Alcohol Addiction: Enjoying the glass of wine at dinner or having a drink or two with friends after work can be a good way to unwind. But some people find it necessary to drink every day and often drink to excess. Even when drinking gets in the way of relationships, work, and other life responsibilities, the alcohol abuser will continue to drink, often without considering the consequences. What causes some people to become physically or mentally addicted to alcohol?
Alcoholism In The United States
One in 12 adults or 18 million people in the United States are chronic alcoholics who abuse alcohol. Alcohol is a large contributor to domestic abuse, absenteeism, crimes against property, accidents, homicide, and suicides. Despite the consequences, current thinking is that alcohol addiction is a disease, rather than just bad behavior.
Drinking too much, however, is a habit that a person can fall into and reinforce by continually doing it. When drinking is your way of handling every stressful day, then you may be on the way to addiction. The more you drink, the more your tolerance to alcohol increases.
What Causes Alcohol Addiction?
There are many drivers of alcohol addiction. For some people, genetics plays a major role. When a parent is an alcoholic, the child has a three or four times greater risk of alcoholism than if they were not. In some cases, seeing an alcoholic parent encourages some people not to drink at all for fear that they would suffer from the symptoms of addiction. The risk of alcoholism is also greater in some racial groups such as American Indians or native Alaskans. Those who associate with heavy drinkers are also more likely to become alcohol abusers themselves.
Because alcohol can dull the senses and make stress more manageable, people suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar, or other mental problems are likely to use alcohol to self-medicate. This can be a particular danger if they are taking medication to manage their condition.
For some people, drinking in excess can become a habit that may be spurred on by peer pressure, stress, or other emotional factors. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) notes that moderate drinkers are less likely to develop addiction than men who drink more than four drinks a day or 42 drinks a week, or women that have more than three drinks per day or seven drinks per week.
Distinguishing Alcoholism From Social Drinking
What distinguishes an alcohol abuser from another drinker? A person with a problem routinely exceeds the limits of social drinking by drinking too much. He may also have a physical dependence on alcohol that makes him unable to see the warning signs that he should stop drinking. He may:
- Neglect responsibility at work, home, or school as a result of drinking
- Use alcohol when it’s dangerous, such as when driving or operating heavy equipment
- Have alcohol-related arrests
- Drink even though it is causing problems in your relationship
- Use alcohol as the universal response to stress
How Your Primary Care Provider Can Help You With Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction can cause many health issues that require the intervention of your primary care provider. While your doctor might be able to help you manage physical problems, vitamin deficiencies and mental problems that result from excessive drinking, overcoming your addiction usually only happens when you are committed to stop drinking and attend a 12 step program such as AA. Your provider may also be able to prescribe medications that can help reduce your urge to drink or help you gain admission to a treatment program.
For information and health, make an appointment at Raintree Medical and Chiropractic Center today. You can schedule an appointment online or call us today at 816-623-3020.