The ability to plan ahead, learn and hold information (like a phone number or shopping list), withhold responses as needed, and work with spatial information (such as using a map) can be affected. Brain structures can shift as well, particularly in the frontal lobes, which are key for planning, making decisions, and regulating emotions. But many people in recovery show improvements in memory and concentration, even within the first month of sobriety. After all, nobody wants to deal with the physical and mental pain that addiction brings. Still, millions of people worldwide struggle with a drinking problem. You may need to seek treatment at an inpatient facility if your addiction to alcohol is severe.
Impact on your health
PTSD develops after someone is exposed to emotional or physical trauma leading to long-lasting psychological consequences. People suffering from PTSD are far more likely to develop alcoholism. 4 They often turn to alcohol as a way to self-medicate and cope with PTSD symptoms, perpetuating a cycle of misuse and inevitable addiction. Unfortunately, trauma is a major risk factor that contributes to why some people become alcoholics. If the drinking world is conceptualized tom arnold weight loss as a spectrum, normal social drinking is one on end (a few drinks per month, almost always in a social context) and alcohol use disorder is on the other end.
In addition to ongoing mental health support, enhancing an individual’s “recovery resources” is also important. Providing education, job training and employment connections, supportive housing, physical activity, and social integration in families and the community can all help individuals stay in remission. Research in animals shows that having more self-determination and control over one’s environment can help facilitate adaptive brain changes after ending substance use.
Support for People With Alcoholism
This eventually has negative impacts on brain chemistry leading to addiction. The chemical changes from long term alcohol abuse result in a person developing both physical and psychological dependence. As a result, virtually anyone can become an alcoholic if they continue to abuse it over long periods of time. You’ll want to find a rehab center that has medically-supervised detox capabilities so that you can comfortably and safely detox from alcohol.
Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
Scary and sad as it was for her, after all those years together, if Ray continued to refuse to accept help, she was going to file for divorce. ‘But perhaps it is genetic – it runs in his family,’ said Marilyn. However, though there is no easy ‘cure’ for an alcohol use disorder, the condition is treatable. It’s a disease that can impact anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, body type, or personal beliefs. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. Alcohol abuse can also adversely affect the ventral striatum part of the brain.
- Research has shown an increasing link between alcoholism and genetics.
- Although the exact cause of alcohol use disorder is unknown, there are certain factors that may increase your risk for developing this disease.
- They didn’t have a lot of money but enjoyed long rambles in the countryside, as part of a local group, liked to socialise, and relished spending time at their allotment.
Our certified medical reviewers are licensed in the mental health and addiction medicine fields and are dedicated to helping readers and prospective clients make informed decisions about their treatment. We adhere to strict accuracy guidelines and only reference credible sources when providing information on our website. In some cases, the first step in treating alcohol use disorder is detoxification—experiencing withdrawal in a safe setting with medical professionals. Alcohol use disorder affects millions of people, but it often goes undetected.
There are factors that pop up again and again when determining who might have an issue with alcoholism. If you’re in the “at-risk” population, it doesn’t take much to become dependent on alcohol or other drugs. A common initial treatment option for someone with an alcohol addiction is an outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation program. It can help someone handle withdrawal symptoms and emotional challenges.
