Study: Binge Drinking and Your Brain

Binge drinking can do some serious damage to your brain, according to a mini review published in Frontiers in Psychology. 

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08 g/dL. This typically occurs after 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men — in about two hours, notes the NIAAA.

Researchers found that this type of heavy drinking among young adults can lead to a thinning or reduction of areas of the brain that impact: 

• Inhibition
• Memory
• Verbal learning 
• Decision making and reward processing
• Alcohol cue reactivity
• Socio-cognitive/socio-emotional processing

What’s more, "these brain alterations, as a result of heavy alcohol use during adolescence and young adulthood, could result in increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later on in life,” said study author Anita Cservenka, Assistant Professor at Oregon State University.

More Side Effects of Binge Drinking

Binge drinking can result in serious health, safety and academic risks. Binge drinkers who consumed alcohol at least 3 times per week were roughly 6 times more likely than those who drank but never binged to perform poorly on a test or project as a result of drinking, according to the NIAAA. Over time, frequent binge drinking can also cause damage to the liver and other organs.

Other consequences of binge drinking include a higher risk of:

• Alcohol use disorders
• Car crashes
• Drunk-driving arrests
• Sexual assaults and unsafe sex
• Suicide attempts
• Injuries  

Stopping the Side Effects of Alcohol Abuse 

The best way to combat the physical and emotional health consequences of a substance use disorder is early intervention. Don’t wait. If you or someone you love has a drinking problem, Hope Academy can help you get the help you need today. To learn more about our young adult alcohol rehab, call toll-free today: 866-930-4673.

How a Joystick Can Help Alcoholics Avoid Relapse

Could a video gaming joystick help you stay sober? That’s what researchers are looking to discover in an ongoing study in Berlin. Study participants were asked to use the device to push away alcohol-related images and pull images of water and non-alcoholic beverages closer in an attempt to prevent relapse.  

Before the training, the majority of participants associate alcohol with ‘approach’ but, after the training, alcohol is associated with ‘avoid,’ according to the press release. Along with conventional addiction treatment, the joystick therapy was found to lower relapse rates.

The Signs of Relapse
Unfortunately, relapse is a pretty normal part of recovery –  and just the image of alcohol can be enough to trigger some people with alcohol use disorder to start drinking again. But a relapse is more than just returning to using – and, in fact, there are warning signs of long before the first drink occurs. 

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, when people who have had a stable recovery and have done well begin to relapse, they:

• Return to addictive thinking patterns 
• Engage in compulsive, self-defeating behaviors 
• Seek out situations involving people who use alcohol and drugs
• Think less rationally, and behaving less responsibly
• Find themselves in a situation in which alcohol use seems like a logical escape from pain

Aftercare Planning at Hope Academy in CA
Young adults are particularly vulnerable to relapse during the first 90 days after treatment, but sobriety is a never-ending battle. At Hope Academy, we offer our clients support groups, transitional living options, aftercare programs and sobriety-college living. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love get and stay sober, contact our credentialed addiction specialists today! Call 866-930-4673.

Alcohol Abuse Linked to Mental Decline

You likely already know the social as well as the physical consequences of alcohol use disorder – for example, cancers, stroke, heart disease, and liver disease – but according to a new study published in the journal Research Society on Alcoholism, drinking also impacts your cognitive ability.

Researchers found that a lifetime history of alcohol dependence resulted in poorer cognitive functions, memory, learning, verbal and motor function, and speed of processing.

Of course, your best bet for preventing these negative effects is to seek help if you or someone you love is suffering from alcohol use disorder. In addition, a few daily habits can add up to a big brain boost, improving your cognitive function and preventing mental decline.

• Get physical: Regular exercise can help increase blood flow to the brain.
• Stay social: Developing a healthy support network is a surefire way to support brain health, according to studies, and it’s also a smart way to safeguard your recovery.
• Fuel your body. There’s no-one brain food, per se, but eating a healthy and balanced diet (think lots of fruits and veggies) has been shown to stave off mental decline.
• Play games: Challenging yourself to think in new ways has been study-proven to have both short- and long-term benefits for your brain. And there are a host of puzzles, brain games and apps designed to give you a good mental workout.
• Don’t skimp sleep: Sleep conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea have been linked to problems with memory and thinking.
• Be mindful of your mental health. Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression can up your risk of cognitive decline, so be sure to seek help if you’re suffering from any of these mental health concerns.

Get Help for Alcohol Abuse
Don’t let alcohol abuse turn into a lifetime struggle. Hope Academy’s alcohol abuse program provides a safe environment for teens and young adults to start on the road to sobriety. To learn more, call today: 866-930-4673.