Lena Savoie
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol addiction, alcohol misuse, or alcohol dependence, is a common medical condition. It is characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol consumption despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. While the term alcoholic is no longer used in medical contexts, it is still used by some people in recovery from alcohol dependence. Alcoholism is diagnosed as alcohol use disorder (AUD), which can range from mild to severe. AUD is diagnosed when drinking causes health problems, distress, or other harm in a person's life. Treatment for AUD includes medication, behavioural therapy, and support groups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol use disorder | Alcoholism is a type of alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. |
| Addiction | Alcoholism is classified as an addiction, with a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink. |
| Dependence | Alcoholics are dependent on alcohol and feel they are unable to function without it. |
| Binge drinking | Alcoholics often engage in binge drinking, consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period. |
| Family history | A strong familial predisposition increases the likelihood of alcoholism. |
| Genetics | Genetics play a role in alcoholism, with hereditability accounting for approximately 60%. |
| Age | Drinking at an early age increases the risk of developing AUD. |
| Stress | Chronic stress from work, relationships, or financial worries may lead individuals to self-medicate with alcohol. |
| Peer influence | Spending time with people who engage in heavy or frequent drinking can encourage similar habits. |
| Withdrawal symptoms | Alcoholics may experience withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, and a racing heart when not drinking. |
| Negative consequences | Alcoholics may continue to drink despite negative consequences on their work, school, relationships, or health. |
| Treatment | Alcoholism can be treated with behavioural therapies, mutual-support groups, and medications. |
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What You'll Learn
- Alcohol use disorder: A person's brain chemistry changes, leading to addiction
- Genetic and environmental factors: Family history and peer influence increase risk
- High-stress lifestyle: Self-medicating with alcohol to cope with stress
- Binge drinking: Drinking large amounts in one sitting, a pattern seen in young adults
- Withdrawal symptoms: Physical and mental symptoms when reducing or stopping alcohol
Alcohol use disorder: A person's brain chemistry changes, leading to addiction
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe, and is considered a brain disorder. Lasting changes in the brain caused by alcohol misuse perpetuate AUD and make individuals vulnerable to relapse.
Alcohol produces pleasurable or rewarding effects by increasing activity in brain systems related to reward processing. In the basal ganglia, activation of opioid receptors in the nucleus accumbens may be responsible for some of the pleasure associated with alcohol intoxication. Alcohol also causes the ventral tegmental area to send dopamine signals to the nucleus accumbens. Dopamine is critical for learning to associate alcohol and its related cues with the rewarding effects of alcohol. This learning process can lead to "incentive salience," a motivation for reward driven by a person's current physiological state. This transition from incentive salience toward habitual responding, mediated by changes in brain circuitry, can make it more likely that someone will continue their drinking pattern and find it harder to stop.
The process of becoming addicted is thus accompanied by a shift in drinking motivation from positive reinforcement to negative reinforcement, during which drinking is motivated by attempts to reduce the emotional discomfort of acute and protracted withdrawal. Alcohol initially reduces, then promotes, negative emotional states and pain. Alcohol may temporarily reduce negative emotional states by dampening activity in the extended amygdala, which mediates the fight or flight stress response and helps people learn to associate certain cues with danger or threat. Although alcohol initially suppresses activity in the extended amygdala and reduces stress responses, excessive alcohol use can lead to tolerance and the need to drink more to find relief.
Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to changes in the brain's structure and function, affecting neurotransmitter systems. These changes can result in long-term alterations in mood, cognition, and behaviour, even after alcohol use has ceased. Alcohol alters brain chemistry, affecting neurotransmitters that regulate mood, cognition, and behaviour. These changes can contribute to mood swings, impaired judgment, and difficulty in managing emotions, further complicating existing mental health issues.
The adaptability, or plasticity, of the brain is central to the development of addiction, as well as to the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments and to the neurological and psychological improvements in recovery.
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Genetic and environmental factors: Family history and peer influence increase risk
While the exact cause of alcoholism is unknown, a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is characterised by a person's impaired ability to stop or control their alcohol consumption despite adverse consequences.
Genetics play a significant role in AUD, with hereditability accounting for approximately 50 to 60 per cent of a person's risk. Having an immediate family member, such as a parent or sibling, with AUD increases an individual's chances of developing the disorder by three to four times. This is because, in addition to genes, certain familial behaviours and psychological factors can be inherited and influence an individual's relationship with alcohol. For example, children of alcoholic parents may witness and internalise their parents' drinking habits, normalising excessive alcohol consumption and increasing their risk of developing AUD themselves.
However, it is important to note that a family history of alcoholism is not a guarantee that an individual will become an alcoholic. Many children of alcoholics do not develop drinking problems, even when growing up in troubled families. This suggests that while genetics and family history are significant factors, they are not the sole determinants of AUD.
In addition to genetics, peer influence can also play a substantial role in an individual's risk of developing AUD. Peer pressure and social norms can significantly impact drinking behaviours, especially during adolescence and young adulthood. Adolescents with peers who drink are more likely to consume alcohol themselves, influenced by direct pressure and indirect factors such as modelling and observational learning. Social anxiety has also been identified as a risk factor, as individuals may strive to match what they believe is the social norm within their peer group. This pressure to conform can lead to increased alcohol consumption and a higher risk of developing AUD.
