Is Alcoholism a Chronic Disease?

Chai was a national health reporter at Global News in Toronto for 5 years, where she won multiple awards, including the Canadian Medical Association award for health reporting. Her work has also appeared in the Toronto Star, Vancouver Province, and the National Post. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto. We offer integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders, addressing both alcohol addiction and mental health issues. Our experts are experienced in dual diagnosis, and we’re here to help you develop coping strategies, achieve sobriety, and manage your mental health effectively. Reach out to us today to initiate your journey toward a more promising tomorrow.

What is chronic alcohol abuse?

If an individual is beginning to think about alcohol as a problem worth trying to solve, educational groups may provide support for weighing the pros and cons of drinking. Treatment used to be limited to self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (established in 1935). Now there are a variety of evidence-based treatments, including psychotherapy and medication, to treat alcohol use disorders. A person with alcohol use disorder has come to rely on alcohol physically, psychologically and/or emotionally. The brain adapts to the presence of alcohol and undergoes persistent changes. When alcohol use suddenly stops, the body is not accustomed to being alcohol free.

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• The reward center of the brain reinforces naturally pleasurable behavior, such as listening to music, exercising, eating good food, or having sex, by releasing the feel-good chemical dopamine.
• Yet there were an estimated 22,644 alcohol-related deaths, which will include the specific deaths but will also include deaths from alcohol-related cancers, heart disease, and other causes.
• This view is based on the fact that alcoholism is a long-term and persistent condition, much like other health complications.
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For most people who have an alcohol use disorder, the first alcohol-related life problems usually appear in the mid-20s to early 40s. Up to 30% of people with alcohol use disorder do manage to abstain from alcohol or control their drinking without formal treatment. Read on to learn why AUD is considered a mental health condition, which mental health conditions commonly occur alongside it, and treatment options. So what might come of the Trump administration’s decision to examine our children’s mental health? RFK, Jr., steering taxpayer dollars to the addiction-treating labor camps that he calls “wellness farms”? Pushing clinical trials for hydroxychloroquine to treat mood disorders (remember this from COVID?) or promoting something like juicing as a treatment for depression?

• By contrast, another 2023 study found similar rates of death between nondrinkers and light to moderate drinkers.
• Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a widespread problem that affects people of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic statuses.
• Its treatment involves a comprehensive approach, addressing both the addiction and any underlying mental health issues.
• For example, individuals might drink because they’re depressed (to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders).

There are signs that depression and alcohol dependency may be impacting your or a loved one’s health and well-being, Anand says. It involves understanding how long it takes to become addicted to alcohol and making lifestyle changes. The ultimate goal is to provide people with the necessary tools, skills, and strategies to promote a good life in recovery. Alcohol use impacts relationships and social behavior by contributing to the neglect of responsibilities, increased conflict, and potential violence within families, friendships, and workplaces. As it can have a relaxing effect, people with anxiety may develop a routine of having a drink when they need to calm down. This can easily spiral into an addiction if the underlying problem is not addressed.

What is alcohol use disorder?

Recovery Unplugged is a national behavioral health treatment organization with locations across the country that combines evidence-based practices with music to help patients more readily embrace treatment. You will also lose your tolerance to alcohol very quickly when you stop drinking, so a relapse can put you at greater risk of alcohol poisoning. Over 130,000 people in the UK entered drug and alcohol treatment between 2020 and 2021, and many of them will go on to live happy and healthy lives free from addiction. A professional diagnosis can why is alcoholism considered a chronic disease be extremely helpful in allowing you to access the support that you need to recover from alcohol addiction, including financial assistance. Drinking alcohol from a young age while your brain is still developing can also make you more likely to develop an addiction, due to the physical changes that this substance can make to your brain.

• The conversation about alcohol is evolving, and now’s the time to truly ask ourselves what role it plays in our lives and whether it’s time for a change.
• It is a defined medical condition and because of its ability to impair an individual’s ability to stop drinking, despite adverse social, work, and health consequences, it is classified as a chronic condition.
• Alcohol intoxication produces a wide variety of disturbances of neuromuscular and mental functions and of body chemistry.
• In the United States, active alcoholics account for as many as 25 percent of the patients in general hospitals.
• Treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) involves a comprehensive approach tailored to meet the individual needs of those affected.

Risk factors include genetics, mental health conditions, and environmental influences. The main differences between alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are the patterns and effects of alcohol consumption. Alcohol abuse refers to drinking in a manner that leads to harmful consequences, such as neglecting responsibilities or engaging in risky behaviors, without physical alcohol dependence.

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At this stage, drinking alcohol becomes a routine, whether during social gatherings or as a way to unwind. With the right treatment and support, a functioning alcoholic can overcome alcohol use disorder and be equipped with healthy, safe ways to navigate stress and daily life. One consideration for overcoming alcohol use is filling the time that was once dedicated to drinking and recovery. With support groups and 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, there are so many resources available to help anyone stay the course and maintain sobriety. Many of the same treatment approaches and therapies are used to treat substance abuse and mental health issues.