But alcohol is a nervous system depressant and easily alters behavior, culminating in some cases in the emotional pain and physical disintegration of alcohol addiction, colloquially known as alcoholism. Experts continue to debate the benefits and risks of drinking and passionately argue over whether moderation or complete abstinence is the best option for those who struggle with alcoholism. Alcoholism is a complicated issue, influenced by many genetic, environmental and psychological factors. Understanding the reasons why people struggle with alcoholism is essential for professional treatment providers to know which treatments may be most effective. People with alcohol addiction physically crave the substance and are often inconsolable until they start drinking again. You may become more depressed, more anxious, or start losing sleep.
Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder (Alcoholism): What Causes It?
Fluid buildup in end-stage liver disease is a particularly ominous sign. Fifty percent of patients with ascites typically die within two years if they don’t have a liver transplant. Stopping is impossible at this point without professional help because of the severe and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms that would occur if they quit cold turkey. When alcohol is not present, individuals may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as restlessness, tremors, headache, nausea, vomiting and insomnia.
Stage #1: Occasional abuse and binge drinking
If you’re dealing with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and need help to stay sober, reach out to an addiction specialist to help get the treatment you need. There’s no one way to describe a ‘typical alcoholic’ since alcoholism develops differently from person to person. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) performed a study to categorize different alcoholics to note their similarities. Family members and friends can recognize the type of alcoholic by observing their loved one’s behaviors and their impact on relationships. Still, professional guidance is often needed to provide effective support.
The Co-Presence of a Corresponding Psychiatric Condition
Alcoholism doesn’t only take its toll on the alcoholic — it affects everyone around him or her, especially family and friends. Research shows that more than 40 percent of Americans have been exposed to alcoholism in the family. Children of alcoholics are more likely to be abused and to experience anxiety, depression and behavioral problems than children of non-alcoholics. They also have an increased risk of becoming how do people become alcoholics alcoholics themselves. There are several organizations geared specifically to treating the families of alcoholics, including Alanon. Not everyone who drinks alcohol heavily is considered an alcoholic.
- Inside the developing fetus, the embryonic cells that will eventually form the brain are multiplying and forming connections.
- Symptoms of alcohol use disorder are based on the behaviors and physical outcomes that occur as a result of alcohol addiction.
- Over time, alcohol can inflict serious damage on other body parts as well.
- It can be difficult to know whether or not to abstain from alcohol to support a loved one in recovery.
- They often have steady jobs, relationships, decent family incomes, and have accomplished a higher education.
- An example would be a father who falls asleep on the couch after having several drinks three or four days a week, missing out on time with his kids and wife.
Biological Factors that Cause Alcoholism
- They should also have proactive strategies to avoid dropping out, involve the family in treatment, employ qualified and certified staff, and be accredited by an external regulatory organization.
- It can involve withdrawal symptoms, disruption of daily tasks, discord in relationships, and risky decisions that place oneself or others in danger.
- Examples might include going through a bereavement, losing your job, experiencing a traumatic event or struggling with financial problems.
- This group also experiences the highest alcohol-related emergency room visits, work and social problems, and withdrawal.
- Suppressing this stimulant results in a similar type of physiological slowdown.
As exceptions, functional and young antisocial alcoholics are more likely to be aware of their drinking problem. Most functional alcoholics are middle-aged (around 41) who started drinking around age 18. Some people prefer to try cutting back or quitting on their own before committing time and money to rehab.
- This area of the brain controls emotions, decision-making, and stress.
- While any form of alcohol abuse is problematic, the term “problem drinker” refers to someone who starts experiencing the impacts of their habit.
- Although the exact cause of alcohol use disorder is unknown, there are certain factors that may increase your risk for developing this disease.
- This demographic’s average age is 24, with most being male, single, still in school, and with family histories of alcoholism.
- At Ohio Addiction Recovery Center, our highly trained addiction experts work closely with each client to provide the individualized treatment they need to recover.
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, women shouldn’t drink more than one drink per day, and men shouldn’t drink more than two drinks per day.
- Identifying the specific type of alcoholic makes it easier to understand and treat people’s problems.
How Alcohol Addiction Develops
After the alcohol is absorbed, it enters your bloodstream and is carried throughout your body. As the alcohol acts upon the body, the body is simultaneously working to remove it. The kidneys and lungs remove about 10 percent of the alcohol in the urine and the breath (which is why a breathalyzer test can be used to measure a person’s blood alcohol level). Most people can enjoy the occasional glass of wine with dinner or beer out with friends. marijuana addiction But for other people, one drink becomes two drinks, which becomes four drinks — they are unable to stop drinking.
Genetics (Maybe family members liked Alcohol?)
Neurotransmitters are either excitatory, meaning that they stimulate brain electrical activity, or inhibitory, meaning that they decrease brain electrical activity. Alcohol increases the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain. GABA causes the sluggish movements and slurred speech that often occur in alcoholics. At the same time, alcohol inhibits the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Suppressing this stimulant results in a similar type of physiological slowdown.
- For more information on alcoholism, including treatment resources, check out the links on the next page.
- Alcohol increases the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain.
- The young antisocial alcoholic subtype starts drinking at 15 and develops an AUD around 18.
- You may start to feel sick from heavy drinking, but enjoy its effects too much to care.
Alcoholics Anonymous is one example; it offers a structured 12-step path toward recovery with a community of support from those who have dealt with similar challenges. For more information on symptoms, causes, and treatment of alcohol use disorder see our Diagnosis Dictionary. Our Recovery Advocates are ready to answer your questions about addiction treatment and help you start your recovery.
Because the body has adapted to deal with an alcohol-rich environment, the alcoholic physically needs it to avoid the painful symptoms of withdrawal. It leads to turmoil in the home, resentful relationships, and even emotional or physical health problems. Unfortunately, people who become alcoholics often require professional treatment in order to recover. At Ohio Addiction Recovery Center, our highly trained addiction experts work closely with each client to provide the individualized treatment they need to recover.
Those in the end stage of alcoholism, or late or deteriorative stage, are consumed by their drinking. Years of chronic alcohol consumption have ravaged their body and mind, and their lives revolve around little else other than the bottle. While every person’s alcohol addiction is unique, alcohol affects people in similar ways. Most people with an alcohol use disorder progress through three typical stages. The effectiveness of these programs varies depending upon the severity of the problem, the social and psychological factors involved and the individual’s commitment to the process.