Effects of Alcohol on the Mind

Alcohol can have a variety of effects on the mind, which can cause changes in behavior, impair reaction time and affect the quality of sleep. According to DrinkAware.co.uk, alcohol consumption can also lead to mental health issues. The severity of the effects that the alcohol has on the brain generally depend on the amount of alcohol consumed, as well as the individual's history of drinking alcohol.

Emotions

• Drinking a small amount of alcohol in moderation--such as one or two units of alcohol in a day--can often bring about feelings of happiness, increased confidence and relaxation. According to chemCases.com if a person continues to consume alcohol after this point, he is more likely to experience a range of exaggerated emotions and may even become aggressive or violent. These effects can cause the individual's behavior to change, and he may say and do things which he usually wouldn't.

Sleeping Patterns

• Although some people find that consuming alcohol can help them sleep at night, according to Bupa.co.uk, people who drink alcohol within an hour prior of going to sleep will experience low-quality sleep. They are also more likely to wake at some point during the night, and they may then find it difficult to get back to sleep again.

Slowed Reactions

• Alcohol affects the mind by slowing it down. This will affect the individual's ability to drive a car safely due to a decrease in alertness, and an extended reaction time. According to DrinkAware.co.uk, people who have been drinking the night before can continue to experience a slowed mind even after the bloodstream is free of alcohol.

Mental Health

• Heavy drinking can cause changes in brain chemistry, which can lead to a range of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. People who become alcohol dependent can develop phobias including a fear of going outside. According to DrinkAware, self harm and suicide are often linked to alcohol consumption and alcoholism. Drinking to excess can also cause loss of memory and psychosis: a serious mental illness that causes the sufferer to hallucinate and lose touch with reality.