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They can help you cope, make a treatment plan, prescribe medications and refer you to support programs. Using one or more of several types of psychological therapies, psychologists can help people address psychological issues involved in their problem drinking. A number of these therapies, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/wet-mush-brain-from-alcoholism-symptoms-and-dangers/ including cognitive-behavioral coping skills treatment and motivational enhancement therapy, were developed by psychologists. Additional therapies include 12-Step facilitation approaches that assist those with drinking problems in using self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
- Your treatment setting will depend on your stage of recovery and the severity of your illness.
- In fact, there are dozens of risk factors that play a role in the development of an alcohol addiction.
- The results of the assessment can offer initial guidance to the drinker about what treatment to seek and help motivate the problem drinker to get treatment.
- There’s a chance your doctor may order blood work to check your liver function if you show signs or symptoms of liver disease.
- For some alcohol abusers, psychological traits such as impulsiveness, low self-esteem and a need for approval prompt inappropriate drinking.
- During these times, you’re looking to make new friends and develop relationships with peers.
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Impact on your health
We offer a safe and trustworthy facility for people struggling with substance abuse. This seal indicates our commitment to continually elevating our standards and providing a superior treatment for substance abuse. physiological dependence on alcohol When thinking about what causes alcoholism, you have to observe how people feel before they drink. People will try to drink away their problems and negative feelings, but this will only temporarily ease their pain.
Long-term overuse of alcohol also increases the risk of certain cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and breast. Alcohol use in pregnant women can cause birth defects and fetal alcohol syndrome, which can lead to lifelong physical and behavioral problems in the affected child. Being an alcoholic or having an alcohol use disorder (AUD) involves a problematic level of drinking that begins to affect a person’s social, emotional and physical health. Though there is no singular cause behind alcohol addiction, many different factors can contribute to its development. The disease of addiction targets people regardless of their sex, gender, race, religion or socioeconomic status, but learning about the condition can help shed light on the causes of alcoholism and possible solutions. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.
What is a standard drink?
Cultures where drinking is considered shameful may cause alcoholics to hide their condition and avoid treatment due to the stigma of being labeled an alcoholic. The genetics behind alcoholism are extremely complex and far from fully understood. Alcoholism is not caused by a single gene, but rather a large number of genes that interact with one another. The risk factors for addiction include both genetics and lifestyle.
People who work long hours and have high-demand careers like doctors, nurses, lawyers and construction workers are more likely to develop alcoholism as they drink to keep stress at bay. Studies show that stressed men are 1.5 more likely to binge drink than women. Those recovering from alcoholism might also find stress to be an emotional trigger and end up relapsing. A history of alcoholism among your relatives is both a biological and genetic factor, but it can also be environmental. Alcoholism doesn’t necessarily have to run in your family for you to become addicted. Simply being around family members who drink frequently can cause you to start doing the same.
Personal Choice Factors
Although the exact cause of alcohol use disorder is unknown, there are certain factors that may increase your risk for developing this disease. No matter how hopeless alcohol use disorder may seem, treatment can help. If you think you might have a problem with alcohol, call SAMHSA or talk to your healthcare provider.
This then requires a person to consume more alcohol in a single sitting to produce the desired buzz. After a period of this repeated behavior, it can develop into alcoholism. Each person that ends up struggling with this form of substance abuse has their own unique story.
Your treatment setting will depend on your stage of recovery and the severity of your illness. You may need inpatient medical (hospital), residential rehabilitation (rehab), outpatient intensive therapy or outpatient maintenance. A psychologist can begin with the drinker by assessing the types and degrees of problems the drinker has experienced. The results of the assessment can offer initial guidance to the drinker about what treatment to seek and help motivate the problem drinker to get treatment.
