What Are the Causes of Alcoholism & Alcohol Abuse? Leave a comment

Many people with AUD do recover, but setbacks are common among people in treatment. Behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking. Medications also can help deter drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk of a return to drinking (e.g., divorce, death of a family member). Mutual-support groups provide peer support for stopping or reducing drinking. Group meetings are available in most communities at low or no cost, and at convenient times and locations—including an increasing presence online. This means they can be especially helpful to individuals at risk for relapse to drinking.

Poorer individuals experience greater health and social harms from alcohol consumption than more affluent individuals. An informed minority opinion, especially among sociologists, believes that the medicalization of alcoholism is an error. Unlike most disease symptoms, the loss of control over drinking does not hold true at all times or in all situations.

Long-Term Health Risks

Moderate alcohol consumption does not generally cause any psychological or physical harm. However, if someone who enjoys social drinking significantly increases their consumption or regularly consumes more than the recommended quantity, AUD may eventually develop. Even when a person has a genetic predisposition for alcoholism, positive environmental influences such as education, religion and marriage can decrease the chances of developing a drinking problem. Genes alone don’t determine whether someone becomes addicted, but they can provide a prod in that direction. Numerous scientific studies looking at twins and children of alcoholics have revealed that about half of a person’s risk for alcoholism is inherited.

Co-occurring alcohol abuse and mental health conditions, like depression, bipolar and schizophrenia, can cause an array of serious side effects. In order to overcome these issues, each one should be treated by a medical specialist. Worsening symptoms can lead a person to drink even more, creating a vicious cycle. That’s why individuals struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions require treatment for both conditions. The most effective treatment approach addresses addiction and co-occurring disorders simultaneously.

Risks of alcohol misuse

It is essential to inquire about the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumed by the individual. Standardized screening tools, such as the CAGE questionnaire and the screening questions for AUD (see Image. DSM 5 Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder.), can help identify problematic drinking patterns in individuals with AUDs. Furthermore, obtaining a detailed family history of AUDs and substance use disorders, as well as personal and family history of any psychiatric disorders, is essential for the evaluation process. If a long-term, heavy drinker suddenly stops drinking, the brain’s over-amped excitatory neurotransmitters will continue firing as if alcohol is present. This may cause the person to experience agonizing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as profuse sweating, a racing heart, increased anxiety and tremors.

“Along the way there are a variety of psychological and social factors that come to play. These create a situation where the person’s entire social environment tends to be supportive of drinking. Despite the prevalence of alcohol consumption, there’s no one-size-fits-all explanation for why some people who drink develop an addiction and others don’t. Many theories of the https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/causes-of-alcoholism-why-are-people-alcoholics/ rest on the limited perspectives of specialists in particular disciplines or professions.

Long term

The condition is likely the result of a combination of genetic, social, psychological, and environmental factors. Today, we know that the symptoms of alcoholism can vary from one person to the next. Because the condition is progressive, these symptoms may increase over time in terms of the number of symptoms, their severity, and their impact.

• No, really, because if they don’t, that could be a game changer for folks who can’t stand that uncomfortable, tight feeling that bubbles up in their stomachs after downing a few brews.
• You might be prescribed medication to help with your condition in severe cases.
• Perhaps the most commonly cited example is college, where alcohol consumption is widely celebrated and embraced; even particularly dangerous forms of drinking such as binge drinking are glorified.
• No matter how hopeless alcohol use disorder may seem, treatment can help.
• Alcoholism is a term that is sometimes used to describe what is known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Explore how many people ages 18 to 25 engage in alcohol misuse in the United States and the impact it has. Learn how many people ages 12 to 20 engage in underage alcohol misuse in the United States and the impact it has. Get professional help from an addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. Starting college or a new job can also make you more susceptible to alcoholism. During these times, you’re looking to make new friends and develop relationships with peers. The desire to fit in and be well-liked may cause you to participate in activities that you normally wouldn’t partake in.

Social barriers

There are dozens of risk factors and causes, any of which can impact a specific individual. Also, no factors are determinative; someone with very few risk factors may have severe alcoholism, and someone else with many risk factors may have no drinking issues. Growing up around family members and close relatives that suffer from alcoholism increases the risk of alcohol abuse for generations to come.

• From sporting events to social situations to work events, alcohol is often presented as the optimal way to bond with others, celebrate important occasions or just kick back and relax.
• Residential treatment programs typically include licensed alcohol and drug counselors, social workers, nurses, doctors, and others with expertise and experience in treating alcohol use disorder.
• This means that just because the beverages are free of booze, they’re not necessarily lacking brewmaster magic.
• While it is an individual’s personal choice whether or not to begin drinking, a great deal of research suggests that the development of alcoholism once drinking commences is largely out of that individual’s control.

“The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” provides diagnostic criteria for identifying alcohol use disorder. For a person to be diagnosed with the condition, three of the following factors must have been present for at least twelve months. A person with AUD can lose control over the amount of alcohol they consume and continue to drink despite any adverse health, social or occupational consequences. Other tests can indicate whether there is damage to the liver, or — in males — reduced testosterone levels.

More discerning theories take into account the complexity of the disorder and acknowledge that alcoholism is usually caused by a combination of factors. Treatment for alcohol use disorder can vary, depending on your needs. Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay. Working to stop alcohol use to improve quality of life is the main treatment goal. While someone of any religion can become an alcoholic, individuals who are strict adherents to religions that strongly oppose alcohol are less likely to become alcoholics. This is especially true when that religion strongly influences local laws, social practices, and the availability of alcohol.

When you’re surrounded by people who drink excessively, you can look at alcohol use differently and fall victim to bad habits. Experimenting with alcohol at a young age can lead to problems later on in life, especially in your 20s and 30s. This is especially true when adolescents engage in frequent binge drinking. While drinking early on can increase the likelihood of alcohol abuse, alcoholism can affect anyone at any age. Alcoholism is a treatable disease, with many treatment programs and approaches available to support alcoholics who have decided to get help. Getting help before your problem drinking progresses to severe alcohol use disorder can save your life.

Factors affecting alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm

After a long period of drinking, your brain begins to rely on alcohol to produce certain chemicals. This is what makes it difficult for heavy drinkers to quit and can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Treatment for alcoholism often involves a combination of therapy, medication, and support. If you think you might have an alcohol use disorder or if you are worried that your alcohol consumption has become problematic, it is important to talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment options. One recent analysis found a sobering relationship between alcohol and health. Alcohol consumption was also linked to a greater risk for stroke, coronary disease, heart failure, and fatally high blood pressure.