By adopting a long-term perspective and addressing the chronic nature of alcoholism, individuals can develop effective strategies for managing their disease and maintaining sobriety. Understanding the multiple factors that contribute to the chronicity of alcoholism is essential for developing effective treatment strategies. By addressing biological, psychological, and social factors, individuals in alcohol recovery can better manage https://ecosoberhouse.com/ their condition and work towards long-term sobriety. Moreover, social support systems can either hinder or facilitate recovery from alcoholism. Lack of supportive relationships, social isolation, and stressful social environments can impede an individual’s ability to overcome alcohol addiction and maintain long-term sobriety.

• These include increased heart rate, sweating, anxiety, tremors, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, and insomnia.
• It’s essential to seek professional assistance and support to address this condition and improve quality of life effectively.

Why Is Alcoholism Considered A Chronic Disease?

In general, alcohol consumption is considered too much—or unhealthy—when it causes health or social problems. This broad category of alcohol consumption comprises a continuum of drinking habits including at-risk drinking, binge drinking, and AUD. Friends gather for after-work drinks, spouses have cocktails together for “date nights” or some may just be in the habit of ending the day with a beer or a glass of wine—or two—or more. It can be hard to identify the lines between casual and occasional drinking and unhealthy alcohol use including alcohol use disorder. The disease model of addiction offers a lens to view alcoholism as something more.

Stimulant Use Disorder

These medications, such as naltrexone and acamprosate, can help reduce cravings and prevent relapse. Other medications, such as disulfiram, cause unpleasant side effects when alcohol is consumed, which can help deter people from drinking. The liver breaks down most of the alcohol in why is alcoholism considered a chronic disease? the body, and it can only handle so much at a time. Years of frequent, heavy alcohol use can cause inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis), fat buildup (fatty liver disease), scarring (cirrhosis), and permanent liver damage. Teenage brains are especially susceptible to the damaging effects of alcohol.

• Understanding the multiple factors that contribute to the chronicity of alcoholism is essential for developing effective treatment strategies.
• Some of these drugs help to reduce cravings or the effects caused by withdrawal.
• Drinking heavily over a long period can lead to chronic diseases and serious medical issues that significantly reduce both quality of life and life expectancy.
• Tim enjoys writing about addiction and recovery, this topic has personally affected him, fuelling his desire to help others.
• Therapy, support groups, and medications to assist in managing urges and avoiding relapse may be a part of this.

What Are the Symptoms of Alcoholism?

Alcohol is a known carcinogen, and long-term use increases the risk of several types of cancer, like head and neck, esophageal, liver, colorectal, and breast cancers. In 2010 alone, excessive alcohol consumption cost the US $249 billion, equal to $2.05 per drink. There is often a lack of understanding about alcohol dependency, leading to misconceptions and judgment towards those affected by it. This misunderstanding can perpetuate stigma and make it harder for individuals to seek help. Starting drinking at a young age greatly increases the chances of developing AUD later on. Research shows that those who begin drinking before 15 are more than three times as likely to report AUD within the past year than those who start at age 21 or older.

The earliest damage occurs in the frontal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory, decision making, behavior and executive function. “The AMA endorses the proposition that drug dependencies, including alcoholism, are diseases and that their treatment is a legitimate part of medical practice.” This explains why individuals who chronically abuse drugs or alcohol begin to appear lethargic, unmotivated and depressed, and report a lack of pleasure in things that were once pleasurable. To counter this, they increase their substance use in an attempt to feel the same pleasure they used to. This only exacerbates the problem, creating a vicious cycle of needing to take the drug in order to regain dopamine levels, then later needing to increase the dose, and so on, an effect known as tolerance.

• Chronic alcohol use can damage the liver and lead to a condition called cirrhosis, which is a progressive and irreversible scarring of the liver.
• According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), children with a family history of alcoholism are more likely to consume alcohol.
• This emphasizes the need for medical treatment and support rather than solely attributing alcohol misuse to personal choice.
• Alcohol can have detrimental effects on the body, leading to chronic diseases.

The Cycle of Addiction

• According to MedlinePlus, problem drinkers are more likely to experience negative consequences such as legal issues, financial problems, and relationship difficulties.
• In severe cases, withdrawal symptoms can lead to seizures and delirium tremens, which can be life-threatening.
• These consequences range from accidental injuries to worsened mental and physical health conditions to death.
• According to the theory, genes play a strong role in the development of alcoholism.
• The steps for understanding and treating alcohol abuse aren’t as straightforward, demanding a deeper dive into the murky waters of the illness paradigm of alcoholism.

We will discuss the various ways that alcoholism is diagnosed and treated further in this article. In some cases, it may be quite obvious that you or someone you know has developed a problem with alcohol. If you never expose your skin to the sun, you are far less likely to alcohol rehab develop skin cancer. If you never smoke a cigarette, you are far less likely to develop lung cancer. If the consequences of your behaviour around alcohol remained the same, there may be little to no incentive to change. Suffering through a day or two with a hangover may seem a small price to pay for the supposed ‘benefits’ of escaping through alcohol.

As it can have a relaxing effect, people with anxiety may develop a routine of having a drink when they need to calm down. This can easily spiral into an addiction if the underlying problem is not addressed. More research is needed to determine exactly why this is, but it is thought that certain genes are passed down through generations which can make you more susceptible to developing an addiction. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.