Alcoholism, also called alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder, is a chronic illness marked by a psychological and physical dependence on alcohol. People who struggle with alcoholism may drink excessively and uncontrollably, typically continuing to drink despite serious negative consequences. Alcoholism usually emerges slowly over time, starting with regular drinking and progressing to a point where the affected individual feels they can no longer function without alcohol.
Four main symptoms mark the difference between alcoholism and normal alcohol use:
- Craving – a strong need, or compulsion, to drink
- Loss of control – the inability to limit drinking on any given occasion
- Physical dependence – alcohol withdrawal symptoms (e.g., nausea, sweating, shakiness, anxiety) occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking
- Tolerance – the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get high
People who are not suffering from alcoholism may not understand why someone who is addicted to alcohol can’t just use willpower to stop drinking. But in reality, alcoholism has little to do with willpower. Those suffering from alcoholism experience an uncontrollable need for alcohol — a craving that can be as strong and deeply ingrained as the need for food or water. These cravings override an individual’s ability to stop drinking; they aren’t able to say no to alcohol, no matter the consequences.
Alcohol dependence is the most common substance addiction. In the U.S., nearly twice as many people have an alcohol use disorder than all other substance use disorders combined — according to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 14.5 million Americans over the age of 12 struggle with an alcohol use disorder, compared to 7.8 million illicit drug users.
While alcoholism can happen to anyone regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic status, certain groups have a higher risk of developing alcohol dependence. Statistics show that men, for example, are nearly twice as likely to become addicted to alcohol as women, and that Native American and Hispanic communities have higher rates of alcoholism relative to other ethnic groups. Some other factors may contribute to an individual’s likelihood of developing alcoholism, including those described below.
Genetics
Studies have shown that having an alcoholic family member makes it more likely you may develop alcoholism if you choose to drink. However, the mechanisms behind this are much more complicated than they sound. Scientists have identified many different genes that play a role in how your body processes alcohol, how alcohol affects your mood and whether you have other health concerns that might increase your risk. There is no genetic guarantee that you will or will not develop alcoholism, but you can use genetics to understand if you might be at a higher risk for abusing alcohol than other people.
Other Mental Health Disorders
It’s very common for individuals with a different mental health disorder, like severe depression or anxiety, a personality disorder or a compulsive disorder, to develop alcoholism. In these cases, people who struggle with a mental health disorder turn to alcohol to self-medicate; in other words, they drink to help themselves feel calmer, happier or more stable instead of seeking professional help. Once they start to rely on alcohol to avoid their symptoms, they become addicted. If you or your loved one is showing signs of a mental health disorder, you should never ignore symptoms or try to “tough it out.”
Environment
Alcoholism risk can increase based on the person’s environment, including where and how he or she lives; family, friends and culture; peer pressure; and how easy it is to obtain alcohol. If your friends or family are heavy drinkers, if many of the activities you participate in involve drinking or if you started drinking at an early age, it is more likely that you will develop alcohol addiction simply because you are drinking heavily or drinking often. If you are frequently around people who drink alcohol, it’s important to be aware of the signs of problematic drinking and to be supportive if someone expresses concern about their drinking habits.
There are many signs of alcoholism that you can look for in others or identify in yourself, but the best way to be sure that your drinking has become alcohol dependence or alcoholism is to talk to a doctor or counselor. If you are worried about yourself or a loved one, consider the following signs and make an appointment with a professional for further help.
You can begin by answering the four following questions:
- Have you ever felt or been told that you should cut down on your drinking?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
- Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
If you answered yes to one of these questions, you might have an alcohol problem. If you answered yes to multiple questions, it is likely that a problem exists. In addition, some of the top signs of problematic drinking can include:
- Drinking frequently — every day, or multiple times per day
- Drinking alone or at inappropriate times (e.g., in the morning or at work)
- Often drinking to the point of intoxication or “blacking out”
- Spending too much money on alcohol
- Allowing their alcohol use to interfere with important things like work, school or family
- Acting erratically, irrationally or violently when drunk
- Continuing to drink despite consequences like losing a job or getting in legal trouble
Whether you are worried about yourself or someone else, you should consult your healthcare provider or contact the recovery experts at Cumberland Heights. We can help determine whether you have a drinking problem and, if so, recommend the best course of action for recovery.
If you are beginning to think — or maybe you already know — that you need professional help for your drinking, you might be feeling overwhelmed. It can seem like there are too many options and steps to take before you can find a recovery center that feels safe and supportive. Perhaps you have been in alcohol rehab before, and you feel like nothing will ever work. But there are many resources to help you find the treatment that’s right for you. Your primary care doctor will be able to provide professional referrals; your insurance company may help identify cost-effective options; and, there are several government tools and hotlines that can help you find providers that meet your needs.
For most people who are struggling with alcoholism, a residential treatment program is the first step. There are also options for outpatient alcohol addiction treatment if an individual is unable to commit to living away from home. Sometimes, medically monitored detox is necessary to help an individual safely get through alcohol withdrawal symptoms without relapsing or harming themselves. Many treatment centers, Cumberland Heights included, offer detox treatment on-site so clients can transition directly into full-time recovery.
Most people spend about a month in residential care, though some programs — like the Extended Care Program at Cumberland Heights — offer longer stays if needed. During residential recovery, you will participate in a variety of therapeutic activities to help you adjust to sobriety, learn how to cope with your addiction in daily life and build healthy habits that don’t involve drinking. You will be living full-time in your treatment center, so you will have plenty of access to your care team and you will be in a safe, structured and substance-free environment where you can focus on getting better.
Once your time in a treatment program is complete, you will begin your transition back to everyday life. You’ll know you’re making progress toward lifelong recovery when you:
- Disassociate from people who use alcohol
- Open yourself to self-improvement and growth
- Actively work to improve personal relationships damaged by alcoholism
It’s important to remember that recovery from alcoholism is an ongoing process. You’ll need to work at staying sober, especially in times of stress or difficulty when you might be tempted to turn to alcohol to help. But with the tools you learn in addiction treatment, you’ll know what to do if you start to feel like you need a drink.
Cumberland Heights offers treatment programs based on the principles of the 12 Steps to help you maintain your sobriety. Abstinence is a lifelong process that usually requires ongoing support. There is no cure for the disease of addiction, and although medication can be a useful management tool, it is no substitute for a spiritual program of recovery. Focusing on healing your mind and spirit offers you a road to recovery that you can sustain on your own, making it possible for you to achieve long-term sobriety in independent life.
Brandon Antoskow, LPC-MHSP is the clinical coordinator in the Men’s Program at Cumberland Heights. He has been at Cumberland Heights for over three years, and enjoys watching the miracle of recovery take form each and every day. Brandon lives in Franklin, TN with his wife Kelsey and dog Cash.
