Alcoholism, or alcohol addiction, is a medical disorder where a person develops a dependence on alcohol due to frequent drinking.
Statistics reveal that 1.4 percent of the global population suffers from alcohol use disorder (AUD). In the US alone, 1 in every 12 men, and 22 women alike, struggle with alcohol dependence.
It has been noted that a good percentage of this population belongs to middle-aged adults. However, it is not uncommon for high schoolers and college students to develop drinking problems.
But why the sudden rise in alcohol stats over the years? Some factors have been attributable to alcohol addiction, such as:
Risk factors that lead to alcohol dependence
Family history
It is not strange news to hear of families struggling with alcoholism near you.
Studies reveal that AUD is a genetic disorder that can be passed from one family member to the next through the presence of alcohol metabolism genes; ADH1B and ALDH2, which pose as risk factors for the disease.
However, genetics alone are not enough to lead to addiction, they only articulate for half the risk.
Physical or emotional trauma
Individuals who have undergone tragic life events may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in turn, use alcohol to numb the pain. At this point, one becomes susceptible to alcoholism as they chase the ‘high’.
Mental health issues
Patients suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other related mental disorders are at a greater risk of developing AUD. They are also at a high risk of other substance use disorders in an attempt to self-medicate and deal with their condition.
Age
Well, sometimes people drink simply because they are of age, especially if one is raised in a family of alcohol users. Drinking at an early age predisposes one to addiction at later stages of their life.
Binge drinking
Taking increased amounts of alcohol in one sitting predisposes your body to high toxicity and raises your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels.
As a result, the body might be unable to metabolize a large amount of alcohol at a go which eventually alters the brain’s functioning.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a single session of binge drinking is enough to alter one’s immune system and cause acute pancreatitis in individuals with existing pancreatic damage. Therefore, it is rather less damaging to consume smaller doses daily.
How much alcohol is too much?
Knowing your alcohol threshold limit for harmful drinking will help reduce the risk of developing alcohol dependence.
Research by NIAAA describes moderate alcohol consumption to be 2 drinks for men and 1 drink for women per day. These thresholds differ based on sex due to certain biological factors, such as metabolism, among others.
In addition, it is equally important to know the contents of your drink. For instance, a standard drink poses a low risk to AUD and contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. Normally, women can safely consume one standard drink a day while their male counterparts two.
How long to get addicted to alcohol?
There is no specific timeline for when AUD would hit. This period differs depending on the above-mentioned risk factors and the individual.
As your alcohol tolerance levels increase, so do the chances of developing alcohol dependence. Therefore, it is not a one size fits all situation.
However, you can always monitor alcohol addiction by checking for any of the following signs and symptoms among you or your loved ones:
Signs of alcohol addiction
- Progressive drinking from morning to evening.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms in case of changes in your drinking routine. Such alcohol withdrawal symptoms include irritability, sweating, seizures, hallucinations, lack of sleep, nausea, and a rapid heart rate.
- A growing alcohol tolerance over time.
- Frequently using alcohol as an escape from your problems.
- Always yarning for the next ‘high’ and satisfying it no matter the cost; wastage of finances, broken relationships, or even the loss of a job.
Alcoholism occurs progressively in stages up to a full-blown condition, AUD, where you experience no control over your drinking.
Stages of alcoholism
Pre-alcoholic stage
This is the very first stage of alcoholism where one engages in social drinking, testing different kinds of alcohol and possibly testing their limits.
Episodes of binge drinking are quite common as the tolerance slowly builds up.
Early-alcoholic stage
Here, drinking is more frequent as the tolerance grows further. Blackouts are prevalent in this stage, accompanied by constant cravings and instances of drinking in secret.
Due to the growing urge, one might feel ashamed of their drinking habits but would still be unable to quit.
Mid-alcoholic stage
At this stage, alcohol consumption gets out of hand and interferes with your daily activities.
For instance, you may begin to lose your family, be at loggerheads with workmates and also try quitting repeatedly with no success.
The physical effects of alcohol on your health are also visible in lab tests and scans.
End-stage alcoholism
This is a full-blown alcoholic stage where nothing else matters other than your drink. Alcohol is a top priority.
You will be ready to go to severe extents to get a drink. Additionally, acute damage to body organs can be seen in test results.
This stage is fatal if it goes untreated. For more knowledge on end-stage alcoholism, click here.
Is alcohol use disorder treatable?
Yes. AUD is treatable as long as the addict is willing to quit drinking. For this reason, the first step of treatment would be to admit that you need help.
Depending on the severity of your alcoholism, an appropriate treatment program is selected by the rehabilitation institution getting you help. It might be an in-patient or out-patient treatment plan.
A treatment plan may include one or all of the following:
- Engaging in support groups with other alcoholics can help eliminate loneliness and encourage one on the journey to sobriety. Finding an AA meeting near your area of residence would suit your convenience.
- Counseling sessions with a professional can help alleviate the root factor behind your alcoholism. With a mental health counselor, any preexisting mental health issues and disorders will be addressed accordingly.
- Use of an appropriate detox medical program that will help manage withdrawal symptoms by using Topiramate and Gabapentin.
As you or your loved one undergoes treatment, it is vital to keep in mind that no recovery plan is perfect and relapse is also part of recovery.
