Alcohol addiction causes changes in the body and brain, and long-term alcohol abuse can have devastating effects on your health, your career, and your relationships. Alcoholics go through physical withdrawal when they stop drinking, just like drug users experience when they quit. It takes tremendous strength and courage to face alcohol abuse and alcoholism head on.
Reaching out for support is the second step. Whether you choose to go to rehab, rely on self-help programs, get therapy, or take a self-directed treatment approach , support is essential. Recovering from alcohol addiction is much easier when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance. Those problems could include depression , an inability to manage stress , an unresolved trauma from your childhood, or any number of mental health issues.
But you will be in a healthier position to finally address them and seek the help you need. Admitting a loved one has a problem with alcohol can be painful for the whole family, not just the person drinking. There is help and support available for both you and your loved one. The choice is up to them.
You may also benefit from joining a group such as Al-Anon, a free peer support group for families coping with alcoholism. Listening to others with the same challenges can serve as a tremendous source of comfort and support. Discovering your child is drinking can generate fear, confusion, and anger in parents. Explain your concerns and make it clear that your concern comes from a place of love.
Lay down rules and consequences: Your teen should understand that drinking alcohol comes with specific consequences. Encourage other interests and social activities. Expose your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports, Scouts, and after-school clubs. Talk to your child about underlying issues.
Drinking can result from other problems. Is your child having trouble fitting in? Has there been a recent major change, like a move or divorce, which is causing stress? Whether you want to cut back or stop drinking altogether, there are plenty of steps you can take to help yourself regain control of both your drinking and your life. Read: Overcoming Alcohol Addiction.
Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders. American Psychiatric Association. The Lancet. Psychiatry 5, no. Lifetime Perspective on Alcohol and Brain Health. BMJ December 4, : m Grant, Bridget F. Stinson, Deborah A. Dawson, S. Patricia Chou, Mary C. Dufour, Wilson Compton, Roger P. Pickering, and Kenneth Kaplan. Archives of General Psychiatry 61, no. Chung, T. Adolescent Alcohol Use. Brown Eds. Oxford University Press. Rethinking Drinking — Tools to help you check your drinking patterns, identify signs of a problem, and cut back.
National Institutes of Health. Alcohol Alert — Effects of alcohol on the brain, including blackouts and memory lapses. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol Poisoning — How to recognize the signs and help someone. Mayo Clinic. What is Substance Abuse Treatment? National Institute on Aging. Overcoming Addiction: Find an effective path toward recovery — Find an effective path toward recovery.
Special health report from Harvard Medical School. According to reports published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 37 percent of alcohol abuse have at least one serious mental illness. Approximately 50 percent of people living with mental health conditions use addictive substances like drugs and alcohol. Alcoholics who drink as a form of self-medication might:. Alcoholics who self-medicate also drink to experience and enhance pleasure. Here at Genesis Recovery, we know that there are many reasons why people misuse and abuse alcohol.
We also know that regardless of the reasons why people drink, alcoholism can be treated and that alcoholics can begin again. Our holistic approach to treating alcohol addiction includes four key components: clinical support, the step program, lifestyle activities, and practices to nurture the soul, and a faith-based community.
Long-term sobriety is possible. Let us help you get there. Call us today at if you, a loved one, or a close friend have alcohol addiction challenges. Why Do Alcoholics Drink? Call now: What is Alcoholism? But researchers have narrowed down some of the common reasons alcoholics drink, which include: 1.
A Genetic Predisposition to Drinking According to a study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAAA , genetic factors account for 40 to 60 percent of the difference between people who have a risk for alcoholism and those who do not. A Chemical Imbalance The brain has a delicate balance of chemicals called neurotransmitters. Looking to Avoid Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Most alcoholics drink to satisfy cravings and avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
If someone close to you is displaying signs of alcohol addiction, it can be difficult to know what to do. Talk honestly with your loved one about their drinking, and try to persuade them to see a doctor. It can be very difficult for alcoholics to admit they have a problem but being supportive, open and non-judgemental can make them feel safe.
If you accompany someone to an appointment, try to get a simple explanation for the person in simple language about the illness, the long-term effects and the options for recovery. Ask how you can best support the person; perhaps request an out of hours emergency telephone number — that may make you feel safer. How to help someone else. If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol there is a lot of help available.
Here you can find useful links and phone numbers to get the support you need. Arming yourself with strategies and tips can help you or a loved one take small steps towards big results. Specialist Treatment. Home Facts Health effects of alcohol Mental health Alcoholism. Alcoholism: signs, symptoms and treatment Are you concerned that you or someone you know may be an alcoholic? On this page.
What is alcoholism? What are the signs or symptoms of alcoholism? How to treat alcoholism In many cases, the first step of treating alcoholism is acknowledging there is a problem. A doctor will diagnose alcoholism when three or more of the following have been present together in the past year 1 : An overwhelming desire to drink An inability to stop or to control harmful drinking Withdrawal symptoms when stopping drinking Evidence of alcohol tolerance Pursuing the consumption of alcohol to the exclusion of alternative pleasures Continuing to drink despite clear evidence of harmful consequences There are different treatments available for people diagnosed with alcoholism but a key stage of treatment is detoxification.
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