The effects of alcohol use disorder can be devastating to the person affected. The poll conducted by the recovery village showed that it affects many aspects of daily life, from physical health to relationships. The abuse of alcohol can also threaten the person's freedom and everything they have worked for. The first step in recovery is to understand the nature of alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse affects almost every aspect of the person's physical and mental health. It can also be inherited.

Symptoms

If you have a drinking problem, you might have been experiencing blackouts and other symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption impairs the ability of the brain to store memories, so you may have fragmented or no memories at all. If you've had blackouts and other symptoms of alcoholism frequently, you may be suffering from alcohol addiction. These symptoms tend to happen at a level of blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 percent or more.

Depending on the type of alcohol addiction, a person will experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, lasting from several hours to a few days after the last drink. Some withdrawal symptoms are life-threatening, including seizures and hallucinations, and they may require hospitalization. The cause of alcoholism is not clear, although researchers have identified several factors that may contribute to the development of alcoholism. However, no single factor accounts for the causes of addiction in most people.

Causes

People can be more susceptible to alcoholism if they have alcoholic parents or have been around a lot of alcohol abusers. Also, the costs of alcohol vary widely across states and cities. In fact, a recent survey revealed that nearly one-third of households with a higher income than the average spend on alcohol. A friend's social circle can influence one's drinking habits and lead to peer pressure. Listed below are some of the most common causes of alcoholism.

There are many factors that may contribute to alcoholism, including genetic, psychological, social, and environmental influences. People with alcoholic parents are four times more likely to develop substance use disorders. People with underlying mental health issues are also at a higher risk of developing this addiction. However, people with a strong family history of alcohol abuse may also have a genetic or environmental predisposition to the disorder. In addition, peer pressure is a contributing factor to alcoholism.

Treatment options

When seeking treatment for alcohol addiction, the first step is determining what type of treatment is right for your needs. Residential programs offer long-term care, but there are also outpatient alternatives. Inpatient programs usually require more intense supervision than outpatient options, but some outpatient programs may also offer counseling. Behavioral therapies include learning new coping skills, developing support networks, and identifying triggers to drinking. Patients can participate in multiple types of alcohol counseling and work closely with a primary care provider to determine what works best for their situation.

Depending on the severity of the addiction, medical detoxification may be necessary for some patients. Withdrawal symptoms can become very severe if the person is not given alcohol for a long period of time. Alcohol abuse also negatively affects a person's mental state. Increased aggression, mood swings, and compulsive behaviors are common in alcoholics. They may even experience paranoia. Treatment for alcohol addiction comes in many different forms, and there are a few common types.

Genetic factors

Recent studies have revealed that some genes play a major role in developing alcohol dependence. These genes are located in 51 chromosome regions and play important roles in basic body functions. People who experience dysregulation of these basic body functions are more likely to abuse alcohol. Moreover, the genes are passed down from parents to children. Thus, individuals with a family history of alcohol use disorder are more likely to develop a dependence on alcohol.

Among these genes are ALDH2 and ADH1B, which affect the metabolism of alcohol. Variations in these genes have been associated with increased levels of acetaldehyde, which is a byproduct of alcohol metabolism. The chemical is associated with unpleasant side effects. In addition to this, people with these genetic variations have a lower likelihood of developing alcohol dependence compared to those with low aldehyde levels.

Psychological factors

While alcohol is a depressant, many people turn to it to feel less anxious. Alcohol is a rewarding, social experience and can relieve stress and anxiety. People who have experienced mental health problems may also be more likely to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. In addition, social norms and experiences with alcohol may influence the drinking process. However, stigma may prevent alcoholics from seeking treatment. Psychological factors of alcohol addiction need not be a hindrance.

Certain behaviors and brain responses may explain more variation in early drinking. Behavioral variables related to risk seeking have been linked to increased risk of alcohol use and relapse. These findings suggest that personality traits may convey risk of alcohol addiction. However, further confirmation is necessary to understand the role of personality in determining alcohol addiction risk. Combined neurobiological and psychosocial phenotyping may also improve our understanding of risk. For now, this research is limited to the effects of adolescence on alcohol use and addiction.