Alcohol addiction
Table of Contents
Alcohol is found in different forms all over the world, from tequila in Mexico to Sake in Japan. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over 2 billion consumers of alcohol worldwide. Although some religions and cultures prohibit alcohol consumption, others openly encourage social drinking. Besides religious and cultural concerns, irresponsible alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol addiction marked by compulsive drinking.
In this article, we will discuss alcohol addiction, its causes, symptoms, effects and treatment.
Alcohol Addiction and AUD
Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that lowers a person’s inhibitions and affects their mood. Its ability to produce pleasurable feelings and dull unpleasant ones makes it particularly subject to misuse.
Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is the inability to control alcohol consumption due to a dependence on alcohol. A person with this addiction experiences negative feelings when alcohol is absent and continues drinking in spite of the harmful impacts.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a disorder characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol consumption despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It encompasses conditions such as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, and alcohol addiction.
Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
Some of the signs of alcohol addiction include:
- Uncontrollable craving for alcohol.
- Drinking more than intended.
- Unsuccessful attempts to stop unhealthy drinking habits.
- Higher alcohol tolerance.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when abstaining from alcohol.
- Neglecting obligations to indulge in alcohol consumption.
- Continuing to drink despite health consequences.
Stages of Alcohol Addiction
Some of the signs of alcohol addiction include:
- Uncontrollable craving for alcohol.
- Negative Affect/Withdrawal Stage
- Preoccupation/Anticipation Stage
Binge / Intoxication Stage
During this stage, a person experiences the rewarding effects of alcohol, such as euphoria, reduction of anxiety, and easing of social interactions. They engage in repeated alcohol consumption which causes changes to the basal ganglia (the part of the brain responsible for habit formation), ultimately contributing to compulsive use.
Negative Affect / Withdrawal Stage
This stage occurs when a person addicted to alcohol stops drinking. They experience withdrawal symptoms opposite to the effects of alcohol experienced when drinking. These symptoms can be physical (sleep disturbances, pain, feelings of illness) and emotional (irritability, anxiety, and emotional pain).
At this stage, the person no longer drinks alcohol for the pleasurable effects, but rather to escape the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Preoccupation / Anticipation Stage
During this stage, the individual seeks alcohol again after a period of abstinence. They become preoccupied with alcohol, planning how to get more of it and looking forward to the next time they will consume it.
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Risk Factors for Alcohol Addiction
There are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing alcohol addiction.
Some of these risk factors include:
These include genetics (a family history of alcoholism) and physiology (a person’s ability to control their impulses).
Factors such as the prevalence of alcohol advertisements and the availability of alcohol have been shown to play a role in encouraging regular alcohol consumption.
A person’s culture, religion and stage of life may also influence their outlook on alcohol consumption. Children exposed to alcohol abuse at an early age are at risk of developing similarly dangerous patterns.
People with high stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions are more vulnerable to developing alcoholism. This is because they may use alcohol to suppress their feelings or relieve their symptoms.
Negative Effects of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol use disorder has different negative effects on a person’s health and, some of these are:
- Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the heart leading to problems like Cardiomyopathy, Arrhythmia, Stroke and High Blood Pressure.
- It can cause liver problems such as Steatosis (fatty liver), Alcoholic hepatitis, Fibrosis and Cirrhosis.
- It can lead to pancreatitis which is a dangerous inflammation of the blood vessels in the pancreas that prevents proper digestion.
- Research has established a link between alcohol consumption and a number of types of cancer including; Head and neck cancer, Esophageal cancer, Liver cancer, Breast cancer and Colorectal cancer.
- Excessive drinking can also weaken a person’s immune system.
- Alcohol-induced nutrient deficiencies can lead to brain damage.
Effects of Alcohol Addiction on Behavior
Excessive alcohol consumption has several negative effects such as:
- Slurred speech
- Motor impairment
- Alcohol-induced blackouts
- Tendency to exhibit risky or violent behavior
Diagnosis of Alcohol Addiction
Although there is no diagnosis for alcohol addiction or alcoholism, the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) lists the criteria for AUD with classifications of mild, moderate and severe.
The DSM-5 lists the symptoms a patient with AUD may exhibit to help healthcare professionals assess and properly diagnose the disorder.
Treatment of Alcohol Addiction
There are a number of treatments available for the treatment of alcohol addiction. They include:
- Medications can be prescribed by a primary care physician or other health professionals to help patients stop or reduce their drinking and prevent relapse. They may be used alone or in combination with counseling.
Some of the medications available include:
- Naltrexone: This can help people reduce heavy drinking.
- Acamprosate: This makes it easier to maintain abstinence from drinking.
- Disulfiram: This blocks the breakdown of alcohol by the body.
- Counseling or behavioral treatments involve working with a health professional to identify and change behaviors that lead to heavy drinking. Behavioral treatments focus on helping the patient by:
- Developing the skills needed to stop or reduce drinking.
- Helping to build a solid social support system.
- Working to set reachable goals.
- Coping with or avoiding the triggers that might cause relapse.
Different types of behavioral treatments could be employed including; Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy
(CBT), Marital and Family Counseling and Brief Interventions.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs provide peer support for people trying to stop or reduce drinking habits. These support groups in combination with treatment led by health professionals can offer a valuable added layer of support.
Alcohol rehabilitation centers also known as ‘rehab centers’ are care facilities designed for inpatient treatment of alcohol misuse and addiction. Some people who have difficulty overcoming unhealthy alcohol consumption may require a controlled environment to facilitate their recovery.
The first important step in rehabilitation is ‘detox’, a process of getting alcohol out of the addicted person’s system. People with severe alcohol addiction can experience intense withdrawal symptoms. A supervised alcohol detox is usually necessary for people addicted to alcohol to prevent potentially fatal complications. Rehabilitation centers offer structured and peer support groups to support patients in their recovery. They also offer therapy that provides patients with the skills they need to overcome their addiction and maintain their sobriety long-term. Inpatient treatment may last weeks or months, depending on the severity of the addiction.
Conclusion
In summary, alcohol addiction or alcoholism is the inability to control alcohol consumption due to a dependence on alcohol, while Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a disorder characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol consumption despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.
Negative effects of alcohol addiction include health problems such as liver cirrhosis and high blood pressure. Symptoms of alcohol addiction like uncontrollable craving for alcohol and continuing to drink in spite of negative consequences are indicators to seek treatment. Treatment options range from medication and counseling to mutual support groups and inpatient treatment in rehabilitation centers.
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