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For instance, an individual with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism who is also exposed to social or environmental triggers, may be more likely to develop AUD. Recognizing these potential triggers and modifying corresponding behaviours can help reduce the chances of developing alcohol misuse issues. Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a disease of the brain and not a moral failing. The modern disease theory of alcoholism describes problem drinking as a disease of the brain, characterised by altered brain structure and function.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Alcoholism
Although many of us think of alcoholism as “just a bad habit,” it is in actuality a chronic physical disease as well as a mental disorder. This fact places alcohol addiction in a new light and helps to find better ways to treat it. About 14.5 million adults in the US suffer from alcohol use disorder, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Abuse of alcohol can result in many undesirable outcomes, including mishaps, injuries, and health issues like pancreatitis and liver disease, a severe public health issue.
Alcoholism is considered a disease because of the lasting changes it causes to the brain. The modern disease theory of alcoholism states that problem drinking is sometimes caused by a disease of the brain, characterised by altered brain structure and function. The disease model of alcoholism has been controversial, with some arguing that it is not a disease but rather the result of low moral standards, bad character, and weak will.
Medically managed withdrawal or detoxification can be safely carried out under medical guidance. Medications, such as benzodiazepines, are given to help control withdrawal symptoms. If necessary, patients may receive intravenous fluids, vitamins, and other medications to treat hallucinations or other symptoms caused by withdrawal.
Mental Obsession
Since the late 1980s, 20 controlled studies2 have examined the efficacy3 of various types of continuing care after completion of inpatient therapy or IOP for initial treatment. Of these, 10 studies included patients with alcohol use disorders and 10 included patients with drug or AOD use disorders. Most of the continuing care approaches evaluated were based on CBT; others involved 12-step group counseling, home visits, interpersonal therapy, and other comprehensive interventions.
Developing Alcohol Dependence
Excessive drinking is a major health concern when we consider how it affects our bodies. Overindulgence in alcohol may seriously disrupt the chemistry of the brain, impairing our ability to process emotions and form judgments. It’s as if the brain is rewired to place alcohol above all other priorities, which is why quitting is so difficult. Alcohol interferes with neurotransmitters, which are the brain’s chemical messengers, altering mood, behavior, and cognitive functions.
Prolonged alcohol abuse can lead to changes in the brain’s reward system, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to control their alcohol consumption and leading to a chronic pattern of alcohol dependence. Therefore, researchers and clinicians have begun to develop additional programs to increase the number of options available to AOD-abusing patients and their health care providers. This process has focused mainly on extended treatment models that increasingly blur the distinction between intensive initial care and less intensive continuing care aimed at prolonging treatment participation. A second trend is the design of alternative treatment delivery modes that may be able to reach patients with limited access to or interest in traditional settings and strategies. However, many of these studies have been conducted in patients with a range of AOD disorders rather than focusing on patients with alcohol use disorders only. Live Well & Fully provides personal development and family coaching services only.
- As the brain becomes more accustomed to alcohol, it affects an individual’s ability to think clearly, make rational choices, and control their actions.
- As with other chronic diseases, like diabetes or arthritis, no known cure exists for alcoholism.
- Support groups are an essential component of alcoholism treatment, providing individuals with a community of peers who understand their struggles.
- Just because someone’s disease got better with or without intervention doesn’t mean they don’t still live with the condition.
Chronic alcohol use can damage the liver and lead to a condition Drug rehabilitation called cirrhosis, which is a progressive and irreversible scarring of the liver. This can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and other serious health problems. Discover the science, real-life dangers, and how Midwest Recovery Centers can guide you toward safe, lasting recovery. Take a look at the Alcohol Abuse Screening Quiz to see how symptoms compare. Hosted by Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares strategies for coping with alcohol cravings and other addictions, featuring addiction specialist John Umhau, MD.
We aim to raise awareness, offer guidance, and connect people with recovery programs to help them regain control and improve their lives. Knowing your limits is important to maintaining a healthy and responsible balance when it comes to alcohol use. If you are prone to alcoholism due to family history or previous addictions, any alcohol use is risky and should be avoided.
Similar results were obtained in a study of physicians in the Washington State PHP who were treated for AOD use problems (Domino et al. 2005). Thus, both of these studies indicate that continuing care involving extended intensive monitoring can generate positive outcomes, at least in highly motivated patients. One subgroup of AOD-dependent patients that is of particular concern to the public and the medical profession is physicians with AOD use disorders.
Understanding this cycle is crucial for individuals in alcohol recovery to navigate their journey towards sobriety. Alcoholism is widely recognized as a chronic disease, which means it is characterized by long-lasting and persistent symptoms. Several factors contribute to the chronicity of alcoholism, including biological, psychological, and social factors. A medication for alcoholism, such as disulfiram or acamprosate, may aid alcohol recovery. People with severe alcohol use disorders often require long-term residential rehab and years of aftercare support. These studies already have identified several components of continuing care that contribute to or mediate its effectiveness.
Psychological Factors
The individual may drink to stave off these discomforts, a behavior that reinforces the cycle of dependence. Alcoholism is considered a chronic disease like other chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and others. Alcoholism has no cure, and it can get worse or improve and carries a risk of relapse.