Many people ask, “Is alcohol a drug?” The answer is obvious for some people, but others aren’t sure. It’s important to learn more about this drug to understand why it’s dangerous. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself.
Is Alcohol a Drug?
Yes, is the answer to the question, “Is alcohol a drug?” However, simply knowing that alcohol is a drug isn’t enough. People need to know what kind of drug it is and how it interacts with the body.
Alcohol belongs to the depressants drug class. Learning that it’s a depressant is a shock to most people. In fact, some people think of alcohol as a stimulant because they become outgoing after a few drinks. Actually, it’s the effects of the depressant that make them relax and let loose.
However, drinking too much alcohol often causes depression. People who overdrink become emotional and sad. Once again, this outcome is the result of the alcohol.
Is Alcohol Really That Dangerous?
Is alcohol a drug? Yes, it is, but is it really that dangerous? After all, people can walk into nearly any store and a grab a drink. If it’s so dangerous, why isn’t it banned like other drugs?
Despite the fact that people can easily get alcohol, it’s still a dangerous drug. It leads to the deaths of over 100,000 people in North America every year. To make matters worse, a large majority of these deaths are young teens. Studies show that alcohol is the drug of choice for people between the ages of 12 and 17.
Alcohol makes people engage in risky behavior. The leading cause of alcohol-related death in teenagers comes from driving while under the influence. Teens and adults are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex.
Alcohol abuse causes many problems at school and work too. Additionally, people who drink too much often have relationship problems as well.
Health Problems
Of course, alcohol does more than just affect people’s daily lives. Drinking heavily puts their health at risk. Long-term drinking can damage the brain, nervous system, heart, and liver. It can also cause health issues such as:
- Sexual problems
- Stomach problems
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Mental health issues
Fight Back Against Alcohol Abuse
At Woodlands Recovery Centers, we help people fight back against alcohol abuse and addiction. We provide the tools that they need to get their lives under control. In fact, we create custom treatment plans to meet their unique needs. Some programs that we offer include:
- Alcohol detox
- Experiential therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Family therapy
- Individual and group therapy
Don’t attempt to take on this challenge alone. Let us help you down the path to sobriety and teach you what it takes to overcome alcohol addiction. Reach out to us today at (855)752-3377.
