What is Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol abuse, alcoholism, alcohol dependence, and alcohol use disorder, is a medical condition that involves problems associated with controlled drinking. Affecting people from all walks of life, alcohol addiction disturbs brain function and creates sensations like euphoria, relaxation, and loss of inhibitions.
Alcohol abuse occurs when a person has no control over his cravings and dependence on alcohol. For example, a person who typically relies on alcohol cannot stay sober for an extended period of time. The alcoholics continue drinking even when it causes problems such as emotional distress, loss of employment, broken relationships, and physical harm.
Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate, and severe, depending on the individual’s drinking habits and the signs they experience. In the UK, a data study shows that there were 8974 alcohol-specific deaths in 2020, which is an 18.6% increase from 2019. However, alcohol addiction treatment can support.
Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
Unlike other addictions, alcohol addiction is hard to recognize. It is because of the social acceptance, and frequent use in celebrations and as a part of the enjoyment. Since alcohol consumption is so typical in society, it becomes tough to pinpoint someone who likes to have a few drinks on the weekend or has a real problem. Some of the symptoms of alcohol addiction are:
- Frequent hangovers
- Blackouts
- Obsession with alcohol
- Drinking more than usual
- High alcohol tolerance
- Hiding alcohol
- Emotional distress
- Eating poorly
- Making excuses to drink
- Violent behaviour
- Feeling irritable or cranky
- Giving up or reducing social activities
- Taking rash decisions after drinking such as driving or getting in a fight
- Avoids contact with loved ones
- Legal or professional problems
These early warning signs can be helpful to treat someone on a verge of alcohol addiction. Also, people with alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk and symptoms of withdrawal, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Shakiness
- Restlessness
- Coma and death
- Racing heart
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Trouble sleeping
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
- Seizures
What Causes Alcohol Addiction?
The causes of alcohol addiction are still unknown. However, genetic, psychological, physiological, and social factors collectively contribute to having the disease. While some alcohol abusers are affected by psychological factors such as impulsiveness and low self-esteem, others can start drinking to overcome peer pressure, sexual abuse, or relieve emotional pain.
Also, when a person tends to drink regularly and excessively, it disturbs the neurochemistry of the brain and induces pleasurable feelings. Eventually, the pleasurable feelings fade away, and the person with alcohol abuse drinks frequently in order to experience the same feeling again.
In addition, people are more likely to develop alcohol addiction, if they:
- experienced any kind of trauma
- Family history of alcohol abuse
- Have mental health issues
- Consume alcohol more often
- As a result of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
Health Complications associated with Alcoholism
Alcohol addiction can cause heart and liver disease, which can be fatal. Alcoholism also causes certain health complications, such as:
- Bone loss
- Vision problems
- Diabetes
- Ulcers
- Birth defects
- Sexual problems
- Suppressed immune function
- Increased risk of cancer
Also, alcohol abuse not only affects the person doing it but also puts others at risk. According to a report, drunk driving caused 1300 serious accidents involving a drunk driver in 2019 alone. Alcohol abuse also gives rise to incidents like domestic abuse, suicides, and homicides. These complications are crucial enough to take a step towards alcohol addiction treatment in the early stages.
If you are concerned about a loved one or a colleague at the office who is struggling with alcohol use disorder, ask them to seek help and visit the nearest alcohol addiction centres today!
Alcohol Abuse Recovery Options
Recovery from alcohol addiction requires a lifetime commitment. It includes determination, daily care, a desire to get better and want for a healthy life. Forced decisions won’t work in case of alcohol abuse and the withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous, hence, the person with alcohol abuse must be willing to get sober. While there are multiple ways of alcohol addiction treatment available, the three most-common practices include:
Rehabilitation Centre
People with severe alcohol addiction can visit alcohol rehab for treatment. In the alcohol rehab, outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation program is advised for alcohol abusers, depending on the severity. Unlike the inpatient program, where alcohol abusers stay at the centre and learn to incorporate sobriety into their daily life, in an outpatient program, the alcohol abusers have to visit the centre for daily activities and sessions but are allowed to live at home.
Support Groups
Someone with an alcohol addiction may also benefit from Support Groups, such as the 12-step model like Alcohol Anonymous (AA) and others such as SMART Recovery and Sober Recovery (who don’t follow the 12-step program).
In these support programs, different people experiencing the same issues sit together in the meetings and share their experiences, to build healthier friendships. Sober communities thus help someone struggling with alcohol addiction by making them deal with their own challenges and push them to live life with sobriety. Also, these communities provide alcohol abusers with a place to turn if there is a relapse.
Medications
Doctors may prescribe drugs in certain conditions to fight alcohol addiction. For example, anti-depressants are prescribed when a person is self-medicating to recover from alcohol abuse or dealing with heightened emotions during recovery.
On the other hand, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two drugs for alcohol addiction treatment including Naltrexone and Acamprosate. These medications help to decrease the obsessional thinking about Alcohol.
Get Rid of Alcohol Abuse
We understand how relapses happen so quickly, while you are trying everything to quit drinking. But a relapse doesn’t indicate failure as long as you want to get back on track and resume treatment. The recovery depends on the outlook of the person affected by the problem. While personal determination and courage are significant, support from family and friends is helpful for a complete and quick recovery.
Also, early alcohol addiction treatment is the most effective. Addictions that have gone longer than a year or decade are hard to break, but it doesn’t mean they cannot be treated. Ultimately, attaining sobriety is the responsibility of a person struggling with alcohol addiction. As a loved one of someone, you must ensure that they stay away from destructive behaviours and maintain appropriate boundaries in a dangerous situation.
For more assistance or help, you can always contact alcohol treatment centres in the UK.
