Long-Term Effects of
Mental Health Substance Abuse

When a person is consuming alcohol frequently, there can be a number of effects which can take place over time. Whether the effects are beneficial or harmful can solely depend on how much alcohol is being consumed on average over each weekly period. A person who is dependent on alcohol could find that they have to content with alcohol-induced cirrhosis over time, but what are the mental effects which they could find they have to contend with?

The amount of alcohol which is consumed really can be a decider when it comes to particular consequences. For example, the likelihood of dementia can be determined simply by how much an elderly person drinks on average over seven days. If the number of drinks being consumed weekly is less than nine, then the drinker could find that they are actually reducing the chance of dementia occurring. However, those who consume more than 21 drinks over a week-long period could actually find that their chances of obtaining dementia can increase significantly.

It is all about balance when it comes to alcohol, with many experts believing that the odd drink every now and then is quite harmless. An English study unveiled that those who are middle-aged can have a heightened sense of logic and memory should they consume alcohol on a frequent basis, with women benefitting more than men. Those who drink to excess can find that these cognitive benefits diminish, with their overall brain productivity worsening because of the increased levels of alcohol in the bloodstream.

When a person is addicted to alcohol, brain damage can be one of the main things which can begin to slowly occur, worsening as the body’s exposure to alcohol continues. Naturally, brain damage can result in some mental health illnesses becoming more prominent in a person. Additionally, scar tissue can also begin to form because of the increased levels of alcohol in the bloodstream, reducing the body’s functionality.

Many different researchers have found different results, with some of the conclusions made conflicting with the results of previous investigations which have aimed to answer similar questions. It could be said that some of the answers and statistics made are subjective rather than objective – however, regardless of whether excessive alcohol consumption does or doesn’t affect a person’s mental health, the evidence is still clear on the physical implications that an addiction can have.

For example, in alcohol-induced cirrhosis, scar tissue can form on the liver which can have a drastic effect on its ability to function. Should the liver be unable to conduct the tasks in the body which are its purpose, the results can be devastating – with some addicts having the prospect of being poisoned by various toxins which the liver is meant to remove from the bloodstream once and for all.

Even though it could be regarded as a cliché, the advice is clear: drinking in moderation is one of the few ways to guarantee that alcohol consumption can not affect your health: mentally or physically.