Amaha / / /
Addiction
Published on
16th Jun 2022
Studies show that over 85% of all adults have consumed alcohol at some point in their lives. For a lot of people, alcohol is a normal part of entering adulthood. But, for some people, alcohol use can turn into dependence & overtime, lead to addiction. There are several factors that play a role here, but the most important thing to remember is that alcohol use disorder is not a choice - it is a disease - and it is treatable.
Although the exact cause of alcohol use disorder is unknown, there are certain factors that may increase your risk for developing this disease. The specific cause of alcohol use disorder remains unknown, however, science has come a long way in understanding what makes some people more susceptible to the condition than others. Here are the most common risk factors:
Other factors that increase the likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder are:
In essence, there are four stages of addiction, which are:
While it is easy to think that one can just stop drinking, the reality is much more nuanced. Suddenly cutting the body from alcohol (known as going cold turkey) can cause severe physical problems for you.
As the body is dependent on alcohol during addiction, any disruption can cause severe consequences on your body, such as:
It is a common myth that alcohol use disorder is a choice. It is a physical illness, and just like any physical illness, it can be treated under the guidance of a medical and/or mental health professional. In a study of over 4,400 individuals with alcohol abuse disorder, it has been found that over 35% entered recovery, which means that they either stopped drinking completely, or they do not drink to problematic levels. Out of this, 18% of people stopped drinking completely.
There are several options for people seeking to get better from alcohol use disorder, such as:
Some treatment options may work well for some people, whereas some may not have any effect. Every individual is different, so it is important not to lose hope if one treatment does not work for you.
Before starting the treatment for alcohol use disorder, it is critical to consider the various aspects that get you ready to enter treatment. Getting support from family, friends, and other loved ones can be a very significant factor that can help you get ready to enter the process of recovery. You also need to mentally prepare yourself through therapy, to start the process of treatment.
The first step towards the treatment of alcohol use disorder is detoxification. In this stage, the body gets rid of all the alcohol in its system. Detoxification can be physically demanding for some people, as they may experience withdrawal symptoms. For some people, it may be extremely easy. This depends on the duration (how long the addiction has been going on) and the severity of the addiction. Detox is usually conducted under strict medical supervision. The individual undergoing detoxification is given medicines to counter withdrawal symptoms and reduce discomfort.
After detoxification, the individual will start the rehabilitation process. This is where the real healing begins. Think of rehab as a place where the individual will learn how to live without alcohol. They are taught healthier ways to cope with negative emotions and given round the clock care. The length of rehab varies and can range from 30 days to 90 days.
Therapy is a crucial part of recovery from alcohol use disorder. Going to therapy addresses the root cause of most addictions. These may arise from using alcohol as a way to cope with negative emotions like sadness and stress, using it as a way to escape reality, and so on. There are many kinds of therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and so on.
It is always important to remember that alcohol use disorder is an illness, not a choice. It is to be treated as such.
Alcohol Detox. (2022, April 26). Alcohol Rehab Guide. https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/treatment/alcohol-detox/
Alcohol Intoxication Symptoms, Treatment, Signs, Blood Alcohol Levels. (2020, April 3). eMedicineHealth. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/alcohol_intoxication/article_em.htm
Alcohol’s Effects on the Body | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (n.d.). NIAAA. Retrieved June 15, 2022, from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body#:%7E:text=Alcohol%20interferes%20with%20the%20brain’s,clearly%20and%20move%20with%20coordination.
Juergens, J., & Parisi, T. (2021, October 20). Alcohol Detox: The First Step of Alcoholism Treatment. Addiction Center. https://www.addictioncenter.com/alcohol/detox/
Connect with expert therapists and psychiatrists on Amaha to begin your journey to improved mental health. We’re here to support you, every step of the way.
Share this article with someone who might need.