Alcohol is the most commonly consumed legalized drug in the world, creates a heavy social and economic burden in society and is likely to cause physical and psychological dependence. According to WHO, alcoholism affects 140 million people worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of premature death.
There are many diseases associated with its use, from tuberculosis to HIV and infections. What happens in the brain after drinking alcohol and, most importantly, when there is an alcohol dependence problem?So we get into the neurobiology of alcoholism.
- Alcoholism etiopatogeny involves a complex interaction between biological.
- Psychological.
- Social and environmental factors.
Genetic or hereditary factors are one of the most reliable predictors of the establishment of addictive behavior in a person; the congenital disposition of an individual to suffer from alcoholism can represent up to 60% of the cases of this addiction.
From a biochemical point of view, the risk of alcohol dependence has been linked to variations in genes that encode proteins that make up in particular two enzymes: alcohol dehydrogenase and adehyde dehydrogenase.
However, in addition to possible hereditary origins, there are other possible neurobiological causes, such as a reduction in the level of expression of the MAO-A enzyme (monoamine oxidase type A), which some experience after experiencing traumatic events.
Low levels of MAO-A have been correlated with increased antisocial behavior, which in turn is a risk factor for alcoholism.
Of course, there are other possible explanations for the etiology of more behavioral alcoholism, which use learning experiences and personality traits.
In fact, it would be essentially the same explanation, only at a different level than neurobiological, but in direct relation to it.
It has been proven that, directly or indirectly, alcohol may interact with a wide range of nervous system neurotransmitters; this interaction is caused by the fat-soluble nature of ethanol, which allows it to cross the blood brain barrier (BHE). and thus reach the brain.
The neurotransmitters and hormones that may interact with ethyl alcohol are:
Alcohol dependence is characterized by deficits in the physiological regulatory capacity of motivation and reward systems.
It is assumed that several brain structures are responsible for these systems that affect human behavior, such as the limbic system, amygdala, hippocampus, caulocked nucleus, accumbens nucleus and frontal lobe.
Dysfunction of the above systems could be the cause of alcohol-related phenomena, such as alcohol dependence, alcohol poisoning, or withdrawal syndrome.
Alcohol consumption has a de inhibiting and depressing effect on the central nervous system.
The first is characterized by the blocking and modification of brain structures and processes related to thought, reflection or ethical values, among others, in addition to promoting impulsivity and uncontrolled emotions.
Thus, some significant cognitive functions are more or less sustainably affected, including executive functions of the frontal lobes, mnemonic problems, deficits in visuospatial capacity, and motor and oculomotor control problems.
Alteration of executive functions by alcohol consumption usually manifests itself in the form of impulsivity, emotional numbness, lack of judgment, concentration deficit, disinhibition and loss of motivation.
The disinhibitive effect of alcohol also results in secondary motivation and strengthening, as it can allow the person to engage in behaviors that, in a state of sobriety, he would not choose to perform.
Therefore, alcohol can provide a transient sense of freedom, empathy and exacerbation of emotions.
Excessive and prolonged consumption of alcohol is usually necessary for the brain to adopt an addictive attitude.
In general, the development of alcoholism can be explained by the positive strengthening effects of alcohol consumption on the brain, the ingestion of this substance activates the brain’s reward system and generates pleasurable sensations that lead the brain to desire greater consumption later.
To cope with alcoholism, there are many resources of assistance and support offered by the state. Consultation with your family doctor may be a good first step in starting the alcoholic detoxification process.
As we see, the neurobiology of alcoholism explains how and when alcohol abuse behavior becomes a problem. In any case, you should continue to hope that the multiple approaches that exist will help you overcome addiction.