Alcohol Abuse and Dependence Alcohol Use Disorder

Many law-enforcement agencies regard a .08 percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream as evidence of intoxication. Larger amounts of blood alcohol can impair brain function and eventually cause unconsciousness. Nearly 100,000 Americans die each year as a result of alcohol misuse, and alcohol is a factor in more than half of the country’s homicides, suicides, and traffic accidents. Alcohol misuse also plays a role in many social and domestic problems, from job absenteeism and crimes against property to spousal and child abuse. Drinking in early teens are at a higher risk of developing alcohol dependence at some point in their lives. People with a family history of alcohol use disorders are at a higher risk.

Problem-solving is another mental function that gets affected when a person has been drinking alcohol for extended periods. They find it difficult to resolve issues and develop new ideas or solutions that may not have been present before they started consuming large amounts of ethanol. The sense organs also get affected by long-term use/abuse of alcoholic beverages. The nerve endings around our eyes, ears, etc., become so used to being exposed to large amounts of Alcohol that they get damaged themselves as well.

Physical effects of alcohol addiction on the brain

Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more likely you are to have bad effects. Alcohol intoxication causes behavior problems and mental changes.

They are dedicated to achieving sobriety before attempting to drink again without suffering from any consequences. Alcohol abuse can also lead to gastritis and ulcers, which are inflammations of the stomach lining. Chronic alcohol consumption will cause damage to this vital organ over time, resulting in severe health issues if not addressed immediately.

The Difference Between Psychological and Physical Addiction

Problem drinking has multiple causes, with genetic, physiological, psychological,and social factors all playing a role. For some alcohol abusers, psychological traits such as impulsiveness, low self-esteem and a need for approval prompt inappropriate drinking. Some individuals drink to cope with or “medicate” emotional problems. Social and environmental factors such as peer pressure and the easy availability of alcohol can play key roles.

Once you have all traces of the drug out of your system and you’re stable, you’ll be given treatment to address the psychological aspects of your addiction. Another notable difference is that most stimulant users will go through psychological withdrawal, rather than a physical one when they cease to use drugs. What this means, is that they will usually experience cravings and strong desires to use again. Conversely, if you are a regular user of stimulant drugs, it is entirely different. In sensitization, lesser amounts of a drug like cocaine can cause its effects to become intensified.

Careers

The goal of these why is alcohol addictives is to help patients identify harmful thoughts or behaviors and replace them with healthier coping mechanisms. These therapies may be held on an individual or group basis but should be individualized to meet each patient’s unique needs. Although detox usually lasts less than a week, addiction treatment programs might last anywhere from 30 days to several months depending on the severity of a person’s symptoms. Consequently, people suffering from psychological dependence will spend excess time obtaining drugs, using the drugs, and recovering from the side effects of the drugs. These individuals might neglect their responsibilities at work, home, or school in order to keep up their substance abuse.

To learn more about what makes alcohol addictive, or to explore treatment options near you, please contact a treatment specialist today. Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today. Most of us are aware of the dangers of alcohol and how addictive it can be.