How Alcohol Dependence Develops
Alcohol dependence can happen quite quickly. But it often happens after many years of heavy drinking.
Sometimes social drinking gradually becomes more frequent. Drinking more, until you can no longer control your drinking.
You might use alcohol to cope with problems or difficult times, until you can’t manage without it.
Not everyone who abuses alcohol is dependent on alcohol. Abusing alcohol can also affect your health and relationships.
What Is Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction can appear through many signs and symptoms.
If you feel like drinking is the only way to wind down or release stress, if you are unable to control how much you drink, or if you feel the need to drink more alcohol to achieve the buzz you need are all examples of being addicted.
Some addicts want to drink or catch a buzz before attending parties or events. They think this will help them socialize better. And if they cant drink ahead of time, they avoid going altogether.
Some who are dependent on alcohol find reasons to drink during the day or night, they feel withdrawal symptoms when trying to not drink, or they continue to drink even though it causes rifts in relationships or interferes with working and completing other responsibilities.
Alcohol abuse disorder develops over time, and it is the brain that encourages someone to become addicted.
Find New Meaning In Life
While getting sober is an important first step, it is only the beginning of your recovery from alcohol addiction or heavy drinking. Rehab or professional treatment can get you started on the road to recovery, but to stay alcohol-free for the long term, youll need to build a new, meaningful life where drinking no longer has a place.
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Evaluating The Costs And Benefits Of Drinking
Make a table like the one below, weighing the costs and benefits of drinking to the costs and benefits of quitting.
| Is drinking worth the cost? |
| Benefits of drinking |
|
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Does It Physically And Mentally Hurt If You Stop Drinking
Alcohol dependence is no joke. Headaches, tremors, nausea, anxiety, hallucinations, or seizures when you stop drinking mean your body cannot function without booze. Alcohol withdrawal can become unexpectedly severe in a matter of hours. It is important that you seek professional help and a medically supervised alcohol detox if you are dependent.
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The Controlled Substances Act
The Controlled Substances Act is a law that regulates legal and illegal drugs in the United States. Under the CSA, drugs are categorized into different schedules according to a drugs perceived danger and potential for dependence. For example, Heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug because of its illegal status and extremely addictive qualities. Legal medications on the other hand, such as over-the-counter Painkillers and cough Suppressants, are categorized as Schedule V because of their low chances for abuse.
The CSAs drug scheduling system exists for several reasons. In common cases, the system is used by judges to help them determine sentences for drug-related crimes. It is also helpful for medical professionals when writing prescriptions.
Break free from addiction.
Physical And Psychological Addiction To Alcohol
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. This is known as a psychological addiction because the act of drinking alcohol becomes habitual and they need it in order to feel good or like their normal selves. Physical addiction occurs once a person is unable to stop drinking without experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which include anxiety, shakiness, and on the more extreme end, seizures severe shaking, confusion, and hallucinations.
This physical and psychological addiction stems from the effect that alcohol has on the brain. In a 2012 study, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that drinking alcohol releases endorphins in two areas of the brain that are associated with reward processing. This study also concluded that people who identified as heavy drinkers had a higher release of these feel good chemicals.
Related Topic: Is Alcohol a Drug
That is truly the core of why alcohol is so addictive. It hits, at the chemical level, multiple areas in the brain. And it hits at a psychological level, leaving the person unable to function without it. As weve discussed, the higher tolerance makes the high that is achieved from this endorphin release and from the different psychological triggers exceedingly difficult to achieve and, unfortunately, alcoholism follows.
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Understanding Alcohol Use Disorders And Their Treatment
People with alcohol use disorders drink to excess, endangering both themselves and others. This question-and-answer fact sheet explains alcohol problems and how psychologists can help people recover.
Understanding alcohol use disorders and their treatment.
For many people, drinking alcohol is nothing more than a pleasant way to relax. People with alcohol use disorders, however, drink to excess, endangering both themselves and others. This question-and-answer fact sheet explains alcohol problems and how psychologists can help people recover.
What Are Some Signs That I Might Be An Alcoholic
Now that youre open to the idea that alcoholism can affect you, lets consider what an alcoholic before rock bottom looks like.
Multiple signs indicate an alcohol problem. Take an honest, sober assessment of your life. Perhaps have a friend or family member help you because it is easy to fall into the trap of self-deception.
If three or more of these signs match what you are going through, you need to find help. Similar to any other disease, the sooner you catch alcoholism, the better.
