Addiction to alcohol is rarely caused by a single factor. It’s usually the result of a mix of genetic vulnerability, emotional distress, environmental influence, and physical dependence. Effective treatment to achieve a lifetime recovery often requires addressing all of these dimensions through a combination of medical support, therapy, lifestyle changes, and social support.
A Brief History Of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol has been in use since ancient times, with wine, beers, and ales featuring in grand royal feasts and parties, and older forms of alcohol such as mead dating back even further. Whilst the make-up of alcohol wasn’t fully understood back then, the effects of elevated mood, a reduction in anxious feelings and making social interactions easier were certainly understood.
The social problems stemming from alcoholism were later understood as drunkenness started to become a social issue, mainly among the lower classes. Our understanding of alcoholism and the dangers of alcohol today are far removed from the basic historical understanding.
Culture
Alcohol has a place in many cultures, and as those cultures have changed and developed so too has individual relationships with alcohol. Traditionally, some cultures saw alcohol as an integral part of cultural rituals and ceremonies. Cultural perceptions of alcohol consumption can directly impact a person’s relationship with alcohol.
Escape
Whilst a person can enjoy the positive effects of alcohol responsibly and in a healthy manner, for some it becomes a coping mechanism for the more difficult aspects of life and that can become an unhealthy issue quickly. If you find yourself relying on alcohol as a way to escape a stressful situation, mental health problems, pain, or everyday life, then you could have a problem you need help with.
Evolution From Casual To Addiction
Many people start by drinking casually with friends and family, and that can start as a perfectly healthy relationship with alcohol. The transition from casual use to addiction can creep up steadily, where an individual reaches for alcohol slightly more often than they usually would, or start drinking more heavily when they drink. Eventually this can lead to intense cravings and dependencies, leading to a harmful pattern of uncontrolled alcohol drinking.
Cycle
Once addiction creeps up on a person, a cycle of alcohol abuse can then follow. This cycle is characterised by an overwhelming desire to consume alcohol, despite negative consequences. The individual usually gives into this intense craving, and then feelings of guilt or shame set in. Often the individual then drinks more alcohol to cope with these unpleasant emotions and a physical and psychological dependency begins and the cycle repeats, over and over again.
Alcohol use disorder is characterised as regular and excessive use of alcohol that is usually accompanied by an inability for the person to stop drinking. In other words, they feel they NEED to drink.
Alcohol addiction disrupts the brain’s reward system, and an individual might come to think the pleasurable feelings of drinking alcohol is an escape route from negative thoughts or emotions. This can lead them to constantly seek alcohol, despite negative consequences.
Alcoholism has long been associated with both physical and psychological dependency, making it a difficult addiction to beat. An alcohol treatment plan usually involves tackling the physical and psychological aspects of this addiction. Alcohol related problems are common across the globe, affecting millions of people and putting pressure on medical services, support groups and families. However, recovery is possible.
Is Alcohol Addiction The Same As Alcohol Dependence?
“Alcohol abuse” was first used to discuss problematic drinking and alcoholism, but it has since been used to describe a wide range of unhealthy drinking habits. Things such as binge drinking; excessive drinking; drinking alcohol every day; all come under alcohol abuse, and can have a significant impact on a person’s physical and mental health.
The addiction element of alcohol addiction comes from a compulsive need to consume alcohol despite the negative consequences. An addict faces daily struggles with a strong desire to drink and a lack of control over how much alcohol is consumed when they do drink.
Alcohol dependency is characterised as a physical and psychological reliance on alcohol, where drinking behaviour is driven by the body or brain’s desire for alcohol. After prolonged use, the brain and body adapts to the use of alcohol. In order for their body to function properly alcohol almost becomes necessary.
If someone with alcohol dependency and addiction tries to stop drinking abruptly, they can experience withdrawal symptoms that can range from mild discomfort to life threatening conditions because of the shock of alcohol’s removal from the body’s system. The severity and longevity of the alcohol addiction will play a part in how severe or mild the body’s reaction is. If you suffer from an uncontrollable urge for alcohol consumption, then you could be facing alcohol addiction. Take the first step to recovery and ask yourself, am I an alcoholic? We’ve developed a free and confidential online self-assessment. This quick test can help you evaluate your drinking habits and determine whether you may be facing a problem.
Is Everyone Susceptible To Alcohol Addiction?
There are certain risk factors that make a person more likely to be susceptible to alcoholism:
Genetics
There is a well established link between a person’s genetics and alcohol addiction. It’s often the case that where a person’s family members have a history of alcoholism, they are at a higher risk themselves. This has been studied closely and certain genes have been shown to be responsible for the way alcohol is metabolised in the body which can affect brain function and increase risk of an addiction forming.