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High-stress lifestyle: Self-medicating with alcohol to cope with stress
Alcoholism, or alcohol addiction, is a complex condition with no single cause. It is characterised by a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink, even when facing negative consequences. People with alcoholism may feel unable to function without alcohol, and it becomes a central factor in their lives.
High-stress lifestyles can be a contributing factor to alcoholism, as some individuals may turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication to cope with chronic stress. This self-medication can be a way to manage symptoms of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or stress. While it may provide temporary relief, self-medication with alcohol can lead to physical or psychological dependency and a range of negative consequences.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, many individuals experienced increased stress and uncertainty, which led to a rise in self-medication. Research by Bupa Global found that 52% of those surveyed globally were using alcohol, among other substances, to cope with poor mental health and relieve stress.
Signs of self-medicating with alcohol can include an increased reliance on alcohol to deal with specific stressors, such as work presentations or social engagements. Individuals may also experience a heightened sense of anticipation for their next drink or find it difficult to go without drinking for a day. Increased tolerance, where more alcohol is needed to achieve the desired effect, can also be a warning sign.
If left unaddressed, self-medicating with alcohol can lead to a range of negative consequences, including addiction, worsening of mood disorders, and increased health problems. It can also impact relationships, careers, finances, and legal status. Therefore, it is crucial to address the underlying causes of stress and find healthier coping mechanisms to manage it effectively.
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Binge drinking: Drinking large amounts in one sitting, a pattern seen in young adults
Binge drinking is a pattern of excessive drinking observed in young adults. It is defined for men as consuming five or more drinks in a row (in two hours or less) and four or more drinks for women. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 consume the most alcohol when they binge drink, with an average of about nine drinks in a two-hour period.
Binge drinking is a significant problem among young adults, with research indicating that those who start drinking heavily at a young age are more likely to develop alcohol problems later in life. A study that followed almost 1,000 adolescents from high school through age 24 found that those who were problem drinkers as teenagers grew into adults with drinking problems. Furthermore, young adults who engage in binge drinking are at risk of experiencing negative health consequences, such as impaired memory, increased risk of obesity, and heart problems. Binge drinking can also lead to poor academic performance, aggression, anti-social behaviour, and other high-risk behaviours such as driving while intoxicated.
Several factors contribute to binge drinking in young adults. Peer pressure and social influences play a significant role, as young adults are more likely to drink when their peers do. Family dynamics also influence underage drinking; teenagers whose parents allow them to drink are more likely to engage in riskier drinking behaviours and experience more negative consequences. Additionally, genetics and family history are important considerations, as a personal or family history of alcohol misuse can increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterised by a person's impaired ability to stop or control their alcohol consumption despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder that can be mild, moderate, or severe, and it can be effectively treated with behavioural therapies, mutual-support groups, and medications. Young adults who engage in binge drinking may be at risk of developing AUD, especially if they drink at an early age or have a genetic predisposition.
If you or someone you know is struggling with binge drinking or alcohol addiction, it is important to seek professional help. Support is available through healthcare providers, therapists, and mutual-support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. It is crucial to address binge drinking and alcohol addiction early on to prevent long-term health and social consequences.
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Withdrawal symptoms: Physical and mental symptoms when reducing or stopping alcohol
Alcoholism, or alcohol addiction, is a serious form of high-risk drinking characterised by a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink. It is a recognised medical condition, known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), which can be mild, moderate, or severe. AUD is characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.
Alcohol withdrawal refers to the symptoms that may occur when a person who has been drinking heavily on a regular basis suddenly stops drinking alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, with the most severe being life-threatening. They can include both physical and mental symptoms, such as:
- Sleep changes, including insomnia and trouble sleeping
- Mood changes, including irritability, dysphoria (feeling uneasy or unhappy), and malaise (a general sense of being unwell)
- Anxiety, nervousness, or restlessness
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Hyperthermia (high body temperature)
- Tremors or shakiness
- Excessive sweating
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Racing heart or palpitations
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within six to 24 hours of stopping or significantly decreasing heavy, long-term alcohol use, and they tend to peak within 24 to 72 hours. However, some people experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia and mood changes, that can last for weeks or even months.
If you or someone you know is experiencing alcohol withdrawal, it is important to seek medical help. Treatment options include medication, therapy, counselling, and support groups.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol addiction, alcohol misuse, or alcohol dependence, is a common medical condition. People with this condition are unable to stop drinking, even when drinking affects their health, safety, and personal relationships. Alcoholism is often characterised by a strong, uncontrollable desire to drink.
There are several signs that may indicate that a person is struggling with alcoholism. These include:
- Drinking in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that could cause harm to oneself or others.
- Experiencing physical and psychological dependence on alcohol, leading to impaired control over drinking behaviour.
- Increased tolerance, where more alcohol is needed to achieve the desired effect.
- Withdrawal symptoms when reducing or stopping alcohol consumption, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, or a racing heart.
- Giving up or reducing important activities in favour of drinking.
- Continuing to drink despite the negative consequences on health, relationships, or other aspects of life.
There is no single cause of alcoholism, and it can affect individuals from various backgrounds and age groups. However, certain factors can increase the risk of developing alcoholism or alcohol use disorder (AUD):
- Genetic predisposition and family history of alcohol problems.
- Drinking at an early age.
- High-stress lifestyle, where individuals may self-medicate with alcohol.
- Peer group and social influences, where frequent exposure to heavy drinking can encourage similar habits.
