Alcoholism Definition, Causes, & Associated Diseases

Health, safety and socioeconomic problems attributable to alcohol can be reduced when governments formulate and implement appropriate policies. The first step toward recovery is to acknowledge that there is an alcohol dependency problem. If a health worker suspect alcohol may be a problem, they may ask a series of questions. If the patient answers in a certain way, the doctor may then use a standardized questionnaire to find out more. For AUD to be diagnosed in the U.S., the individual must meet the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APS).

This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for medical advice. We understand that everyone’s situation is unique, and this content is to provide an overall understanding of substance use disorders. These disorders are very complex, and this post does not take into account the unique circumstances for every individual. For specific questions about your health needs or that of a loved one, seek the help of a healthcare professional. If a blood test reveals that the red blood cells have increased in size, it could be an indication of long-term alcohol misuse.

What Increases the Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder?

When alcohol addiction is discovered in its early stages, the chance for a successful recovery increases significantly. CDC also works with many national organizations, including the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), to prevent excessive drinking. CADCA, in turn, works with its member coalitions to translate effective strategies for preventing excessive alcohol use into practice at state and local levels. CDC also supports the Center for Advancing Alcohol Science to Practice to provide training and technical assistance to states and communities on effective strategies to reduce excessive drinking.

A small percentage of adults who drink account for half of the 35 billion total drinks consumed by US adults each year. CDC estimates that 1 in 6 US adults binge drinks [PDF – 171 KB], with 25% doing so at least weekly, on average, and 25% consuming at least 8 drinks during a binge occasion. Binge drinking is responsible for more than 40% of the deaths and three-quarters of the costs due to excessive alcohol use. States and communities can prevent binge drinking by supporting effective policies and programs, such as those recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force. Regardless if you or a person you love has an alcohol problem or has an alcohol addiction, they should find some form of treatment before their behaviors spiral out of control. Individuals with alcohol problems do not need to practice abstinence, per se, but they can usually benefit from therapy to uncover why they are drinking so much.

Drugs & Vitamins

An addiction to alcohol, or alcoholism, when diagnosed is called an alcohol use disorder (AUD). CDC’s Alcohol-Related Disease Impact application provides state and national estimates of deaths and years of potential life lost from excessive alcohol use. People who binge drink are more likely to have unprotected sex and multiple sex partners. These activities increase the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of injuries, including those from motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns. It increases the risk of violence, including homicide, suicide, and sexual assault.

Alcohol problems vary in severity from mild to life threatening and affect the individual, the person’s family, and society in numerous adverse ways. Despite the focus on illegal drugs of abuse such as cocaine, alcohol remains the number-one drug problem in the United States. Nearly 17 million adults in the U.S. are dependent on alcohol or have other alcohol-related problems, and about 88,000 people die from preventable alcohol-related causes. Alcoholism, excessive and repetitive drinking of alcoholic beverages to the extent that the drinker repeatedly is harmed or harms others. The harm may be physical or mental; it may also be social, legal, or economic.

Factors affecting alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm

Heart disease is currently one of the leading causes of death for alcoholics. An estimated 88,000 people die https://goodmenproject.com/everyday-life-2/top-5-tips-to-consider-when-choosing-a-sober-house-for-living/ each year from alcohol-related causes. It is the fourth leading preventable cause of death in America.

• Relating to other people with substance abuse issues may help someone break through denial and begin to recover.
• Alcohol is involved in 40% of motor-vehicle fatalities, 70% of drownings, 50% of suicides, and up to 40% of violent crimes, including homicide, rape, assault, and child and spousal abuse.
• Alcoholism is a chronic disease in part characterized by a preoccupation with alcohol.

In the past, a person with this condition was referred to as an “alcoholic.” However, this is increasingly seen as an unhelpful and negative label. Health professionals now say that a person has an alcohol use disorder (AUD). The concept of inveterate drunkenness as a disease appears to be rooted in antiquity. The Roman philosopher Seneca classified it as a form of insanity. The term alcoholism, however, appeared first in the classical essay “Alcoholismus Chronicus” (1849) by the Swedish physician Magnus Huss.

You may be prescribed medicines along with counseling and behavioral therapy to help you quit. While MAT doesn’t work for everyone, it is another option in treating the disorder. However, many people who drink too much find they can’t just cut back.

There is growing evidence for genetic and biologic predispositions for this disease. First-degree relatives of individuals with alcohol use disorder are four to seven times more likely to develop alcoholism than the general population. Research has implicated a gene (D2 dopamine receptor gene) that, when inherited in a specific form, How to Choose a Sober House: Tips to Focus on might increase a person’s chance of developing alcoholism. There are gender differences in alcohol-related mortality and morbidity, as well as levels and patterns of alcohol consumption. The percentage of alcohol-attributable deaths among men amounts to 7.7 % of all global deaths compared to 2.6 % of all deaths among women.

Many times, individuals are given a medication to help alleviate the painful side effects of a withdrawal. People may turn to alcohol for one reason and gradually develop a dependency on drinking. For example, drinking during difficult times – a death in the family or job loss – can potentially trigger long-term alcohol abuse.

Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and even life threatening. If you have been drinking a lot, you should cut back or stop drinking only under the care of a provider. These services are meant to manage withdrawal symptoms, minimize the risk of complications, as well as to address any medical or psychiatric conditions that may develop. Short-term effects of alcohol abuse can be just as dangerous as long-term effects.

When Should Someone Seek Medical Care for Alcoholism?

Treatment providers can connect you with programs that provide the tools to help you get and stay sober. Drinking too much – on a single occasion or long-term – can take a serious toll on your health. Some effects of alcohol may have a minor effect on your health, while others can be severe or life-threatening.

• Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and even life threatening.
• In popular and therapeutic parlance, the term may also be used to refer to ingrained drinking habits that cause health or social problems.
• A person who drinks excessive amounts of alcohol will often not be the first person to realize that this is so.
• Add alcoholism to one of your lists below, or create a new one.
• Alcohol dependence can have many serious effects on the brain, liver, and other organs of the body, some of which can lead to death.

Choosing to seek help for an alcohol addiction is one of the biggest decisions you will face. There are different forms of treatment available based on frequency of alcohol consumption and severity of alcohol abuse. Recovering from alcohol addiction is a process that continues long after rehab. It takes commitment to practice and applying the techniques you learn in rehab, counseling, support groups, and other types of therapy.