[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Many people who drink alcohol frequently can experience a heightened risk of alcohol addiction or substance abuse. Depending on the individual’s genetics the person is more likely to become addicted to alcohol in the future or the near future. Some have started drinking when the brain is still in its earliest stages when making decisions about their daily life.
When individuals experience trauma and difficulties in their lives, alcohol can help them cope. In such cases, addiction is developed through repeated, intense drinking of alcohol. Those who drink alcohol frequently are at risk of alcohol addiction and have severe consequences. They can develop a very serious alcohol and drug addiction if they are not stopped.
What is alcohol dependence?
Often called alcoholism, alcohol dependence is the most severe type of drink problem and describes a strongly controlled craving to drink. Alcohol is a vital element in the day-to-day life of alcohol-dependent individuals that may lead to increased alcohol dependence as well as increasing the risk.
Who uses and abuses alcohol?
Almost 76% of American adults drank alcohol during the year 2020 — the most recent NSDUH survey found. By age of 16,30% of all young adults in the United States have already consumed alcohol. Sometimes alcoholics can limit themselves to occasional drinking and social drinking. Medical advice and national food guideline encourage consumption in moderate quantities. Others may quite frequently but it doesn’t matter unless the drinker abuses the drink. Often people call these drinkers bingers or heavy alcoholics because they can’t control their alcohol cravings.
What causes alcohol abuse & dependence?
Many factors cause alcohol dependency. Stressful events can cause alcoholism, which may result in a high level of alcohol consumption. Alcoholism may occur in genetic factors in a family. Depending on the genes your children may have this effect on their behavior toward alcohol and the environment. The majority of those who depend on alcohol have mental and physical problems that cause them to be addicted to alcohol.
How to reduce your risk of becoming alcohol dependent?
A break daily from alcohol may help reduce your dependency. When people drink regularly, they increase their tolerance to alcohol. When we take drugs, tolerance occurs as our physiological responses, and the higher the dosage, the better the effects on us as our body needs. Regular consumption causes liver enzymes to digest alcohol. If you drink a lot for weeks or months, the amount of enzyme is higher and the tolerance increases.
Effects of drinking alcohol on the body
Alcohol abuse has serious health consequences in many ways. In fact, drinking is associated with increased risk and increased mortality from diabetes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular disease. Long-term drinking causes damage to your body. In addition, about a quarter of the 4,000 people who suffer from alcoholism are addicted to it permanently.
Alcohol dependence can contribute to mental health problems
Anxiety, depression, or suicidality are common symptoms if you drink too much. Because drinking is harmful to basic brain functions, it can even affect the functioning of our erectile organs. Taking alcohol may affect your relationships with friends, partners, or family. Poorly performing on jobs could lead to your career-ending for good or even worse. Several factors in alcoholism contribute to depression and psychiatric disorders. Alcohol is an effective defense mechanism against aggression. But, when drinking alcohol for pleasure you may start an addictive cycle.
Signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence
When you are afraid that someone you know or care about is spiraling into an alcohol addiction you can note some things that are clear giveaways that they are addicted to alcohol. The most common being that they will start getting agitated and aggravated if they haven’t gotten a drink. Their sober selves start to deteriorate severely and they start missing out on social gatherings or family gatherings. Even if they do show up, they’re clearly drunk.
You need to keep an eye out for these small details and try to get your friend or loved one into a conversation about it.
The right treatment for alcohol addiction
Patient care should always be the top priority. Inpatient intensive care programs are of great benefit to patients suffering from a problem without requiring intensive treatments. Emmaus offers various kinds of specialized therapy to anyone who needs help in quitting alcohol for good.
How to reduce your drinking habits?
It is not that easy to reduce your drinking habit but it’s certainly not impossible as well. Some simple changes in your lifestyle can help you reduce alcohol abuse and pave your way towards an alcohol-free life. Withdrawal symptoms are bound to happen but they can be tackled with support from friends and family. Alcohol withdrawal is possible just follow these simple things and you can hopefully kill your alcohol craving slowly but surely.
- Set your drinking limit before you start drinking
- Set a fixed budget on the amount you’re going to spend on alcohol
- Stop drinking at night time
- Go for low potency drinks
- Stay hydrated throughout the day
- Try visiting alcoholics anonymous at least once a month
Emmaus Medical & Counseling provides the best alcohol abuse treatment and alcohol addiction treatment to people who are suffering from alcohol use disorder.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]