to alter the brains chemistry. However, with the periodic relief of the symptoms, the mental disorder worsens
Excessive consumption of alcohol or cessation of alcohol use after prolonged period of using can produce symptoms that mimic mental disorders such as mood disorders, eating disorders, anxiety, psychosis and personality disorders.
By: Gertrude Nanzala
5 Comments
Peninah Onege
I have a daughter who is alcoholic how can I get assistance from your hospital
Zakayo George
Do take nihf card
CHG
Yes, we take NHIF covers
Antony
I have a brother who is an alcoholic how I can get assistance from your hospital.
CHG
Hi Anthony,
Thank you for contacting Chiromo Hospital Group.
Please feel free to contact us on our outpatient number 0741 805793 for more information about our services and for appointments.
We look forward to hearing from you.
With kind regards,
DRk
Chiromo Hospital Group