Most people I talk to about alcoholism and what causes it have no idea that it is a brain chemistry problem and genetic.

All drugs which lead to dependence appear to affect the dopamine system. Stimulants like amphetamine and cocaine affect dopamine directly, whereas other drugs appear to affect it indirectly.

Because alcohol is a small molecule it interacts with many neurotransmitter systems in the brain; this makes the action of alcohol in the brain very different from and much more complex than large molecules such as opiates or amphetamines which only stimulate a specific neurotransmitter.

This is a list of some of the better research neurotransmitter systems with which alcohol interacts making it doubly lethal to your brain’s functionality.

  • GABA: Alcohol affects the GABA system in a manner similar to valium leading to relaxation and drowsiness.  I use the amino acid GABA to help wean my patients off alcohol. I also use Tyrosine for the Dopamine neurotransmitter, and L-Glutamine to assist in recovery. More about these amino acids later on.
  • Dopamine: Alcohol is a particularly lethal toxin that attaches itself to the Dopamine neurotransmitter and sets off the compulsion.
  • Endorphins: Alcohol affects the endorphin system in a manner similar to opiates, acting as a pain-killer and giving an endorphin “high”
  • Glutamate: Alcohol affects the glutamate system leading to staggering, slurred speech and memory blackouts.  Having a blackout doesn’t mean you have to be in a comatose state. An alcoholic blackout means you can still function, like driving your car, but do not remember arriving at your destination. That’s extremely dangerous and you are well on your way to a permanent comatose state.
  • Norepinephrine: Also known as noradrenalin. Alcohol causes a release of norepinephrine in the brain which is one reason why alcohol acts as a stimulant and not just as a depressant. Very few people understand that alcohol is also a depressant and can make you feel sadder. I know people who wash down their antidepressants with alcohol and wonder why they are feeling suicidal and/or homicidal.
  • Adrenaline: Alcohol causes the adrenal glands to release adrenaline. This is another reason why alcohol has stimulant properties. The adrenaline is carried to the brain via the bloodstream.

Alcohol does not lead to an increase of dopamine throughout the brain; it only causes an increase in dopamine in the area of the reward pathway giving you that sense of satisfaction.  Why do people abuse alcohol?  They want to feel better. They are looking for a reward and a sense of satisfaction.

All things which give us pleasure, from music to food, sex, drugs, shopping and alcohol, cause a release of dopamine in the reward pathway as well as triggering a number of other events in the brain including endorphin release – that high you feel when you’ve achieved something worthwhile.

What effects does alcohol have on the body and the brain?

As mentioned earlier, alcohol affects the part of your brain that controls speech, movement and memory. It also impacts your judgement, which can lead to some bad decisions when you are under the influence. Signs of drunkenness include slurred speech, bad behaviour, trouble walking and difficulty performing manual tasks. Long-term heavy use of alcohol can shrink the frontal lobes of your brain, which is the part of your brain you need for thinking and making decisions.

Alcohol has no preference for the type of person it attacks. Alcohol is cunning, powerful, baffling and very, very patient.  It’s a disease of the emotions and alcohol itself, is only a symptom of an underlying problem. There are a myriad of problems associated with alcoholism with more than 54% of alcoholics suffering with Bipolar 2 and a smaller percentage with Bipolar 1.

Alcoholics suffer from Emotional Regulation Disorder and again, alcohol is only a symptom to cover up this mental illness.  Alcoholics self-medicate and the medical profession can take up to 15 years to properly diagnose which mental illness is causing the alcoholic so much emotional pain.

Alcohol is especially taxing on the liver because the organ must break down harmful substances, including alcohol.  People who drink heavily for long periods of time might develop steatosis, a condition in which fat accumulates in the liver and causes fatigue and abdominal pain. This can lead to more serious liver damage. Other liver diseases can develop including hepatitis, which is an inflammatory condition of the liver, or cirrhosis, which involves liver damage and scar tissue and can lead to an early death.

Alcohol can be both good and bad for your heart, depending upon how much you drink. Moderate drinking, which is one or two drinks per day for men and one drink for women, might actually lower your chances of developing heart disease. However, how many people reading this article can stick to two standard drinks per day (for men) and one standard drink (for women)?

Heavy drinking can damage your heart by causing cardiomyopathy, a disease where your heart muscle gets larger but is ineffective. Heavy drinking can also cause potential problems with the rhythm of your heart beat. Long-term use of alcohol can also lead to high blood pressure, which increases your risk of heart disease.

Hundreds of thousands of people die every year and their death certificate states “Heart Attack” or “Blood Pressure” or “Cancer” as cause of death, when in actual fact, it was alcohol.  Family members do not want the word “alcohol” as the cause of death of their loved ones.  If we took into account the number of deaths through heart disease, blood pressure and cancer, then alcohol would take over as the No.1 killer in the world.

As part of your normal bodily functions, your pancreas makes insulin, bicarbonates and digestive enzymes. Alcohol triggers your pancreas to make toxic substances that can eventually lead to pancreatitis, or the inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels in the pancreas. Digestive enzymes, which are normally inactive until they reach the small intestine, begin to work on the tissues of your pancreas, causing damage that can lead to infection, bleeding and permanent damage.

Drinking too much alcohol can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of getting infections like pneumonia. Consuming too much alcohol also increases your risk of developing certain cancers of the mouth, oesophagus, throat, liver and breast.  Again, what do you think would appear on the Death Certificate?

There are many resources available to the alcoholic to help him or her achieve a successful sobriety. I have seen many ladies over the years that are still sober today. How do I know?  They keep in touch with me on a regular basis. They have adhered to the program they were first introduced to when they commenced counselling.

They also take their supplements, including Tyrosine and L-Glutamine, to help balance their brain chemistry. L-Glutamine supports efficient brain function and is the body’s most potent antioxidant and detoxifier. Tyrosine Mood Food is necessary for the manufacture of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood.

I also recommend Magnesium Ultra Potent to help them reduce stress and assist with a deep and restful sleep without having to use drugs or alcohol.

LivaTone Plus supports phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways, ensuring optimum detoxification of many toxic substances and also supports liver function and metabolism.

Blues Free is designed to support a better mood. Hydroxytryptophan is needed by the brain to make Serotonin which is the natural happy chemical produced by brain cells and has a controlling effect upon mood and feelings, appetite, sleep, confidence and mental energy.

Sleep Eze is another useful sleep enhancer and I use it myself.  Melatonin is best taken at night when the pineal gland is meant to secrete its own melatonin to promote a natural restful sleep and awake refreshed in the morning without that “sleeping tablet hangover”.   I like it because it is not addictive.

Everyday Stress Lozenges. These Everyday Stress Lozenges contain all natural passion flower petals to help you relax under pressure. A natural herb with relaxing and calming effects upon the nervous system, to help you perform under pressure without slowing you down.

Adrenal Plus Support.  If you support the function of your adrenal glands, you have more chance coping with the everyday pressures of life. Many people suffer with morning fatigue and depression due to sluggish function of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are 2 small glands that are situated just above the kidneys and when they are working efficiently, they produce extra surges of energising hormones such as cortisol, adrenalin and DHEA to help you face the challenges of the new day. In other words, the adrenal gland hormones increase your resistance to stress and provide the drive and energy to succeed.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.