Is Alcohol a Stimulant?

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Is alcohol a stimulant or a depressant? The answer is not that straight forward. Alcohol works by imitating a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. The neurotransmitter is responsible for sending specific messages to the brain, which results in sedation, relaxation, and improvements in mood. These effects are similar to other depressant drugs such as benzodiazepines, which work similarly. The effects of the depressant may include:

  • Speech that sounds slurred

  • Inability to stand up or walk straight

  • Distorted sight

  • Delayed reaction

  • The inability to think rationally

  • Inhibition – willing to do anything

This is when an alcohol addiction rehab program in Midway, Utah can help put you back on the right path.

Is Alcohol a Stimulant?

The initial wave of side effects produced by alcohol is more stimulating than depressing. Initially, you may drink alcohol to relax or not feel bound by social inhibitions. However, drinking too much can cause you to quickly move beyond the stimulating effects into the more depressing effects of alcohol. Once you drink beyond your tolerance, you may start to feel impaired or cannot make good decisions. Slowly, your senses, mind, and motor skills start to go into decline.

Side Effects Depressants from Alcohol

So, is alcohol a stimulant or depressant? Alcohol inhibits glutamate and causes memory loss and other impaired brain functions. Alcohol releases dopamine — the neurotransmitter chemical responsible for pleasure and reward. These causes people to drink even more in an attempt to increase pleasant feelings that dopamine produces. However, as you consume more alcohol, side effects will become more intense. Pretty soon, the alcohol will impair your judgment, vision, and alertness. It will also dull your senses, affect your concentration, and slows down your reaction time.

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

You may have experienced times when you drank alcohol primarily for its side effects. This has often been referred to as Drinking to Get Drunk. In this situation, you know exactly how you are going to feel after so many drinks, and that is precisely how you want to feel. If you continue drinking alcohol for this reason on multiple occasions, the side effects of alcohol will eventually wear off. However, if you continue drinking in this manner, you run the risk of developing alcohol use disorder. If so, you can get help for your disorder at our alcohol addiction rehab program in Midway Utah. You can take advantage of the following types of treatment for your disease:

Contact Acqua Recovery for Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Is alcohol a stimulant? Find out more at Acqua Recovery. We can help you get started on the road to recovery through our comprehensive treatment program. To find out more about our alcohol addiction treatment,  call us today at 866.830.4628. We are here to help you get on the road to recovery.

Is Alcohol a Stimulant?

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Dr. Daniel Pickrell

Dr. Daniel Pickrell
Medical Reviewer

Dr. Pickrell is a board-certified psychiatrist with interests in addiction and psychiatry. He strives to identify the underlying cause of substance use. His understanding of addiction as the overlapping symptoms of biopsychosocial development is the foundation to his care model. He is committed to helping both patients and families understand that addiction is a treatable medical illness. He has been involved in the treatment of addiction for the last 17 years and completed his residency training at the University of Utah.

By: Acqua Recovery

Posted Date: Jan 26, 2023

Updated Date: Nov 6, 2024

Is alcohol a stimulant or a depressant? The answer is not that straight forward. Alcohol works by imitating a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. The neurotransmitter is responsible for sending specific messages to the brain, which results in sedation, relaxation, and improvements in mood. These effects are similar to other depressant drugs such as benzodiazepines, which work similarly. The effects of the depressant may include:

  • Speech that sounds slurred

  • Inability to stand up or walk straight

  • Distorted sight

  • Delayed reaction

  • The inability to think rationally

  • Inhibition - willing to do anything

This is when an alcohol addiction rehab program in Midway, Utah can help put you back on the right path.

Is Alcohol a Stimulant?

The initial wave of side effects produced by alcohol is more stimulating than depressing. Initially, you may drink alcohol to relax or not feel bound by social inhibitions. However, drinking too much can cause you to quickly move beyond the stimulating effects into the more depressing effects of alcohol. Once you drink beyond your tolerance, you may start to feel impaired or cannot make good decisions. Slowly, your senses, mind, and motor skills start to go into decline.

Side Effects Depressants from Alcohol

So, is alcohol a stimulant or depressant? Alcohol inhibits glutamate and causes memory loss and other impaired brain functions. Alcohol releases dopamine — the neurotransmitter chemical responsible for pleasure and reward. These causes people to drink even more in an attempt to increase pleasant feelings that dopamine produces. However, as you consume more alcohol, side effects will become more intense. Pretty soon, the alcohol will impair your judgment, vision, and alertness. It will also dull your senses, affect your concentration, and slows down your reaction time.

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

You may have experienced times when you drank alcohol primarily for its side effects. This has often been referred to as Drinking to Get Drunk. In this situation, you know exactly how you are going to feel after so many drinks, and that is precisely how you want to feel. If you continue drinking alcohol for this reason on multiple occasions, the side effects of alcohol will eventually wear off. However, if you continue drinking in this manner, you run the risk of developing alcohol use disorder. If so, you can get help for your disorder at our alcohol addiction rehab program in Midway Utah. You can take advantage of the following types of treatment for your disease:

Contact Acqua Recovery for Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Is alcohol a stimulant? Find out more at Acqua Recovery. We can help you get started on the road to recovery through our comprehensive treatment program. To find out more about our alcohol addiction treatment,  call us today at 866.830.4628. We are here to help you get on the road to recovery.

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