In a 2021 study, researchers discovered that 29.5 million people in the United States had an alcohol use disorder within the previous year. With its use and dangers being so common, one might think to ask, “Is alcohol a controlled substance?”
As you read through this article, you will discover discussions related to what a controlled substance is and why alcohol is not one. As you continue, you can learn more about the effects of alcohol on the body and how to deal with long-term alcohol abuse.
Is Alcohol a Controlled Substance
To start the discussion about alcohol and controlled substances, we must define what one is. This will help us have an understanding of the details moving forward.
What Is a Controlled Substance?
These are substances, often drugs, that the United States government has chosen to control the distribution of. This may be due to their potential for abuse or addiction, or because of other harm they might cause to the user.
Most controlled substances enter into a list of different categories in the USA. These categories make note of:
- The drug’s potential for medical use
- How likely it is people will use it for abuse
- How dependent people might become on the product
If people start to share controlled substances around, they will face strict legal consequences. These might include involving the police or other authorities.
What Makes Alcohol Consumption Different?
Alcohol’s effects are similar to many existing controlled substances, but the nature of alcohol in world culture is unique. Most people around the world accept alcohol use, and many age ranges for this practice are different depending on the country. People consider drinking alcohol to be the more “social” option, even doing so when other options are available.
Over time, alcohol has become much more normalized than illicit substances. This means that should it ever end up on the controlled substances list, there would be widespread disagreement.
Was Alcohol Ever on the Controlled Substances List?
Between the years of 1920 and 1933, the United States dabbled with the idea of prohibition. For many social and political reasons, the use of alcohol was banned through the creation of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Over this decade, the use of alcohol continued to flourish. Many unique and cunning methods for hiding alcohol use appeared, and the whole period is infamous for this creativity.
Soon, the 21st Amendment repealed the laws brought about by the 18th. Once again, people had the freedom to make, distribute, or imbibe alcohol.
Since 1933, there have been no hints of America returning to a position where it would consider adding alcohol back onto the list.
The Effects of Using Alcohol
Alcohol is known as a “depressant”. This means that it reduces the functions in the body’s nervous system, slowing down the speed at which impulses travel along it. This can end up reducing the arousal of bodily reactions and dulling any stimulation to the senses.
Short-Term Alcohol Use
After taking alcohol into their body, a person may feel several effects. In general, they may start to feel a “buzz”. This is a sense of euphoria and relaxation that has lent alcohol its powerful social presence over thousands of years.
With enough alcohol, though, more changes become pronounced and a person may start to have difficulty functioning. These effects may include:
- Reduced motor skills
- Slower reaction speed
- Slurred speech
- Impaired senses
- Decreased inhibitions
- Nausea and vomiting
- Memory loss
These are all socially accepted events that occur from the use of alcohol, and many jokes exist about them. Still, it is very important to treat them as the serious effects they are.
Long-Term Alcohol Use
Over time, alcohol can start to cause significant issues for a person on both a physical and mental health level. One of the most commonly understood problems is liver damage, as the liver must filter out alcohol from a person’s body more often. Still, other effects might include:
- Increased risk of cancer
- Reduced immune system strength
- Neurological damage
- Depression and anxiety
This list is not exhaustive, and many other effects can come from the overuse of alcohol over a long period.
How These Effects Might Affect Alcohol’s Rating
There are various negative effects of alcohol on the human body, both in the short and long term. Still, it is not likely to alter how people discuss alcohol in the near future.
Alcohol has far too high a level of acceptance in American culture. The alcohol industry may also lobby to prevent any changes to how often they can sell their products. Last of all, as the USA discovered in the 1920s, it is very hard to enforce prohibition and many consider the previous attempt a failure.
Solving the Danger of Alcohol Addiction
Despite alcohol not going anywhere any time soon, it is still important to understand how it can affect an individual. We recognize alcohol as a powerful force for good, but we also lift up a lot of media that shows the dangers of abuse and addiction. So, with this in mind, what can we do to help those who are suffering?
Recognizing Alcohol Addiction
People who take a lot of alcohol over time are very likely to build up a level of tolerance to the drug. As such, if you notice a specific person needs larger amounts of alcohol than otherwise, they may be in the throes of addiction.
Such people often start to neglect the rest of their life due to alcohol abuse. They may blackout during situations where they should be performing a responsibility. Another common situation is that others notice their drunkenness and start to withdraw.
If these situations continue to occur, and the person does not stop taking alcohol, they likely have an addiction.
Why Quitting Alcohol Can Be So Hard
Due to alcohol’s popularity in normal life, stopping drinking alcohol altogether can be very hard for some people. It can cause shunning from social groups, or consistent peer pressure. Over time, this can cause significant issues for people attempting to recover.
At the same time, withdrawal from alcohol abuse has a strong physical element to it. People end up suffering from insomnia, anxiety, tremors, or many other symptoms. This can reduce the likelihood they wish to seek treatment in the first place.
Offering support to people in this situation is often very important to encourage them to take the steps they need to get help.
Treating Alcohol Problems
There are many different methods for treating alcohol issues. People could seek out rehab, or they might want to go with counseling or group therapy. No matter which option they choose, the patient will need to take the first step.
While support and professional help are crucial in helping a person reach better health, they need to accept that there is a problem and act on it.
Recognizing the Problem
It is important to research and teach any alcohol abuser about the impact their situation is having on their life. Point out any changes in their relationships or personal life that have occurred since they started having the problem.
Be aware that many alcohol abusers tend toward denial. It may take some work to get them to recognize that it is a real issue. Although when they do, you can start the process of encouraging them to seek out professional help.
Withdrawal Management
When someone reduces the amount of alcohol they take, they are likely to start going through withdrawal. During this time, people will need medical supervision and support. If they are in a dedicated space for recovery, this can help by offering them experienced staff who can help them progress.
At the same time, a person about to go through withdrawal might want to think about how different medications might help them. Anti-nausea medication, for example, can assist in stopping any vomiting during such a period. Other options include anti-anxiety medication or antidepressants to stop such issues withdrawal causes.
Treatment Center Options
If considering a dedicated rehab or treatment center, you may find it useful to know that such places offer 24/7 medical supervision. This ensures people stay safe, even when in the throes of a bad withdrawal.
These locations also offer many other types of treatment, including:
- Counseling
- Group therapy
- Development of positive and useful habits
- Aftercare and relapse prevention
The staff also have training in how to deal with mental and physical issues associated with addiction. Thus, they can both help diagnose and treat other issues that may crop up alongside withdrawal.
Linking Up With Treatment Centers
Answering the question, “Is alcohol a controlled substance?”, may be simple. Still, it leads to many other questions that are not as easy to answer. This article should have resolved many of them so that you can think about how to deal with alcohol issues in those you may know and love.
If you want to know more about dealing with alcohol abuse, including details on our rehab center, give us a call. Our staff are more than happy to help you find a place for someone who truly needs it. So, give us a call today to learn more.