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How Long Does It Take To Develop Alcohol Dependence
Drinking alcohol is ingrained in modern culture in many countries around the world. Its a way to socialize, relax, and celebrate.
To quote the fictional TV cartoon character, Homer Simpson, To alcohol, the cause of and solution to all lifes problems. The joke is a reflection of what most people think that social drinking is harmless. Yes, as long as youre responsible about alcohol consumption, it cant do any damage.
But do you know how long does it take to develop alcohol dependence? When does occasional social alcohol consumption turn into problematic alcoholism?
In this article, well take an in-depth look at the journey from social drinking to full-blown alcoholism and learn things like:
- How are people affected by alcoholism?
- How much alcohol is actually in your drink?
- How much alcohol is considered too much?
- How long does it take to get addicted to alcohol?
- Who is at risk of developing alcoholism?
Tips To Prevent Alcohol Addiction
Addiction to alcohol can be very costly. It can also cause you possible legal problems and may cost your job, your friends and family, and even your life if not prevented. Preventing alcohol addiction is a moderately challenging task. Anyone can do it as long as you have patience, determination, and most importantly, faith in yourself before you join any addiction treatment center.
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Getting Help With Alcohol Addiction
The first step to getting help for addiction is recognising the problem. If you think you might be addicted to alcohol, its important to visit your GP to talk about a referral to a psychologist or other specialist service.
Some of the services you can access for more information include:
Group therapy and drug therapy are other options.
ReachOut NextStep is a tool that will give you personalised tips and help, and will connect you to useful info and services.
How Addictions Can Affect You
The strain of managing an addiction can seriously damage your work life and relationships. In the case of substance misuse , an addiction can have serious psychological and physical effects.
Some studies suggest a person’s risk of becoming addicted is partly genetic, but environmental factors, such as being around other people with addictions, are also thought to increase the risk.
Behaviours such as substance misuse can be a way of blocking out difficult issues. Unemployment and poverty can trigger addiction, along with stress and emotional or professional pressure.
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When Should Someone Seek Help
Individuals often hide their drinking or deny they have a problem. How can you tell if you or someone you know is in trouble? Signs of a possible problem include having friends or relatives express concern, being annoyed when people criticize your drinking, feeling guilty about your drinking and thinking that you should cut down but finding yourself unable to do so, or needing a morning drink to steady your nerves or relieve a hangover.
Some people with drinking problems work hard to resolve them. With the support of family members or friends, these individuals are often able to recover on their own. However, those with alcohol dependence usually can’t stop drinking through willpower alone. Many need outside help. They may need medically supervised detoxification to avoid potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures. Once people are stabilized, they may need help resolving psychological issues associated with problem drinking.
There are several approaches available for treating alcohol problems. No one approach is best for all individuals.
Alcoholism Symptoms And Warning Signs
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Is Your Alcohol Consumption Developing Into A Life
1) Increased ToleranceA clear sign of alcoholism is developing an increased tolerance, or the ability to consume increasing amounts of alcohol without feeling the effects. High tolerance or being able to drink more than you used to , means your body is exposed to alcohol regularly enough that it has adapted to cope with it better. This is a sign that you are drinking too much. Its an indicatoryou should seek treatment.
2) Inability to Control ConsumptionAnother clear sign you have a problem is telling yourself that youre not going to drink or only planning one or two drinks but then drinking despite these promises. Alcohol should not be consumed at particular times or settings . Every time you do something like this you run the risk of serious consequences. Regularly taking those risks strongly implies that alcohol is the main priority in your life. If you are unable to refrain from drinking when you know you should not drink, that lack of control says you need help.
7) Experiencing BlackoutsDrinking so much that you have no memory of what happened is another red flag for a problem with alcohol. Simply put, it means you drank way too much. In these blackout sessions, youre capable of causing harm to yourself and others due to severely impaired judgment. If you experience a blackout due to your drinking, its time to look into treatment.
If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone you love, we can help. Recognizing you need help is a vitally important first step.
Why Are You Drinking
Analyze your reasons as well as the events that lead you to addiction. Keep in mind that alcohol should never be used as a means to relieve stress or any other emotional reasons. You should not drink in order to cope up with a stressful situation. Drinking due to emotional reasons is a good cause of psychological dependence on the substance.
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How Common Is Alcoholism
Alcohol use disorders are more common than may be imagined. Notes Psychology Today, studies have revealed that 29.1 percent of the US population has experienced an alcohol use disorder at some point in their lifetime. Within a 12-month period, approximately 13.9 percent of the US population experiences an alcohol use disorder. About 19.8 percent of the adults who have experienced an alcohol use disorder in their lifetime seek treatment or ask for help at some point.
