Alcohol Use Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Individuals may drink to cope with their problems, whether internal or external. However, most don’t realize that large consumption of alcohol creates problems and worsens existing issues. Over time, this will lead to brain changes that lead to repetitive alcohol use. Without alcohol, a person finds it hard to deal with daily responsibilities.

Medical Detox Safety: What You Need to Know for Recovery

Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. Many factors can contribute to someone developing alcohol use disorder.

The Brain and Alcohol Use Disorder

• Ridgeline Recovery provides compassionate, evidence-based treatment for addiction and mental health—helping individuals in Columbus, OH take back control of their lives.
• External and internal factors are the most prominent contributors to alcohol addiction, but they are not the only ones.
• You might find that you prioritise drinking over your family, friends, responsibilities and other activities that you used to enjoy.
• If you think you may be dependent on alcohol, you should consult your doctor or another medical professional before stopping drinking.
• At Dove Recovery, we treat all of these contributing factors through personalized, evidence-based care.

Whether it’s happening in an upscale neighborhood or a struggling one, alcohol addiction is everywhere. At Greater Boston Addiction Centers, we offer personalized, evidence-based treatment options to help individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. Research shows that genetics play a significant role in the development of alcoholism. Studies suggest that 40-60% of the risk for developing AUD is hereditary. Genetics may set the stage for the way we think and act, but our environment strongly influences it. Alcohol triggers the brain’s reward system by releasing dopamine, making us feel good temporarily.

Treatment for Alcoholism

Even brief abstinence can leave individuals consumed by thoughts of drinking. It is influenced by a range of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Mental Health & Trauma

The more frequently a person drinks, the more their tolerance may rise. This then requires a why do people become alcoholics person to consume more alcohol in a single sitting to produce the desired buzz. After a period of this repeated behavior, it can develop into alcoholism.

Achieve lasting recovery

It can also lead to loss of coordination, which leads to accidents. There is also a high risk of overdose when combining alcohol with prescription drugs. Make sure to call 911 if you ever witness this happening to someone.

Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being. Fill your day with meaningful activities and stick to a schedule the way you normally would, even if you’re not working. Structure is everything — it’ll keep cravings at bay, keep your mind active and engaged while making you feel productive and optimistic. Likewise, booze-positive social media posts represent a highlight reel — after all, people don’t share their hangovers or rehab stints with the same gusto.

What is alcohol use disorder (AUD)?

Heilig began studying addiction in rats and mice in the mid 2000s with the aim of finding new ways to treat the disorder. The study, recently published in Science, also describes some of the differences researchers found in the rats’ brains, which they believe explain some of the animals’ addictive habits. Swedish and American researchers have conducted an experiment with rats to investigate this issue. Even when rats were given an electric shock if they pushed a pedal to be given a sip of alcohol, a small percentage of the animals continued to push the pedal. Here at Intrepid Recover Center, not only will we help get you started on the path to recovery, but we’ll make sure that you stay on the right path every single step of the way.

Drinking to Numb Mental Health Issues

Those marijuana addiction susceptible or predisposed to alcoholism may experience higher levels of pleasure compared to the average population. This can contribute to the hypothesis that alcohol is more addicting for some individuals than others. Moreover, binge drinking also releases “negative chemicals”, such as cortisol.

Continued exposure to peer pressure to drink can increase the likelihood of developing alcoholism, especially if individuals have difficulty setting boundaries or resisting social influences. As per a study by Koob GF published in 2020 in NCBI, Understanding the intricate relationship between alcohol and the brain is essential for comprehending how chronic consumers succumb to alcoholism. By learning the neurobiological processes at play and the long-term effects of alcohol abuse, we can prevent and treat this disease more effectively. We can better assist those with alcohol use disorder to overcome their addictions if we can convince them to cease drinking. Research by the NIAAA indicates that about 20% to 40% of individuals treated for anxiety disorders also struggle with AUD. Similarly, the co-occurrence of AUD with major depressive disorder ranges from 27% to 40%, and among those with bipolar disorder, the prevalence of AUD can be as high as 42%.