Many people know that alcohol negatively affects those that drink it, in a similar way to other drugs. It leads some people to ask, “Is alcohol a drug?” If you’re asking that because you habitually drink alcohol, or you know someone who does, the answer could be concerning.
Is Alcohol A Drug?
A drug is defined as a substance that affects the body and mind when introduced into the body system. Some of the changes can be good. Others can be negative. That’s why both prescription medications and illicit substances are categorized as drugs.
When someone drinks alcohol, the entire body feels the effects. Physically, long-term alcohol abuse can cause liver damage, digestive issues, and circulatory system complications. Continuous drinking can also lead to problems with the central nervous system, which includes numbness, frontal lobe damage, memory loss, problems with emotional control, and judgment.
Due to the short and long-term effects people experience, many professionals do categorize alcohol as a drug.
Is Alcohol A Drug Commonly Abused?
Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug used in the United States. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 15 million adults struggled with alcohol abuse disorder. Part of its popularity comes from our culture. We live in a society where people drink when they celebrate, commiserate, socialize, or try to relax. And, alcohol is easily accessible.
Another part of alcohol’s abuse statistics stems from personal uncertainty. Some people don’t know when they drink too much. Others may not even know what amount of alcohol is too much. So they drink whatever they’re comfortable with, or beyond, and wind up continuously abusing alcohol, even if they’re not aware of it.
Alcohol Addiction is Treatable
If people abuse alcohol long enough, they can develop an addiction. Alcohol addiction is a serious problem that interrupts daily life in social, physical, mental, and monetary ways. People who struggle with an addiction often have problems with relationships, responsibilities, and law enforcement.
Even if someone has been struggling with an addiction for a long time, it’s still possible to get and stay sober. Anyone can get help through addiction treatment programs. They just need to make sure they find the treatment centers that will really help them heal.
Many people start their addiction treatment with detox. Spring Gardens Recovery can be that detox center for you or your loved one. We offer a number of detox therapies designed to help people through the pains of the detox process in comfort in a retreat-like setting, including:
You or your loved one don’t have to struggle through alcohol detox alone. Call Spring Gardens Recovery today at (866) 244-9556 to talk with experienced detox professionals that can really help you.
