Facts About Addiction to Alcohol

When thinking of drug addictions, alcohol is not a substance that is likely to come to mind. Even though alcohol is legal for adults in America, and considered culturally and socially acceptable in certain situations, alcohol abuse can lead to addiction with serious health and lifestyle consequences.

Definition

• Alcohol addiction can be defined as a compulsive and overwhelming need for alcohol. People who are addicted to alcohol can not control their drinking, and may binge drink, which means they consume about five drinks in less than a two hour period. Alcohol addiction is defined by the Journal of the American Medical Association as "a primary, chronic disease characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking." The American Psychiatric Association also recognizes the condition as a psychological disease.

Causes

• Alcohol addiction is caused by drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and being unable to control alcohol intake. Though there are no set preconditions that definitively determine if someone is going to develop alcohol addiction, there are some risk factors that may make people more likely to become addicted to alcohol. For example, there is some evidence that people who have alcoholics in their family may be more likely to develop alcohol addictions themselves if they choose to drink. Other risk factors include traumatic experiences in a person's past and a person's upbringing or culture.

Effects

• Alcohol addiction can cause serious health consequences, especially if it continues long-term. Too much alcohol at once can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can cause brain damage and organ failure. This addiction can also harm circulatory function and impair immune system ability. Depression is linked to alcohol abuse, and alcohol is frequently present in cases of suicide and murder. Alcohol addiction can also cause liver damage and possible liver failure.

Treatment

• The first step in treating alcohol addiction is finding the will power and resolve to stop drinking and make major life changes. Any addiction is difficult to overcome alone, and there are many support groups for people struggling to overcome alcohol addiction. Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly referred to as AA, has local branches in many cities. Groups like this provide a non-judgmental place for people to come together and support each other through the difficult process of overcoming addiction. Severe alcohol addiction can lead to withdrawal and some people may benefit from checking into an alcohol rehabilitation center.

Withdrawals

• Making the decision to overcome an alcohol addiction is an excellent first step, and it is important to stay strong and seek out help in making it through alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal, which happens when a person suddenly breaks an addiction and her body is detoxing, has miserable and frightening symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal lasts from one to three weeks, and includes anxiety, tremors, hallucination, convulsions and possibly even heart failure. Breaking an alcohol addiction is a difficult and painful process, but the benefits of quitting outweigh the risks. It is important to find a good support group or rehabilitation center to help manage the difficulties of quitting and restarting life healthy and free of addiction.