Author: Alex Thompson

Alcohol use disorder Symptoms and causes

Alcohol consumption can have an impact not only on the incidence of diseases, injuries and other health conditions, but also on their outcomes and how these evolve over time. As individuals continue to drink alcohol over time, progressive changes may occur in the structure and function of their brains. These changes can compromise brain function and drive the transition from controlled, occasional use to chronic misuse, which can be difficult to control. The changes can endure long after a person stops consuming alcohol, and can contribute to relapse in drinking. A common initial treatment option for someone with an alcohol addiction is an outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation program.

When we drink alcohol, it triggers the release of other chemicals in the body that make us feel more content and less sensitive to pain. So, it is no surprise that once we start drinking, we often want to carry on. Alcohol addiction is a serious problem that can have lasting health effects. Knowing why alcohol is addictive, the types of drinkers, and how it affects the body can help people recognize when they may have an issue and take steps to address it. This question has no definitive answer since both can be addictive depending on the person. Some people may have difficulty controlling their alcohol consumption, while others may emotionally rely on certain types of food.

We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. If a person continues the pattern of drinking heavily to reach a familiar level, eventually, they will begin to not feel ‘normal’ without some alcohol.

Or a doctor could prescribe drugs to assist with other emotions common in recovery. If you’re worried that someone you know has an alcohol addiction, it’s best to approach them in a supportive way. This could push them away and make them more resistant to your help. Recognizing these health risks can encourage people to take the steps necessary to stop excessive drinking. Their brain registers the sensation, creating a craving for more. Gradually, this craving becomes habitual, resulting in automatic, unthinking repetition.

Most of us are aware of the dangers of alcohol and how addictive it can be. To answer the question, what makes alcohol so addictive, we must first answer how people become addicted in the first place. Unlike cocaine or heroin, alcohol is widely available and accepted in many cultures. It’s often at the center of social situations and closely linked to celebrations and enjoyment.

1. Examples of behavioral treatments are brief interventions and reinforcement approaches, treatments that build motivation and teach skills for coping and preventing a return to drinking, and mindfulness-based therapies.
2. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
3. Behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking.
4. Alcohol is a very simple chemical that can bring about big changes in the complex functions of the human brain.

Alcohol can damage the organs, disrupt communication between brain cells, and weaken your immune system. It affects mental health, increases the risk for certain cancers, and can cause addiction. It also increases the risk of injury and death due to impaired judgment. Preoccupation and anticipation of drinking characterize the last stage. It’s where psychological alcohol dependence becomes the primary driver of a person’s behavior.

What is an addiction?

This means they can be especially helpful to individuals at risk for relapse to drinking. Combined with medications and behavioral treatment provided by health care professionals, mutual-support groups can offer a valuable added layer of support. Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. The context of drinking plays an important role in the occurrence of alcohol-related harm, particularly as a result of alcohol intoxication.

Adverse health impacts and social harm from a given level and pattern of drinking are greater for poorer societies. Severity is based on the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms—mild (2–3 criteria), moderate (4–5 criteria), or severe (6 or more criteria). Typically, a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder doesn’t require any other type of diagnostic test.

Alcohol use disorder

Therapy is useful to help teach someone how to manage the stress of recovery and the skills needed to prevent a relapse. Also, a healthy diet can help undo damage alcohol may have done to the person’s health, like weight gain or loss. For example, antidepressants, if someone with an alcohol addiction were self-medicating to treat their depression.

They may wish to reduce their alcohol consumption to more moderate levels, rather stopping altogether. Too much alcohol can cause various physical health problems, including liver and heart disease, cancer, brain damage, and high blood pressure. It can also impair judgment, which increases the risk of injury and death. Societal factors include level of economic development, culture, social norms, availability of alcohol, and implementation and enforcement of alcohol policies.

How Bad is Alcohol for Your Body?

Behavioral treatments—also known as alcohol counseling, or talk therapy, and provided by licensed therapists—are aimed at changing drinking behavior. Examples of behavioral treatments are brief interventions and reinforcement approaches, treatments that build motivation and teach skills for coping and preventing a return to drinking, and mindfulness-based therapies. In order for treatment to work, the person with an alcohol addiction must want to get sober. These complications are reasons why it’s important to treat alcohol addiction early. Nearly all risks involved with alcohol addiction may be avoidable or treatable, with successful long-term recovery. As an addiction tends to get worse over time, it’s important to look for early warning signs.

How Does Alcohol Addiction Impact the Brain?

Alcoholism has been known by a variety of terms, including alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Someone with an alcohol addiction who has remained sober for months or years may find themselves drinking again. They may binge drink once or drink for a period of time before getting sober again. It’s important that the person get back on track and resume treatment. Regardless of the type of support system, it’s helpful to get involved in at least one when getting sober.

What are resources for treating alcoholism?

If you or a loved one are addicted to alcohol, take a look at your treatment options at The Recovery Village. To learn more about alcohol treatment options and search for quality care near you, please visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. A health care provider might ask the following questions to assess a person’s symptoms.

See your doctor if you begin to engage in behaviors that are signs of alcohol use disorder or if you think that you may have a problem with alcohol. You should also consider attending a local AA meeting or participating in a self-help program such as Women for Sobriety. You may need to seek treatment at an inpatient facility if your addiction to alcohol is severe.

An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person. If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.