Or a doctor could prescribe drugs to assist with other emotions common in recovery. 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. When a person continually takes alcohol with their medications, they may become addicted to the effects that follow – some of which have the capability to be very dangerous and even life-threatening.
- Brain structures can shift as well, particularly in the frontal lobes, which are key for planning, making decisions, and regulating emotions.
- Childhood trauma can fuel problematic drinking in adulthood, because the person might use alcohol to cope with feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, loneliness, or grief.
- A urine test can detect alcohol for hours and even more than 72 hours after excessive alcohol drinking.
- Taking charge of your well-being, each step toward a sober existence becomes a stride toward a healthier, happier, and more resilient version of yourself.
However, the other side of the coin is the social aspects of alcohol addiction. Other than the brain telling someone he or she needs alcohol, why does someone drink? Surely each individual drinker has individual reasoning, but the following are some typical social reasons people become addicted to alcohol. Although there are many risks to drinking alcohol, there also may be some benefits of moderate drinking. That means no more than two drinks a day for men and no more than one drink a day for women. (A drink is defined as 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1½ ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.) Moderate drinking appears to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other circulatory diseases.
Treatment Options for Alcohol Misuse & Addiction
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. Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or other mental health issues can increase the risk of alcoholism. It’s easy to turn to alcohol when a person is feeling anxious or depressed – and the effects of alcohol may seem to temporarily ease those feelings. This can resort to drinking more and more, leading to alcohol addiction.
Withdrawal symptoms are those that occur when a person tries to stop using a substance. People with substance use disorder struggle to stop using the substance and often experience painful physical or psychological symptoms when they try to. Alcohol provides a sense of numbness and release that make it a powerful (albeit temporary) escape from stress.
Alcohol
Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal. Find out how to use empowering questions to cultivate a healthier relationship with alcohol. Discover the transformative benefits of outpatient substance abuse treatment.
If too much alcohol is harmful but some is beneficial, how do you decide how much is okay? The risks that come with drinking alcohol frequently outweigh the benefits. If you drink, do so in moderation—no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. People drink because their friends, coworkers, and family are drinking. Therein lies the problem; Drinking produces a sort of “high” that we begin craving. Whether it’s the feeling of fitting in, being the center of attention, forgetting about their problems for a while, or simply numbing any pain you feel, those feelings can become addictive.
Physical Factors and Alcohol Addiction
While genetics is not the only factor that leads to alcoholism, it does have a lot of influence. Delirium tremens is a symptom of severe alcohol withdrawal that can be potentially fatal. Contact emergency services immediately if you experience symptoms such as fever, involuntary muscle contractions, seizures, delusions, hallucinations, or rapid mood swings as you withdraw from alcohol. This included why is alcohol addicting people who engaged in excessive drinking and binge drinking. However, the study did find that people who engaged in binge drinking more often were also more likely to be alcohol dependent. This genetic choreography suggests that while your genes affect how your brain develops, which genes are turned on or off when you are learning new things is dynamic and adapts to suit your daily needs.