As Psychology Today points out, about 75 percent of the alcohol that Americans drink occurs in the form of binge drinking. The symptoms of binge drinking include blackouts and memory lapses. Over time, a chronic binge drinker can develop serious liver damage and/or brain damage.
A lesser-known but just as severe consequence is cardiovascular disease. This disease can arise because a high volume of alcohol causes stress on the heart, leading to heart attack or stroke.
Who Uses And Who Abuses Alcohol
The 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 86% of American adults have drunk alcohol at some point in their lives. By the age of 15, up to 30% of American adolescents have already tried alcohol.
Some people may successfully limit their alcohol use to an occasional drink or social drinking. Medical advice and national dietary guidelines encourage adults to drink alcohol in moderation: up to 1 drink a day for women and up to 2 drinks a day for men.
Other people may be unable to drink alcohol without abusing it. These individuals may be referred to as binge drinkers or heavy drinkers. Binge drinking is defined as 4 or more drinks for women and 5 or more drinks for men on any occasion.
Heavy alcohol use, defined as binge drinking 5 or more days a month, puts you at risk of developing alcoholism. More than 33% of American adults and nearly 15% of American adolescents binge drink or drink heavily.
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Addicted To Alcohol And The Path From Problem Drinking
But isnt this how most people start on the alcohol path. Not really liking it but not wanting to feel left out. Drinking to be a part of the cool gang. This is how the drug gets you! It seems such a crazy notion that you could ever get hooked on this filth that you dont even entertain it.
But you see that guy slumped in the park swigging booze out of a brown paper bag or your aunty Jean who always gets drunk family parties and ends up dancing on the tables until she falls off and hurts herself?
Before they got addicted to alcohol, they all started out the exact same way!
There was a point where they were in control and then that changed. No notice, no expectation, it just happened one day.
Alcohol Dependence Can Contribute To Mental Health Problems
Anxiety, depression and suicidal feelings can all develop when youre alcohol dependent. This is because regular, heavy drinking interferes with neurotransmitters in our brains that are needed for good mental health.
Being dependent on alcohol can affect your relationships with your partner, family and friends. It might mean you dont perform so well at work and if that continues for any length of time you could face losing your job, leading to financial problems as well. These issues can also contribute to depression and anxiety. Alcohol can also make you more aggressive. If you use alcohol to try and improve your mood, you may be starting a vicious cycle.
If you think your mental health is suffering because of your drinking, but you feel youre not able to stop, ask for professional help. Start with a visit to your GP or by contacting one of the organisations listed at the end of this page.
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Biological Factors And Genetics/family History
Extensive research has shown a link between alcoholism and biology .
Some individuals will be able to limit the amount of alcohol that they drink, whereas some others will feel a stronger impulse to keep going. This would signify an issue with alcohol.
Alcohol gives off feelings of pleasure, which encourages the brain to keep repeating the behaviour as it expects rewards. People who repeat the behaviour to get the pleasure, especially at an early age, become prone to developing alcoholism dependencies.
It has also been discovered that there are certain chemicals in the brain that can make certain people more susceptible to alcohol abuse in the first place.
Scientists have found 51 genes within various chromosome regions that can be passed down through the generations which indicates that some family members might be more liable to addiction.
Getting Help For Alcohol Or Other Drug Dependence
If you think that you or someone close to you has an alcohol or other drug problem, speak first with your local doctor or call DirectLine, on .
DirectLine is a 24-hour-a-day information and advice line that is free, anonymous and confidential. You can talk to a professional counsellor who is experienced in alcohol and drug-related matters, and they can start you on the right track.
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Signs Of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse is defined as any use that causes negative consequences to the user. Alcoholism symptoms can encompass health effects, such as bad hangovers and alcohol-induced accidents, as well as social effects, such as doing or saying regrettable things while intoxicated. Just because someone abuses alcohol does not mean they are dependent on or addicted to alcohol, but it is generally the first step towards the development of an issue later.
Binge drinking and alcohol abuse can start in the teenage years or even earlier, though adults and the elderly may pick up the habit too.
Alcoholism often begins in a persons early 20s and is characterized by frequent heavy drinking. This behavior leads to an increased tolerance to alcohol and eventually presents social and health problems. Recognizing when someone you care about is abusing alcohol can help you determine if they need help.
Some of the signs of alcohol intoxication include:
- Slurred speech
- Glassy or blank stares
