Alcohol addiction… alcoholism… alcohol use disorder…. These are all common terms used to refer to the chronic mental health condition. Alcohol use disorder causes people to be dependent on alcohol, which affects their everyday life. It can be hard to define alcoholism because there are a variety of severities. Also, it affects people differently, and the reason it occurs varies from person to person. However, there is one thing that remains constant: its effect on an individual’s life and health if you do not seek help from an alcohol rehab center.
Alcohol addiction is the repeated, chronic use of alcohol despite negative consequences. It affects about 17.6 million adults in the United States over the age 18, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). People who suffer from alcoholism are not able to control their need for alcohol, even when it causes serious problems in their lives.
Like many addictive substances, alcohol affects the reward center in our brains. It can affect certain individuals to an extent where their brains become re-wired to desire alcohol. The susceptibility for addiction can depend on a variety of factors. Understanding alcohol use disorder criteria requires breaking down the biological and social factors.
Biological Causes
Many factors have been proposed as causes of alcoholism, but the biological role of alcohol has not been widely discussed. There are numerous biological effects that can occur from alcohol consumption, which affect both brain and body. Some of these side effects can lead to alcoholism and increase the desire for more alcohol.
Alcohol can affect the brain in different ways. The most obvious effect of alcohol is to reduce inhibition through its actions on the frontal lobes. This results in an increased desire for more alcohol because, by reducing inhibition, one feels less uptight about setting out on a drinking binge.
Another way that alcohol negatively affects the brain is by reducing the rate at which information is processed. This slows down one’s reaction time and leads to errors such as poor coordination and impaired judgment.
Social Causes
The environment a person grows up in drastically impacts their decisions later in life. If an individual grows up with parents who drink regularly, they may believe excessive drinking is normal behavior.
Many people view drinking as a regular part of American society. In fact, in certain social circles, drinking regularly is seen as normal. Therefore, individuals who are surrounded by drinking (or drug use in general) are vulnerable to becoming addicted themselves later in life.
Signs of Alcoholism
To fully know if you or a loved one needs professional help, talk to a doctor. He/she will assess whether or not you actually have a disorder, if you need to cut back on drinking, or if the drinking is normal. If you are unsure whether or not a person has an alcohol use disorder, here are some common things to look for:
Effects of Alcohol Addiction
Health effects of alcohol
Alcohol causes a range of health effects. Short-term side effects of alcohol abuse include alcohol poisoning and blacking out. Long-term health effects of alcohol include depression, anxiety and a variety of diseases and disorders.
Social Effects of Alcohol
Friends and family members of alcoholics also face the consequences of their loved one’s disease. Alcohol addiction causes legal, financial and relationship problems. Alcoholics often struggle to have healthy relationships with loved ones.
Risks of Mixing Alcohol
Some people with an alcohol addiction mix the substance with other drugs. But alcohol can cause dangerous interactions with over-the-counter drugs and some everyday substances, such as caffeine. When people mix alcohol with illicit or prescription drugs, the interactions can be life-threatening.
Is it Possible to Reverse the Damage?
Everyone is different, and generally the longer the drinking, the longer it takes to reverse the damage. However, it’s possible to reverse much of the damage caused by excessive drinking. Studies show that abstaining from alcohol for several months can show significant structural changes in the brain that can help improve overall thinking and problem-solving skills as well as memory and attention improvements. Other studies have shown that damage to the liver can be improved in as little as six weeks from abstinence. Other health benefits can include:
- Better sleep
- Improved memory function
- More energy
- Better digestion
- Clearer skin
- Better digestion
- More hydration in the body
- Increased mental focus
- Clarity and less brain fog
- Reduced risk of heart disease or breast cancer
- Increased absorption of vitamins and minerals
- Better immune system
- Weight loss due to less caloric intake
People with mild alcohol problems may be able to quit drinking on their own or with the help of support groups. However, people addicted to alcohol should look into a minimum of 30-day treatment. Recovery from alcohol addiction is achievable with assistance from doctors, therapists, peers, friends and family members.
For more information about alcohol addiction treatment, call Coalition Recovery today at 888.707.2873. We can help you or a loved get on the path to recovery.
