Understanding Alcohol Abuse, Addiction, and Treatment

Many people think of alcohol as a form of celebration, relaxation, and even disassociation. However, alcohol may also be a trigger for those susceptible to addiction.

While moderate alcohol consumption is often expected and even socially encouraged, the line between social drinking and alcohol misuse is easily blurred. This leads many individuals down a path of dependency and addiction.

According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 29.5 million people over the age of 12 in the United States had Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the past year.

The effects of alcohol abuse can go on to affect one’s daily life in multiple ways, including socially, emotionally, and physically, with many unable to break the cycle of addiction without professional guidance.

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Alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, is a chronic disease defined by a compulsive and uncontrollable desire to consume alcohol, despite the negative toll it takes on physical and mental health.

Alcohol addiction is often fueled by a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and social factors. However, at its core, alcohol addiction affects the brain’s reward system, triggering the release of dopamine, a sensation associated with pleasure and reward.

Over time, repeated exposure to alcohol can lead to the brain becoming desensitized to its effects, requiring increasingly larger amounts to achieve the same level of pleasure, and therefore making it harder to stop. Though alcoholism can be a difficult path to navigate, this disease is treatable with proper guidance and support.

Common Factors Associated with Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol use disorder is influenced by a variety of psychological and environmental factors, including genetics, trauma, mental health disorders, peer pressure, and societal norms. For some individuals, alcohol may serve as a coping mechanism to numb emotional pain or alleviate stress, leading to a cycle of dependence and addiction.

Common risk factors include:

  • Genetics: Family history plays a significant role in determining a person’s susceptibility to alcohol addiction. Research suggests that genetic factors account for about half of the risk of developing alcohol use disorder.
  • Mental Health Disorders: Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can increase the risk of alcohol addiction, with many individuals turning to alcohol as a form of self-medication.
  • Trauma and Stress: Frequent exposure to traumatic events, chronic stress, or adverse childhood experiences can increase the risk of alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism to numb emotional pain and alleviate stress.
  • Peer Influence: Social factors, including peer pressure and the influence of friends or family members, can contribute to the development of alcohol addiction. Social acceptance of heavy drinking behaviors like binge drinking can normalize alcohol use and make it more likely for individuals to engage in excessive drinking.
  • Environmental Factors: Environmental factors such as availability and accessibility of alcohol, cultural norms surrounding alcohol use, and exposure to alcohol advertising can influence drinking behavior and contribute to the risk of addiction.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Signs of alcohol addiction and abuse may present differently for each individual and can be mild, moderate, or severe. Common signs and symptoms include:

  • Cravings: Those who have a strong urge or desire to consume alcohol may suffer from compulsive drinking behavior.
  • Loss of Control: Those suffering from AUD may be unable to limit the amount of alcohol consumed or stop drinking despite repeated attempts to do so.
  • Tolerance: After significant alcohol abuse, over time many individuals may need to increase the amounts of alcohol they consume to achieve the desired effects.
  • Withdrawal Symptoms: Those living with alcohol addiction may experience withdrawal symptoms when alcohol consumption is significantly reduced or stopped. Symptoms may include tremors, sweating, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia.
  • Ignoring Negative Consequences: A common sign of AUD is the continuous use of alcohol consumption despite experiencing negative consequences on physical health, mental well-being, relationships, work, or other areas of life.
  • Preoccupation with Alcohol: Spending a significant amount of time thinking about alcohol, planning drinking sessions, or recovering from its effects is often a sign of alcohol addiction or abuse.
  • Loss of Interest: Those living with alcohol addiction may experience a disinterest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable.
  • Neglecting Responsibilities: Alcohol addiction may lead to neglecting day-to-day responsibilities, such as missing deadlines, skipping classes, or ignoring household chores.
  • Hiding or Lying About Alcohol Consumption: Those suffering from alcohol addiction may conceal their alcohol consumption or lie about their drinking habits to others.
  • Continued Drinking Despite Health Problems: Those living with AUD often continue to consume alcohol despite experiencing physical health problems related to drinking, such as liver disease, gastritis, or high blood pressure.
  • Increase in High-Risk Behavior: High-risk behaviors such as driving under the influence, engaging in unprotected sex, or getting into fights while under the influence may often be a sign of AUD.
  • Social Isolation: Many suffering from alcohol addiction may withdraw from family, friends, or social activities in favor of drinking alone out of fear of shame or judgment.

While experiencing one or more of these signs does not necessarily mean someone has AUD, if several of these signs are present and are affecting daily tasks, it is recommended one seek professional help.

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Treatment for alcohol use disorder can vary depending on the client’s needs. However, standard alcoholism treatment may include an intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay, with the overall goal being to improve the patient’s quality of life.

Treatment options for alcoholism include:

  • Detox – Treatment begins with a program of detox or withdrawal that is medically managed. Medical detox helps individuals safely manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping alcohol use, such as tremors, seizures, nausea, or high blood pressure.
  • Therapy – One-on-one and group therapy are designed to help individuals better understand their problem with alcohol and develop healthy coping mechanisms in a supportive environment. Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are commonly used to treat alcoholism.
  • Customized Treatment Plans – Treatment for alcohol addiction is not a one-size-fits-all approach and often requires a personalized treatment plan for each individual, including goal setting, behavior change techniques, counseling, and holistic practices designed to enhance well-being, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness. Treatment also addresses any co-occurring substance abuse and mental health problems.
  • Aftercare – After completing formal treatment for alcohol addiction, creating a comprehensive aftercare plan is crucial to maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse. Aftercare may include ongoing therapy, support group participation in groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a healthy lifestyle, and spiritual practices.

Residential Alcoholism Treatment Programs at Invigorate Behavioral Health

At Invigorate Behavioral Health, we offer a comprehensive, holistic approach to treatment, blending evidence-based therapies with innovative wellness practices to address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of alcohol addiction. For those living with severe alcohol use disorder, our residential detox and treatment program is the first step on the road to recovery.

To learn more about our Los Angeles alcohol rehab program or get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment, please contact us today.

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