Everything you need to know about alcohol addiction

What is alcohol addiction?

Commonly known as alcoholism, alcohol addiction is the term used to describe someone who relies heavily on drinking, and who is unable to stay sober for long periods due to a strong desire to drink. Alcoholism is classed as a chronic, spectrum disorder – ranging from mild to severe. So, some may drink heavily throughout the day, whereas others may binge drink and stay sober for a while. Regardless of how much alcohol is consumed at any given time, even mild alcoholism can escalate into a more serious problem.

Although some may resort to alcohol to temporarily deal with stress, negative emotions can actually be heightened when you stop drinking – which can develop into a dangerous cycle. Alcohol has a wide range of effects on the body, but it particularly impacts the brain’s structure and function. This means that someone who has an alcohol addiction may struggle to control their actions, putting not only themselves, but the lives of others in danger.

Alcohol addiction can affect anyone, and scientists have been unable to establish a root cause, but a mixture of psychological, behavioural, and genetic factors can contribute to the disorder. As the symptoms and risks associated with alcoholism can be life threatening, early treatment is vital.

If you’re worried about your alcohol intake, or of someone close to you, it’s important to seek professional medical help. Speak to your GP or an addiction specialist.

What are the symptoms of alcohol addiction?

Alcohol disorder can range from mild to severe, based on the number of symptoms an individual experiences. Some of the signs and symptoms of alcoholism may include:

What are the risks associated with alcohol abuse?

There are various risks associated with alcohol abuse – these can range from short to long-term.

Short-term risks of alcohol abuse

The short-term risks of alcohol abuse can include:

• Receiving hospital treatment for accidents or injuries – such as a head injury
• Acting violently or being a victim of violence
• Having unprotected sex, which can result in unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Losing personal possessions
• Experiencing alcohol poisoning, which can result in vomiting, fits (seizures) and unconsciousness

Long-term risks of alcohol abuse

Long-term alcohol addiction can increase your risk of developing serious medical conditions, such as:

• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Liver cancer
• Liver damage
• Bowel cancer
• Breast cancer
• Mouth cancer
• Pancreatitis
• Brain damage

Alongside the above health problems, long-term alcohol abuse can also lead to social problems, such as:

• Unemployment
• Relationship breakdown
• Homelessness
• Domestic abuse

Treatment for alcohol addiction

The treatment required for someone with an alcohol addiction will vary depending on the amount they’re drinking.

Some of the treatment options available for alcohol addiction include:

● Counselling such as talking therapies, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), keeping a drinking diary, and 12-step facilitation therapy, where patients are encouraged to attend meetings, keep journals, and attend structured therapy sessions.
● Medicines to treat alcohol misuse, such as acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone, and nalmefene.
● Detoxification, which involves the support of a nurse or doctor as they help you to safely stop drinking, and can sometimes be done as an admission. This may be done by cutting down your alcohol intake over time, or by prescribing certain medications that help to prevent withdrawal symptoms. The most common of these medications is chlordiazepoxide.
● Support groups – including Alcoholics Anonymous (for those with an addiction) and Al-Anon (for friends and family of those with an alcohol addiction).

How to control or stop alcohol intake

There are various steps you can take to control or stop your alcohol intake, but the method that works best will ultimately depend on the severity of your addiction. Some may relapse into heavy drinking, for example, after drinking a small glass of wine every now and then. So, if this is the case for you, it’s important to steer clear of alcohol.

For anyone who is not addicted to alcohol, but would like to cut down, here are some ideas you might want to try:

● Making a plan before you start drinking to limit how much you drink
● Setting a budget and writing down how much you spend on alcohol weekly
● Letting friends and family know that you’re cutting down, and asking for their support with this
● Cutting back on alcohol a little bit at a time to avoid overwhelming yourself
● Drinking smaller amounts – e.g. opting for a smaller glass of wine over a larger one
● Having a lower strength drink
● Staying hydrated before, after, and whilst drinking
● Taking breaks between drinking

For more information on how to manage your alcohol intake, you can refer back to one of our previous articles here.

Why not learn more about how your drinking habits could be affecting your health and wellbeing with the Evergreen Life app? Download today and keep your eye out for the notification to take the ‘Alcohol Consumption Check’.

Reviewed by:

Anna Keeble – Head of Content

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