Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder, is when someone has a drinking problem that becomes severe. Someone with alcoholism doesn’t know how to stop drinking or when to stop drinking.

They will usually spend a lot of their time thinking about alcohol and they won’t be able to control their alcohol consumption. An alcohol addict will continue to consume the substance even if it’s causing serious problems at work, at home, in their relationships, or financially.

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Warning Signs Of Alcoholism

There are several warning signs of alcoholism. The main symptoms of alcoholism that you can look out for include the following:

  • They drink alcohol alone or secretly drink alcohol
  • They won’t be able to control how much they drink
  • They will need more alcohol to feel the effects
  • They will have relationship problems, work problems, or problems with the law due to drinking
  • They may black out and won’t be able to remember certain things
  • They will drink very quickly to feel good
  • They may have rituals and become irritated if someone else comments on them such as drinking before meals, or immediately after work
  • They may store alcohol in unlikely places
  • They may lose interest in hobbies
  • They will feel irritable when drinking times are approaching
  • They will feel a constant urge to drink
  • They will engage in regular binge drinking

Alcoholism Causes And Risk Factors

It’s not always possible to determine what exactly causes alcohol addictions. Some people will use alcohol as a way of escaping certain feelings of stress or other negative feelings and will become addicted to the temporary high.

There are some risk factors that may make someone more likely to become addicted to alcohol, including the following:

Genes

Some genetic factors can make some people more likely to develop an alcohol addiction and people with addicts in the family are usually more likely to develop addictions themselves.

The age of their first alcoholic drink

Studies suggest that people who start drinking before the age of 15 may be more likely to have drinking problems later in their life.

Easy access

If you have easy access to alcohol, this can make you more likely to develop a drinking problem.

Stress

When someone is very stressed or anxious, they may start to consume alcohol as a way of coping with these feelings.

Peer drinking

People who are surrounded by friends or family members who drink regularly or excessively may eventually have alcohol-related problems themselves.

Low self-esteem

It is suggested that people with low self-esteem are more likely to consume too much alcohol.

Depression

People who have depression may use alcohol as self-treatment, however, consuming alcohol can increase the risk of depression.

There is no specific reason why people become addicted to alcohol. Every addict has a different story about how they got to the position they’re in.

The Effects of Alcohol and Binge Drinking

Alcohol can have many effects on both your physical health and mental health. This can include the following:

Brain effects

Alcohol dependency interferes with the communication pathways in your brain and can affect how the brain works. The changes can affect a person’s mood, behaviours, and can make it harder for them to think clearly.

Heart effects

Heavy drinking over a long time can cause damage to the heart and various issues can come such as an irregular heartbeat, cardiomyopathy, a stroke, or high blood pressure.

Liver effects

Heavy drinking can have a bad effect on the liver and can cause effects such as steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis.

Pancreas effects

Drinking alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances and this can lead to dangerous inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels within the pancreas and prevents proper digestion.

Cancer risks

Alcohol abuse can increase the chances of cancers such as head and neck cancer, liver cancer, oesophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.

Immune system problems

Drinking too much can weaken the immune system and make it harder for your to overcome illnesses or make you more likely to pick up illnesses.

Mental health issues

Alcoholism can cause various mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Addicts will have many withdrawal symptoms when they go without alcohol for a while. Below is a list of withdrawal symptoms that you may experience if you stop drinking:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Anxiety
  • Shaky hands
  • Sweating
  • Insomnia
  • Headache
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures
  • Delirium tremens
  • Dehydration
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Angry or nervous behaviour
  • Sweating
  • Lack of sleep

Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options

There are many treatment options for those with alcohol addictions. Below is a list of the most effective ones:

Behavioural treatments

These are aimed at changing drinking behaviours through counselling sessions such as cognitive behavioural therapy and talking therapy.

Medications

Prescription medications can help assist with withdrawal symptoms when detoxing from alcohol.

Support groups

These groups provide peer-to-peer support for people who are recovering from alcohol addictions and allow you to receive support from others who are going through the same things you are.

How We Can Help

If you are looking to change your life and recover from your alcohol misuse, we are here to help. A simple phone call could change your life. Contact us today on 0151 268 6992 and a member of a team will be happy to discuss your addiction with you and answer any questions you may have about alcohol rehab and recovering from alcohol addiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during alcohol detoxification?
When detoxing, you will experience a range of negative withdrawal symptoms. In rehab, you will be constantly monitored and may be given medication to help ease the withdrawal symptoms.
How do I convince a friend to get help?
You should never blame your friend or force them to get help. Instead, explain to them about the negative effect that their addiction is having on them and those around them and provide them with some information on the benefits of a rehab treatment plan. You may even want to show them some rehab treatment centres so they can physically see what rehab is like.
How do I achieve long term sobriety?
The most effective way to stay sober is through rehab treatment for alcohol, followed by an aftercare plan that focusses on preventing relapse.

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: October 18, 2022

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.