Alcohol is one of the most abused substances in the United States. Whether it’s on holidays or all year round, alcohol consumption is something that many people indulge in. In fact, alcohol abuse is one of the top reasons for preventable deaths in the country. It even tops that of opioid deaths. When people drink alcohol, they often feel like they want to participate in different activities such as going to parties, dancing, and hanging out with friends. This may lead people to wonder is alcohol a stimulant?
Other people may feel more tired when drinking alcohol and even get to the point where they pass out. Whether you feel energetic or extremely drowsy, excessive drinking requires the help of an alcohol addiction rehab program in Portland, Oregon.
Is Alcohol a Stimulant or a Depressant?
Alcohol affects the central nervous system when it enters the body, which is what drugs do. Therefore, alcohol is considered a drug. When people first start drinking they feel relaxed and loosened up. People may talk more freely than normal. In addition, they may feel less inhibited. These feelings and behaviors make you feel stimulated or active, so people are getting the stimulant effects of alcohol. However, this doesn’t mean that alcohol is a stimulant.
Alcohol Acts as a Depressant
Once you reach a certain point in your drinking, you will notice that you start to feel a little drowsier. People sometimes stagger and fall when they enter this phase of drinking. This is because the alcohol is acting as a depressant on your system now.
So you may wonder why alcohol is a depressant. In fact, alcohol acts upon the central nervous system to slow down the system. The depressant effects on the body show up when someone drinks an excessive amount. Some of the effects of too much alcohol on the body include:
- Slurred speech
- Unsteady walking
- Perceptual disturbances
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of consciousness
In severe cases, someone may have alcohol poisoning.
Get Help With Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Portland
At Crestview Recovery, our caring and compassionate staff is ready to help you on your journey to a brighter future. Our tranquil and lovely facility is conducive to helping you find the path of hope. Trained clinicians will walk beside you while you walk toward a new life filled with health and wholeness. We use evidence-based therapies so you are sure to see results. Additionally, we offer a broad range of therapy options some of which include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy:
This type of therapy is effective in treating a number of mental health disorders and can be very helpful in treating alcoholism. CBT can help you to identify thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your drinking and will teach you how to change them.
Dialectical behavioral therapy:
DBT is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that is specifically designed to treat borderline personality disorder. DBT has been found to be helpful in treating a number of other mental health disorders as well, and it can be an effective tool in treating alcoholism.
Individual therapy:
A form of therapy that is conducted with one person. Individual therapy can be very helpful in treating alcoholism because it allows you to work on specific issues that are relevant to your life.
Group therapy:
A form of therapy that is conducted with a group of people who are all struggling with similar issues. Group therapy can be very helpful in treating alcoholism because it provides support and accountability.
Family therapy:
A form of therapy that is conducted with the family members of someone who is struggling with an addiction. Family therapy can be very helpful in treating alcoholism because it can help to heal the relationships that have been damaged by the addiction.
Mindfulness meditation therapy:
Mindfulness meditation has been found to be helpful in treating a number of mental health disorders, and it can be an effective tool in treating alcoholism.
Holistic therapy:
A form of therapy that focuses on treating the whole person. Holistic therapy can be very helpful in treating alcoholism because it addresses the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the addiction.
Don’t Let Alcohol Addiction Hold You Back in Life
Now that you know the answer to whether alcohol is a depressant, you can receive the treatment you need for a calm life. Contact us at 866.262.0531, and we’ll get you on the pathway to recovery.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
