Alcoholism is when a person is unable to control their drinking and won’t stop or reduce their alcohol intake despite serious consequences because of their drinking. Many people will get DUI’s a continue to drink, never admitting or even realizing that they are experiencing bad outcomes when they drink. Others will lose their jobs, destroy their marriages or family life, and also continue to drink. Still, not all alcoholics will have negative situations. Some people drink heavily for a long time with no problems, but their health or relationships eventually fail.
Alcohol Use Disorder is how doctors now identify alcoholics. AUD is categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. (NIAAA)
How Common Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is the second leading addiction after cigarettes and nicotine. Harvard Health Publishing points out the ages that Alcoholism usually occurs and what the symptoms typically feel like when someone is an alcoholic.
FOR MOST PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN ALCOHOL USE DISORDER, THE FIRST ALCOHOL-RELATED LIFE PROBLEMS USUALLY APPEAR IN THE MID-20S TO EARLY 40S. A PERSON WITH ALCOHOL USE DISORDER HAS COME TO RELY ON ALCOHOL PHYSICALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY. THE BRAIN ADAPTS TO THE PRESENCE OF ALCOHOL AND UNDERGOES PERSISTENT CHANGES. WHEN ALCOHOL USE SUDDENLY STOPS, THE BODY IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO BEING ALCOHOL-FREE. THE INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT CHANGES DRASTICALLY, CAUSING SYMPTOMS OF WITHDRAWAL. (HARVARD HEALTH PUBLISHING)
Is Alcoholism A Disease?
Alcoholism is a complex disease of the mind and emotions. It is determined to be a disease because it affects the brain and behaviors. People with Alcoholism essentially damage their brain from consuming too much alcohol. The neurological processes for how a brain operates become less acute in controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgment. Other brain problems include microencephaly ( less volume of the brain tissue) and fewer numbers of brain cells that can function correctly, leading to long-term problems in learning and behavior.
The American Medical Association listed Alcoholism as an illness in 1956 and declared it a disease in 1989.
What Are The 5 Most Common Causes Of Alcoholism
The most common causes of Alcoholism will include one or more of five fundamental reasons someone will become an alcoholic. Most alcoholics will have more than one cause. Most alcoholics will have all five factors influencing their Alcoholism. The five most common causes of Alcoholism include:
- Family History of Alcoholism (genetic link)
- Environmental Influence (alcohol abuse or condoning of drinking in the home while growing up)
- History of Trauma (physical, sexual, or witnessing violence)
- History of Neglect (emotional isolation from parents, experiencing poverty, foster homes)
- Diagnosed or Undiagnosed Emotional or Mental Health Disorders
How To Identify Alcoholism?
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states how an alcohol use disorder is determined. They reference the behaviors and point to the presence of withdrawal symptoms that occur when someone stops their alcohol intake -if they are an alcoholic.
ALCOHOL USE DISORDER (AUD) IS A MEDICAL CONDITION CHARACTERIZED BY AN IMPAIRED ABILITY TO STOP OR CONTROL ALCOHOL USE DESPITE ADVERSE SOCIAL, OCCUPATIONAL, OR HEALTH CONSEQUENCES… WHEN THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL WEAR OFF, YOU HAVE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS, SUCH AS TROUBLE SLEEPING, SHAKINESS, RESTLESSNESS, NAUSEA, SWEATING, A RACING HEART, OR A SEIZURE? OR SENSED THINGS THAT WERE NOT THERE? (NIAAA)
What Treatment Types Are Best For Alcoholism?
A professional treatment center will focus on the individual needs of the person. Today the gold standard in all alcoholism treatment programs is providing the patient a personalized treatment plan. The other necessary component is that the treatment programs be evidence-based. For example, behavioral therapies pharmacotherapy methods are evidence-based and are proven to help a person remain sober long term. We provide numerous forms of behavioral therapy, individual counseling, group therapy, holistic therapy methods, and specialized treatment options such as dual diagnosis.
Call Now For Priority Placement At Ariafl
Do not let another day go by, hoping that your Alcoholism will get better on its own. Unfortunately, this disease is progressive and will worsen and can be the end of your life or your loved one. We provide alcohol detoxification and individualized treatment programs that work. Call now for immediate entry to our evidence-based treatment center for Alcoholism.