Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol is one of the most popular addictive substances in the world. Some people can control how much they drink, but others have risk factors that prevent them from drinking responsibly. When these people become addicted to alcohol, they’re often referred to as alcoholics.

Some alcoholics appear to be high-functioning. Although they’re addicted, they can hold a steady job and take care of their daily responsibilities. But most alcoholics experience negative consequences because of their drinking.

People with mild alcohol problems may be able to quit drinking on their own or with the help of support groups. However, people who are addicted to alcohol require treatment. Recovery from alcohol addiction is achievable with assistance from doctors, therapists, peers, friends and family members.

Causes of Alcohol Addiction

Most addictive substances, including alcohol, affect the pleasure and reward center in the brain. Alcohol manipulates this system, which drives us to repeat behaviors that we enjoy. When people become addicted, their brains are chemically rewired to desire alcohol.

“We know that about 50 percent of the risk is genetic,” Dr. Kenneth Leonard, director of the Research Institute on Addictions, told DrugRehab.com. “The best predictor is actually family history because it looks as though there are many, many genes that carry the risk.”

Some people are more likely to become addicted to alcohol because their brains are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Individuals with certain types of mental health disorders may also be more likely to become addicted to alcohol. These conditions are known as co-occurring disorders when they exist alongside alcohol addiction.

Biological Causes

Prolonged or repeated alcohol abuse can change brain chemistry and cause alcohol addiction. The disease of alcoholism disrupts normal judgement and self-control. It makes people crave alcohol and believe that they must go to any length to drink.

Alcohol addiction is the same thing as alcoholism and alcohol use disorder. These terms can be used interchangeably. Alcohol abuse refers to drinking alcohol in an unsafe manner. Alcohol dependence is a related physical condition that causes withdrawal symptoms when alcohol isn’t present in the body, but it isn’t the same thing as alcoholism.

Learn more about the disease of alcoholism

Social Causes

Effects of Alcohol Addiction

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  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. Learn more about the effects of alcohol
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  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. Learn more about the effects of alcoholism on families
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  Risks of Mixing Alcohol

  Some people who are addicted to alcohol 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. Learn more about the dangers of mixing alcohol

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Alcohol addiction is a self-diagnosable condition. But many people struggle to recognize the symptoms. You can determine if you have a mild, moderate or severe alcohol use disorder by taking a simple quiz.

Alcohol rehab helps people overcome alcohol withdrawal in a safe setting. Health professionals ease the experience with around-the-clock care and monitoring. Once people detox from alcohol, counseling and therapy are vital for preventing relapse. These services can teach people how to live without alcohol.

Counseling and therapy help people find motivation for entering rehab, garner positive reinforcement and learn to overcome underlying causes of alcohol addiction. Rehab facilities may also offer medications that help people abstain from drinking.

Physicians and addiction specialists can also prescribe a variety of medications, such as anticonvulsants and anti-nausea drugs, to treat symptoms of withdrawal, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Alcohol Addiction Recovery

After rehab, individuals should continue to access support groups and recovery resources. Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most well-known support groups for people in recovery from alcohol addiction.

Sober living homes, vocational training and family counseling can aid a person’s transition back to society after treatment. These resources increase a person’s ability to find purpose, connect with the community and rebuild relationships.

You can find hope and motivation for recovery by reading stories of real people who have overcome alcohol addiction.

Tash Moore

A group of friends got Tash to try her first drink, but depression and insecurities fueled her addiction to alcohol. She tried quitting cold turkey, but withdrawals sent her to the hospital. Learn how therapy helped her finally enter sobriety.

Read Tash’s recovery story

Dan Renaud

At age 21, Dan had been drinking for more than six years. He turned to the only resource that was available in the 1980s: Alcoholics Anonymous. See how Dan is helping teens avoid the mistakes he made growing up.

Read Dan’s recovery story

Susan Broderick

Susan Broderick came from a family of alcoholics. Despite her animosity toward her parents’ drinking habits, Susan followed in their footsteps. Learn how Susan has maintained recovery from alcohol addiction despite numerous obstacles.

Read Susan’s recovery story

Alcohol addiction is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. Nearly every person knows someone affected by alcohol. Alcoholics can take several paths to recovery. Treatment, support, faith and persistence can help any person live in sobriety.

Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.