10 Psychological Effects of Alcohol Misuse You Should Be Talking to Your Patients About

Authored by Dillon McClernon

The Psychological Effects of Alcohol Abuse – Even After Alcohol Rehabs

Do you have patients who are misusing alcohol? In the US, more than half of all adults consume alcohol regularly. With 6.6% of the adult population meeting the qualifications for alcohol use disorder, being concerned about patients who are drinking a lot is understandable. Therefore, you have probably talked to your patients about the many negative side effects of drinking—liver damage, kidney damage, sleep disruption, weight gain, etc. Most people have a general idea that alcohol isn’t great for their bodies. But have you talked to your patients about the psychological impact of alcohol misuse?

Most people know that alcohol is affecting their brain in the short-term while they are actually drinking, but fewer people are aware of the potential for long-term effects of alcohol misuse on the brain.

Talking to your patients about these additional negative side effects could help them to better understand the consequences of their actions – even after alcohol rehabs.

10 Psychological Effects of Alcohol Misuse

While the alcohol misuse can affect anyone, there are certain factors which may determine the extent of the impact on the brain, including:

• The quantity and frequency of consumption
• The age at which a person begins drinking, and how long they continue
• The age, education level, gender, genetic background, and family history of alcoholism
• The general health status of the individual

Taking into account the factors listed above, the psychological ramifications of alcohol addiction can be severe. Interestingly, some of the effects of alcohol use may become apparent after only a short or limited use. Ten psychological effects of alcohol misuse may include:

Short-term psychological effects:

1. Difficulty focusing
2. Relaxation and diminished stress
3. Reduced inhibitions
4. Problems with memory
5. Affected vision, coordination and reflexes

Long-term psychological effects:

1. Increased depression and anxiety
2. Tolerance development and increased substance use
3. Dependency, otherwise known as alcoholism
4. Impaired learning and memory capacity
5. Interrupted brain development

Talk to your patients about both the negative physical and psychological effects of alcohol misuse. If you have a patient who is in need of treatment for alcohol abuse, do not hesitate to recommend our alcohol rehabs. The sooner an individual receives treatment, the less likely there will be lasting negative effects. Look for a treatment program that is prepared to address both the physical and psychological needs of each patient. Here at RCA Westminster, we understand that recovery is more than abstinence—we believe in restoring the health of the whole person to enable lasting and sustainable recovery. So, to learn more about our treatment programs call 1-800-RECOVERY today.

Authored by

Dillon McClernon

Dillon currently serves as the Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at RCA. After his tenure as Chief Communications Officer and senior advisor to RCA, he opted for a full-time position at RCA where he could build a new team linking sales and marketing to directly impact RCA’s mission of saving 1 million lives.