SearchHow Drinking Alcohol Could Affect Your Personality
Do you feel like you have a completely different personality when you have a few drinks in your system? There are a few very specific reasons for that change, and we’ll let you in on them.
What Alcohol Does to the Brain & Body
Side Effects of Drinking Alcohol
It’s no secret that drinking alcohol can cause undesirable short-term side effects like nausea and vomiting, heachades, diarrhea, trouble focusing, and more. But what’s less clear are the long-term side effects that excessive drinking can eventually cause. If someone consistently drinks alcohol, they may begin to experience:
- Persistent changes in mood
- Insomnia and sleep issues
- Weakened immune system
- Changes in libido and sex drive
- Appetite and weight changes
- Memory and concentration issues
- Difficulty focusing on tasks
- Increase conflict in relationships
Individuals who drink frequently or heavily may also realize that they act differently under the influence than they do when they are sober. For example, a person who is usually calm and level-headed might become angry and irate when they are drunk. An individual’s personality may seem or feel completely different when they are under the influence.
How Can Drinking Change Your Personality?
Technically, alcohol cannot change your personality. It can, however, control your behaviors and actions. Individuals who suffer from alcohol abuse disorders are more likely to deal with these personality changes than those who only drink on occasion.
Being under the influence of alcohol can make someone feel differently than normal. A person who is drunk might begin to act in ways that they normally wouldn’t because of how alcohol impacts their brain. Someone who is under the influence may feel extremely friendly and affectionate, happy, sexually promiscuous, angry and aggressive, or even depressed.
There is no way for someone to predict exactly how they will feel while drinking, but there are a few ways to prevent any personality changes or unusual behavior.
Preventing Personality Changes From Drinking
The most obvious way to prevent any potential personality changes while drinking is to control how much you drink on one given night. If drinking is no longer making you feel relaxed, it might be time to cut yourself off. If you don’t trust yourself to stop drinking when you reach your limit, enlist the help of a friend to monitor how much you drink. Additionally, make sure to drink plenty of water and eat a full meal before drinking.
If you are finding it hard to control your drinking, you might be dependent on alcohol. If you think you might have an alcohol dependence or abuse issue, it could be time to talk to your doctor about potential treatment options. There are many treatment methods available for alcohol abuse, including Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step support groups.
Want to learn more about how alcohol can change your personality and alcohol addiction treatment? Our team of substance abuse treatment representatives is happy to help and answer any of your questions. Give us a call at 267.209.7313.
