Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a psychological and physical addiction to alcohol.
This chronic condition can cause symptoms such as an overwhelming desire to drink alcohol, even if the usage has become problematic. When you stop drinking, you may experience significant withdrawal symptoms.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an AUD, the good news is that there are several alcohol treatment centers choices available, and your doctor can assist you in selecting the right one for you. They may advise detoxification, medication, or relapse prevention education.
You may know what alcoholism is, but how does it begin? What causes a person to progress from the occasional drink to full-fledged alcohol addiction? Unfortunately, the solution is not that straightforward.
Alcoholism is caused by a mix of genetic, psychological, social, and environmental variables. The more risk factors a person possesses, the more probable it is that they will become an alcoholic. And occasionally such risk variables are completely beyond a person’s control. Let’s go through a few of them:
1. Difficult Environments
While not everyone uses alcohol to cope with stress, some do. When someone has stressful work, they are more prone to drink extensively. This is frequently the case for particular jobs, such as physicians and nurses, whose daily lives can be exceedingly stressful. Take the time to de-stress with healthy activities such as reading a good book, exercising, or napping to reduce this risk factor.
2. Drinking At A Young Age
According to the Mayo Clinic, young drinkers are more prone to develop an alcohol problem or a physical dependence on alcohol as they grow older. This is due not just to the fact that drinking may become a comfortable habit, but also to the fact that the body’s tolerance levels may grow.
3. Mental Health Issues Such As Depression
Anxiety, sadness, bipolar illness, and other mental health conditions can all enhance one’s chances of becoming an alcoholic. When a person is stressed or sad, it is simple to turn to alcohol – and the effects of alcohol may appear to momentarily alleviate those symptoms. This can lead to an increase in drinking, which can lead to alcoholism.
4. Mixing Alcohol And Medicine
Some medications might make alcohol more hazardous to the body. When a person consumes alcohol with their drugs regularly, they may get hooked on the side effects, some of which can be highly severe and even life-threatening.
5. History Of The Family
If you have an alcoholic father or another family, your chances of developing alcoholism are automatically increased. A portion of this is attributable to heredity, while the remainder is dependent on your surroundings. Spending time with people who heavily drink or misuse alcohol may persuade you to do the same.
A person’s risk of alcoholism can be influenced by a variety of circumstances. While the aforementioned are not strictly “causes” of alcoholism, they can play a part in its development. It’s critical to recognize your risk and do everything you can to mitigate it.