Alcohol (ethanol) is an ingredient commonly found in drinks like ale, beer, wine, and spirits that causes intoxication or drunkenness.
As an acclaimed Stuart rehab center, we know that binge drinking or drinking excessively can cause numerous problems. Alcohol is considered a sedative, meaning it depresses the central nervous system in high doses or acts as a stimulant in lower doses. Drinking too much can cause side effects ranging from euphoria to coma. If you’ve ever had too much to drink or are in recovery from alcoholism, then you may have also experienced neck and shoulder pain after drinking alcohol before. But do you know why?
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Reasons Why You Experience Neck and Shoulder Pain After Drinking Alcohol
Drinking can lead to a variety of detrimental physical effects, including the combination of alcohol and neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, chest pain, and so on. This discomfort is caused by a mix of the direct and indirect effects that alcohol has on the body. We'll examine the subtleties of how drinking alcohol might cause this discomfort, from its effect on muscle tension to its ability to set off inflammatory responses. We'll also discuss issues like pre-existing pain syndromes and alcohol-induced neuropathy to give you a thorough explanation of why these particular places could experience difficulty after drinking alcohol.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a common side effect of drinking too much alcohol. Not only may the person forget to drink water, but alcohol itself also dehydrates the body. Drinking reduces the production of an antidiuretic hormone called vasopressin. “Antidiuretic” basically means that it helps the body hold onto water. When a person drinks too much, they suppress vasopressin, resulting in dehydration. But what does this have to do with your neck? Well, between each vertebra in your neck is a disc that absorbs any impact and movement and reduces stress. Each of these discs is made out of a gel-like material that becomes stiff when a person is dehydrated, which is why back and neck pain after drinking alcohol is so common.
Sleep Position
Drinking too much alcohol depresses the central nervous system, often causing a person to fall asleep or even lose consciousness. Neck and back pain from alcohol is common simply because these individuals may fall asleep in an uncomfortable position.
In 2015, between 15 and 20 million Americans were affected by alcohol use disorder.1 Alcohol abuse is not a joke and should not be taken lightly. If you struggle with alcoholism, a stiff neck is the least of your worries. At Banyan Treatment Centers Stuart, we offer alcohol detox in Florida that serves as the first step of recovery for people battling alcoholism. Individuals who want to quit drinking and change their lives for the better can begin their recovery journey with us.
Alcohol Myopathy
Alcohol myopathy is common in people with alcohol addictions. It’s estimated that 20 out of every 100,000 people in the Western Hemisphere suffer from this condition, which equates to roughly 40 to 60 percent of all chronic alcoholics in the U.S.2 Myopathy is a condition that causes loss of muscle strength and function. Alcoholic myopathy is muscle loss and dysfunction caused by long-term drinking. It can either be a chronic condition or occur after the individual drinks alcohol. Although the causes of alcoholic myopathy are unclear, healthcare professionals and researchers believe alcohol affects the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Some common side effects of this condition include muscle cramping, stiffness, spasms, and pain.
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Lymph Node Pain
Having painful lymph nodes after drinking alcohol can also cause neck pain. Lymph nodes are immune system glands that are located in various areas of the body, including the armpits, chest, stomach, groin, and neck. When lymph nodes detect bacteria or infection, they become swollen and irritated, which can cause pain. Cervical lymph nodes are located in the neck. When a person drinks too much alcohol, blood vessels dilate, activating the release of lymph fluid in the body. Because alcohol is a diuretic, drinking too much also causes the kidneys to release more fluids. Cervical lymph nodes may swell as a reaction to excessive amounts of alcohol, causing pain.
Nervous System Effects
Alcohol's effects on the central nervous system can have a variety of negative impacts on posture and muscle control. Alcohol can result in decreased muscular tone and coordination because it alters neurotransmitter levels. This may lead to alterations in posture and maybe stiff or strained muscles in the neck and shoulders. It's possible that the body's capacity to maintain adequate alignment and support is impaired, which adds to the discomfort and agony in these regions.
Alcohol and Existing Pain Conditions
Alcohol can greatly exacerbate pain when it is consumed by a body that already has neck or shoulder problems, such as a strain, sprain, or persistent stress. While the effects of alcohol as a muscle relaxer offer a momentary reprieve, they might unintentionally make already fragile or stressed areas more vulnerable. This dynamic sets up the ideal environment for increased pain, which could result in more pronounced and enduring discomfort in the neck and shoulders. It's imperative for people who already have musculoskeletal issues to drink alcohol with caution and moderation because its effects can dramatically affect their current pain management techniques.
Alcohol-Induced Neuropathy
A complex and crippling disorder defined by nerve injury, neuropathy can be brought on by long-term and heavy alcohol use. Alcohol's poisonous effects are most harmful to the vulnerable peripheral nerves, which are in charge of sending and receiving vital signals to and from the extremities. This causes a series of uncomfortable sensations, such as discomfort, tingling, and numbness. Additionally, this neuropathic discomfort may appear in unanticipated locations, such as the neck and shoulders. This phenomenon results from the complex neural network that crisscrosses the entire body. It is important to address alcohol-induced neuropathy as soon as possible because it can be a persistent condition that has a negative influence on a person's quality of life and may even be permanent.
Frequent neck pain or shoulder pain after drinking is only one of the signs of alcoholism. Excessive drinking can cause a lot more than bodily discomfort that can be distracting and may even trigger the individual to consume more alcohol as an outlet. The more alcohol a person drinks, the more tolerant they become and the more likely they are to develop an addiction. Those who have become physically dependent on alcohol often require formal alcohol addiction treatment in order to quit and stay sober.
Whether you’re struggling with alcohol or know someone who is, we can help. Call Banyan Stuart now at 888-280-2360 for more information about the levels of addiction care we offer at our Florida rehabs.
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