Brain Chemistry
Alcohol has a direct impact on neurotransmitters in the brain. Chiefly dopamine and serotonin which are responsible for regulating mood and increasing pleasurable, relaxed feelings in the individual. By drinking too much alcohol too frequently, this brain chemistry can be affected, leading to dependence on alcohol.
Social Factors
A person’s environment also has a strong impact on the likelihood of a person developing an alcohol addiction. Things like cultural attitudes towards drinking, early peer influence on alcohol consumption, etc. Family dynamics and attitudes towards drinking alcohol also impact the likelihood of alcohol addiction developing. Being in a stressful situation or in an environment that actively encourages heavy drinking can impact alcohol misuse.
Personality traits
Certain personality characteristics, such as a tendency towards impulsiveness, risk-taking, and seeking new sensations, are linked to a higher risk of developing alcohol addiction. People with these traits may be more inclined to engage in hazardous drinking practices.
Changes In Neurology
Neurology is essentially the way your brain is wired and how your brain communicates. Drinking alcohol excessively can change your brain’s neural pathways and over time your brain can become reliant on alcohol in order for pleasure-associated neurotransmitters to fire. That can lead to an individual feeling as though the only way they ever feel happy is after drinking alcohol, which is a very dangerous association to make.
Development Of Physical Dependence
With enough alcohol abuse, a physical dependency can develop. As the body adjusts to alcohol when it becomes a regular part of the system, the body becomes to rely on it. When alcohol isn’t present in the system, withdrawal symptoms occur. The body cries out for more alcohol to function normally. Without a controlled detox, this can often lead to relapse.
Varied Individual Experiences
The human body and human experience is unique for each one of us. That means you could live the exact same life as someone else, but one has a healthy relationship with alcohol and another develops an alcohol addiction. That’s because we’re all different and we all respond to situations differently.
Seeking professional help with InnerLife Recovery ensures you receive a tailored, holistic approach on your recovery journey.
What Is The Road To Addiction And Recovery?
Everybody’s experience of addiction is different. Each path is different and what leads one person to addiction might not affect another person at all. Therefore, you need an individualised and bespoke treatment plan that takes into account your unique needs. Below is an example of just one path to addiction and recovery:
Stress. Initially alcohol use can relieve stress, over time it increases it. For many alcoholics, they use alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress, forgetting that it can also contribute to it.
Life difficulties. When alcohol starts becoming a problem for a person, it can impact on other aspects of your life, such as work, and stress can increase.
Cycle. People will often then turn to alcohol to cope with that stress, which leads to further dependence and increased consumption.
Tolerance. Over time your tolerance to alcohol will grow, as your body adapts to its regular presence in your system. This then leads to you needing even more alcohol to feel the same effects you once will have felt after one or two alcoholic drinks.
Dependence. As you require more alcohol to feel its stress-reducing effects, you can develop a psychological and physical dependency on alcohol just to function.
How Does Alcohol Addiction Make My Life Worse? Recovery is Possible
Mental Health
- Alcohol has long been associated with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety:
- It can worsen existing conditions and contribute to the development of new ones.
Heart Health Concerns
- Arrhythmias are common in people with a history of alcohol abuse.
- Heart disease and more serious problems can also occur.
Liver Damage
- Liver disease, scarring to the liver and liver damage are all common with regular excessive alcohol consumption.
- Liver failure can also occur, posing a serious risk to health.
Risks To Pregnancy
- Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder can occur when drinking during pregnancy.
- This can lead to a range of developmental issues for the child both in the womb and later in life relating to their physical, cognitive, and behavioural abilities.
Accident Risk
- Alcohol can impair your coordination and judgement.
- This can lead to accidents and injuries and hazardous behavioural patterns.
Our alcohol rehab treatment options are an excellent way to tackle alcohol dependency. Recovery is possible and at InnerLife Recovery we help you reset, recharge, and really change your life for the better. Our rehab center in Marbella, Spain, is a stunning location offering you the space for peace and quiet. With our medical support, psychological therapies, and holistic approach, you can find a path out of addiction. Rebuild relationships, redefine personal goals, and learn new coping mechanisms that support a healthier, more fulfilling life. We can support with family therapy and group therapy sessions to get your home life back on track.
Start your journey today by contacting us to speak with one of our knowledgeable advisors for a FREE confidential assessment. We are 24/7h available for you. Whether you’re reaching out for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to support you, whenever you need it.
