Summary Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency that happens when high levels of alcohol shut down vital functions like breathing and heart rate. It’s different—and far more dangerous—than just being drunk. BAC levels as low as 0.08% can impair judgment and coordination, but levels above 0.40% can cause coma or death. Signs of alcohol poisoning … Read more
Summary Long-term alcohol use can shrink brain volume, damage white matter, and impair memory and learning—all of which may affect your cognition. A major study found that alcohol use disorders were the leading modifiable risk factor for early-onset dementia, linked to nearly 40% of cases. Possible mechanisms behind alcohol-related dementia include excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, acetaldehyde toxicity, … Read more
Summary Alcohol can raise or lower your heart rate depending on the dose, timing, and your individual response. Short-term effects may include a racing or irregular heartbeat, while long-term use can reduce your heart rate variability (HRV) and increase the risk of chronic cardiovascular issues. Alcohol can also slow your heart rate dangerously by affecting … Read more
Summary Sudafed® (pseudoephedrine) is a stimulant decongestant that narrows blood vessels to relieve nasal swelling but can raise heart rate, blood pressure, and cause jitteriness or insomnia. Alcohol and Sudafed® have competing effects on the body. Sudafed® is a stimulant, while alcohol is a depressant—they can alter or mask each other’s symptoms. Mixing the two … Read more
Summary Wellbutrin® (bupropion) is an antidepressant that works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine, not serotonin. It’s FDA-approved for depression, seasonal affective disorder, and smoking cessation. Mixing Wellbutrin® and alcohol can increase the risk of seizures, especially during withdrawal or binge drinking. The combination may also intensify other side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Alcohol … Read more
Summary Zoloft® (sertraline) is an SSRI used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and PMDD by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Mixing Zoloft® with alcohol can cause immediate effects like increased drowsiness, impaired motor skills, and poor judgment, raising the risk of accidents or injury. Long-term use of both substances may worsen depression and … Read more
The Main Attraction of the AA Program is its Support Structure Alcoholism is a serious problem that can have grave physical and mental health consequences. Addiction to alcohol can lead to a wide range of social, emotional, and financial problems. For those who are determined to tackle their problem and make a recovery, there are … Read more
September is National Recovery Month! National Recovery Month is observed in the United States throughout September every year. The goal of this initiative is to educate individuals about the single most important thing when it comes to mental and substance abuse disorders: It is more than possible for any individual with substance use disorder to … Read more
How aware are you? While you may not know, April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This is a tradition that started as a way to increase awareness about a disease many Americans suffer from. The idea is to spread information locally, statewide, and overall nationwide. Alcohol has touched almost all of our lives in one way … Read more
Can Alcohol Detox Cause Headaches? When undergoing alcohol detox, various symptoms may occur, one of which is headaches. These symptoms, although not usually dangerous, can be quite uncomfortable. If you’re considering detoxing from alcohol at home, it’s crucial to understand the possible side effects and how to manage them. Here’s an overview of alcohol detox … Read more
