The sooner you seek treatment for alcohol addiction, the better the long-term outcomes. Alcohol is an addictive substance, and misuse can lead to the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD).1 No one sets out to have an addiction, but https://ecosoberhouse.com/ one can form relatively easily and quickly when certain factors are in place. And it hits at a psychological level, leaving the person unable to function without it.

Starting Treatment

Detoxification is the first crucial step in treating alcohol use disorder. Understanding the stages of alcohol detoxification helps prepare individuals for the process and what to expect. Our contemporary understanding of AUD is of a medical condition characterized by changes in mood, behavior, and even brain chemistry and structure. While alcohol is legal for individuals over the age of 21, it is a mind-altering substance that has a high risk of misuse and addiction.

• People may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with trauma or other, often unrecognized psychological disorders.
• The chance of developing any health problem is related to the genetic code we are born with.
• Chronic alcohol use can lead to a range of adverse outcomes that contribute to the cycle of addiction.
• He believes in the value of hard work and dedication to overcoming mental illness and will help his patients to achieve their mental health goals.

Why Is Alcohol Addictive?

Drug and alcohol rehab situated in a beautiful and calm location in Scotland. Drug and alcohol rehab in a beautiful residential area of Cassiobury Park, Watford. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Find a treatment center using the Psychology Today Therapy Directory. Alcohol use disorder is a chronic disease that often goes ignored by the millions in its grasp. Our helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no cost to you and with no obligation for why is alcohol so addicting you to enter into treatment.

How Bad is Alcohol for Your Body?

• We will explore the world of neurotransmitters, endorphins, genetics, and sociological reasoning to figure out why alcohol is addictive.
• Over time, consuming alcohol can adversely affect your brain function and your physical strength, leaving you less capable of confronting the problems you began with.
• Alcohol use disorder affects millions of people, but it often goes undetected.
• According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly 86% of adults in the United States have consumed alcohol at least once in their lives.
• The first option is to change one or more conflicting attitudes, behavior, or beliefs.

Alcohol use disorder can cause serious and lasting damage to your liver. When you drink too much, your liver has a harder time filtering the alcohol and other toxins from your bloodstream. When the first option doesn’t work, people tend to move on to the second option, which reduces the importance of one or more beliefs or attitudes. For example, you could attempt to undermine the importance of the belief “alcohol harms my health” with arguments such as “living in the moment,” “just one drink won’t hurt,” or “everyone drinks. It must not be that bad.” You don’t have to look far to see a billboard encouraging you to enjoy a cold, refreshing beer or a frosty margarita. And all this advertising has paid off big time for alcohol manufacturers and distributors.

These industries continue to grow and flourish, finding new and more creative ways to convince adults of all ages that drinking is a way to keep their lives exciting and fun. The problem with all these reasons is that easy access to alcohol fuels opportunities for AUD. When it’s socially acceptable and readily available, it’s harder to comprehend that alcohol is a drug, and consumption of it can lead to some very significant, dangerous consequences. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly 86% of adults in the United States have consumed alcohol at least once in their lives.

Early intervention is crucial for successful treatment and recovery. Inpatient treatment provides a structured and supportive environment for recovery. At our luxurious facility in Stowe, Vermont, individuals benefit from comprehensive care, including medical detox, therapy, and holistic treatments.

As a loved one of someone with an alcohol addiction, try to be encouraging and provide emotional support. Friends and family members of people who have an alcohol addiction can benefit from professional support or by joining programs like Al-Anon. In order for treatment to work, the person with an alcohol addiction must want to get sober. Regardless of how the addiction looks, someone typically has an alcohol addiction if they heavily rely on drinking and can’t stay sober for an extended period of time. Dr. Kate Smith is a licensed professional and has worked in the mental health and substance abuse disorder fields for over 10 years.

Drinking Alone as a Teen May Foreshadow Future Alcohol…

So, it is no surprise that once we start drinking, we often want to carry on. Using alcohol during adolescence (from preteens to mid-20s) may affect brain development, making it more likely that they will be diagnosed with AUD later in life. However, most people with AUD—no matter their age or the severity of their alcohol problems—can benefit from treatment with behavioral health therapies, medications, or both.

Research in animals shows that having more self-determination and control over one’s environment can help facilitate adaptive brain changes after ending substance use. Before it becomes problematic, why do people turn to alcohol in the first place? One is simply its rewarding consequences, such as having fun or escaping social anxiety. Having an impulsive personality plays into the decision to seek rewards despite negative repercussions. Another factor is stress, because alcohol can alleviate distressing emotions.