Here’s how alcohol affects the brain and the varying mental health side effects that can result from excessive drinking. While alcohol can have a very temporary positive impact on our mood, in the long term it can cause big problems for our mental health. It’s linked to a range of issues from depression and memory loss to suicide.

Alcohol alters your brain chemistry
Our brains rely on a delicate balance of chemicals and processes. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it can disrupt that balance, affecting our thoughts, feelings and actions, and sometimes our long-term mental health. The relaxed feeling you can get when you have that first drink is due to the chemical changes alcohol has caused in your brain.

For many of us, a drink can help us feel more confident and less anxious. That’s because it’s starting to depress the part of the brain we associate with nervousness. But, as you drink more, more of the brain starts to be affected.

It doesn’t matter what mood you’re in to start with, when high levels of alcohol are involved, instead of pleasurable effects increasing, it’s possible that a negative emotional response will take over. Alcohol can be linked to aggression you could become angry, aggressive, anxious or depressed. To be continued.

Just for today

No matter how I feel today, I’ll go on with my recovery. The AA Estcourt branch hosts meetings every Tuesday at Forderville Primary School from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Desigan on 082 849 3014. The AA Winterton branch hosts meetings every Thursday at the Springfield Church opposite the police station from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Dolly on 071 688 5330 or Virgilo on 079 688 0432.