Abusing drugs and alcohol is known to cause brain damage, even with mild to moderate usage. And it’s important to have a basic understanding of what you may have done to your brain while you were using (or if you continue to use).
In a nutshell, alcohol and drug abuse effect the brain in the following ways:
- Blocking nutrients that a healthy brain needs to function
- Destruction of brain cells and neurotransmitter receptors
- Altering brain chemical composition and construction
- Depriving proper flow of oxygen to brain tissues
This is a simple overview of the damage we can do to our brain every time we drink to excess, shoot up, snort a line or pop a pill. Extensive and long term substance abuse can and does result in destruction of brain cells, and our ability to think clearly and intelligently. Ultimately it can result in making really bad decisions (like drinking more and using more); memory loss; visual disorientation; hallucinations; loss of physical coordination; dementia; sickness and death. One of the more well-known results of excessive alcohol abuse is “wet brain,” a chronic brain disorder that may result in permanent damage.
The more we abuse alcohol and drugs, the more likely we are to damage our brains which results in our inability to make normal decisions. We become trapped in an endless loop of drinking, using, and bad decisions due to the fact that we are altering the chemical structure of our brain so that our thought process becomes jumbled and, quite simply, STUPID
We literally drink ourselves stupid!
In order to reverse the process and repair the damage, we need to feed every part of our body with proper nutrients that will restore our damaged brain cells, as well as getting a proper amount of sleep and establishing an exercise routine that we enjoy. With time and patience, hopefully we’ll start making more smart choices and fewer stupid ones as our brains rejuvenate and we regain our ability to think clearly, make positive decisions, and improve our memory.
*Health Tip: Certain types of fish are known to improve brain function. Try eating fish several times per week that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. Oysters are also healthy brain food.
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