If you or someone you know is abusing alcohol, you may be wondering whether it’s possible to recover from addiction. The symptoms and causes of alcohol addiction are discussed here. You can also learn about treatment options. In addition, this article covers the steps you should take to help yourself. Read on to learn about the different steps you should take to stop drinking alcohol and start recovery. You might find these helpful. Also, remember that recovery is possible, even if you have been a victim of alcohol addiction before.
Symptoms
Many people experience a variety of different symptoms of alcohol abuse, including loss of interest in hobbies and activities. A heavy drinker may repeat himself or herself, engage in risky sexual activities, or get into physical altercations. Alcohol also affects the brain chemistry, producing neurotransmitters and altering the reward pathways. Ultimately, these symptoms can lead to alcoholism, a condition that can be fatal. Listed below are some of the most common signs of alcohol abuse and how to spot them.
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system. While initial reactions may be stimulating, continued drinking leads to sedation. Alcohol affects nerves and vital brain centers, making it difficult to control speech, movement, and other aspects of life. Heavy drinkers may experience a coma or even death. Long-term alcohol abuse can also affect a person’s nervous system, resulting in impaired thinking, short-term memory loss, and an enlarged liver.
Whether heavy alcohol use is frequent or occasional, an excessive amount of alcohol can lead to alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms can occur within hours or up to four or five days after the last drink. Withdrawal symptoms can include sweating, hand tremors, and problems sleeping. The effects of alcohol withdrawal can impair a person’s ability to function in social situations. They can be deadly if not treated early.
People with alcohol use disorder may use alcohol to relieve stressful or difficult emotions. People with an alcohol use disorder often require a higher amount of alcohol to become intoxicated, or the effects of the alcohol they consume are diminished. To prevent the symptoms, a person with an alcohol use disorder may also abuse drugs or substances. A family history of alcohol use disorder can increase the likelihood of developing the condition. The symptoms of alcoholism can also lead to the person to relapse.
While the causes and effects of alcohol addiction are not known for certain, they are significant. The physical consequences of alcohol abuse can include driving tickets, cirrhosis, and liver disease. It can also negatively affect a person’s health while being pregnant. A pregnant woman who drinks excessively may experience bleeding ulcers, irritation of the stomach lining, and weight gain. People with alcohol abuse often engage in risky sexual activity and drive when they shouldn’t.
Causes
Heavy drinking can cause a variety of symptoms, including an increased heartbeat, nausea, fatigue, and anxiety. Alcohol also damages internal organs, including the liver, and causes problems with its ability to regulate blood flow. Heavy drinkers also often experience tremors, panic attacks, and confusion, and may even experience hallucinations. A proper physical and psychological examination can help determine if alcohol abuse is the cause of these symptoms.
Drinking excessively can be a coping mechanism for problems in a person’s life. However, most people do not start drinking alcohol because they expect to become addicted. Some people start drinking alcohol due to life pressures, social pressure, or simply to relax. Some people are born with a genetic disposition toward alcohol abuse. If you’ve ever wondered what causes alcohol abuse, you may be surprised to learn that there are numerous contributing factors.
A study conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2019 shows that one in ten adults in the US has experienced heavy alcohol use in the past month. While it’s true that most young people who drink heavily have a social life, this trend is even more pronounced among young adults. Alcohol use is also linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, and stomach bleeding. Furthermore, drinking alcohol can lead to problems with high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep disorders, and unsafe sexual behavior.
While drinking alcohol is not a cause of alcoholic behavior, it can play a major role during high school and college. People who experience these periods of vulnerability are more likely to develop alcohol abuse disorders. Another contributing factor is age. Many studies have shown that alcohol abuse can start at an early age. Statistically, approximately 2000 underage people die each year because they were driving drunk. Therefore, it is important to understand the causes of alcohol abuse and how they interact.
While medicine can treat alcohol addiction, it is most effective when combined with counseling. Talk therapy seeks to identify the causes of alcohol abuse and helps the individual work through them. In addition, 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous help people identify the underlying issues that may have caused them to become addicted to alcohol. These programs offer emotional support and help from other addiction sufferers. When people seek treatment for alcoholism, they often find that it’s easier to overcome a problem than they ever thought possible.
Treatment
The use of pharmaceutical treatments is not without risk. Medications for alcoholism are not without side-effects, so a comprehensive plan is necessary. Fortunately, there are now FDA-approved drugs that help reduce the effects of alcohol and other drugs. But what are the best treatments? Here are some suggestions. Medications for alcoholism can have unpleasant side effects and should be used only as a supplement to an overall treatment plan.
Inpatient and outpatient treatment options can vary in intensity. An inpatient treatment program involves twenty-four-hour care and is often medically directed. An outpatient care program involves counseling and a lower-intensity alternative. Inpatient care is medically-directed and can involve counseling and medications. A 12-step program involves establishing a sponsor and surrendering to a higher power. Both forms of treatment aim to help the alcoholic develop healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy can be conducted one-on-one with a therapist or in a small group. It focuses on developing the individual’s ability to change drinking habits by changing their thought processes. It also focuses on developing skills to deal with everyday situations and to manage stress. Those who undergo this treatment are more likely to succeed in achieving abstinence than those who do not. A good healthcare provider can help you determine which treatment option is best for you.
Depending on your situation, you can choose from an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. Inpatient treatment typically lasts for thirty to ninety days. During this time, the individual is given access to medical professionals and other resources in a secure environment. On the other hand, outpatient treatment involves weekly sessions with a therapist and is more convenient for people who have commitments outside of the hospital. Inpatient treatment is a good option for people who have a busy schedule and are unable to commit to a full-time program.
While there are many different types of alcoholism treatment, there are three main approaches. Some are behavioral and some are non-behavioral. Behavioral approaches are most common in alcoholism treatment programs. The goal of these programs is to change drinking habits through counseling. Health professionals conduct the counseling sessions and combine it with other treatments to maximize the chances of success. They are effective and are supported by studies. And some of them are more effective than others.
Recovery
Understanding addiction is key for long-term recovery from alcohol or drug abuse. For some people, the underlying causes of their problem are hidden and cannot be understood. A counselor or therapist can help you work through your feelings and identify these reasons. Therapists may use techniques such as Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, or CBT to guide you towards the best possible recovery. Depending on your situation, psychotherapy may be an excellent way to recover from alcohol abuse.
Detoxification is another essential part of alcohol abuse treatment. Detoxification is a process that helps rid the body of residual toxins and allows the alcoholic to begin working on the recovery process. Once abstinent from alcohol for a period of time, detoxification can be completed. After undergoing detoxification, it is important to build a sober lifestyle to prevent relapse. Recovery from alcohol abuse is best accomplished when the addiction is treated as a mental health issue, as these two conditions are complementary.
An outpatient program offers many of the benefits of a residential program, but allows the recovering alcoholic to continue living in their home environment. People who have a supportive environment at home often find outpatient treatment the best option. However, the cost of inpatient treatment can be prohibitive for some people. Outpatient treatment is often the preferred choice of those who want to maintain their sobriety while staying home. This type of treatment may be more suitable for people who have a family environment and are in a position to attend meetings.
While the effects of alcohol abuse can be mitigated, recovery is still not an easy process. The effects of abstinence are often not complete, but the positive effects of stopping drinking can outweigh the negative effects of relapsing. Alcohol abuse can impact your social life and career and may lead to the loss of a job or relationship. Once alcohol abuse is addressed, a person can resume functioning and develop productive lives.
