Signs That You Need Help for Alcohol Dependence

Many people have a complicated relationship with alcohol. In one person’s experience, it may be related to happy and enjoyable memories, while for another, it’s associated with dark and painful ones. Each person must navigate how they will deal with alcohol, and it helps to be informed about some of the ways it can negatively affect someone.

Various substances, such as prescription and recreational drugs, affect the brain. Likewise, alcohol can produce pleasurable feelings and also blunt negative ones. It has a powerful effect on the brain, which can make it appealing. This temporary relief can motivate someone to turn to alcohol again and again, even when it poses possible significant risks to their health and overall well-being. You can become dependent on alcohol even without recognizing it.

What is alcohol dependence?

When you depend on something, it means that it plays a significant role in your life. When a person is dependent on alcohol, they may feel as though they cannot function without consuming alcohol. Alcohol assumes an important role in their life, and often, they have to drink more and more of it in order to obtain the same effect as before. Alcohol becomes a priority, superseding other activities or obligations.

When a person is dependent on alcohol, they may not only prioritize alcohol over other things like family or work, but they may continue to consume alcohol even when it becomes destructive. Even if they’ve begun experiencing the harmful consequences of drinking, such as getting a DUI, losing their job, being diagnosed with liver disease, or other mental health challenges, they will continue to drink.

Alcohol dependence is marked by the impaired ability to stop or control one’s intake and use of alcohol. Alcohol dependence is one of a cluster of terms that are often used interchangeably to refer to this inability to stop or control alcohol use. It is also often referred to as alcohol abuse, colloquially as alcoholism, or it is referred to more formally as alcohol use disorder (AUD).

AUD exists on a spectrum, meaning that it can range from mild to moderate to severe in how it impacts the individual and how significant the impairment of control is.

The Impact of Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence affects a person in many different ways, including:

Mental Health Concerns Regular and heavy drinking interferes with the balance of neurochemicals, leading to increased risk of issues such as anxiety and depression.

Health Risks Consuming alcohol can pose serious health risks, such as high blood pressure, stroke, breast cancer, bowel cancer, liver disease, and pancreatitis. Being dependent on alcohol can also increase the risk of being involved in motor vehicle collisions and other accidents related to impaired judgment.

Social Consequences Alcohol dependence can negatively affect your relationships with loved ones. Excessive alcohol consumption typically leads to the impairment of judgment and lowering of inhibitions, often resulting in saying or doing regrettable things that damage relationships. Alcohol dependence can also affect one’s ability to perform at work or school, causing financial and other problems.

Signs You Need Help to Address Alcohol Dependence

Over time, the consumption of alcohol leads to changes occurring in the function and structure of one’s brain. Some of the changes that occur can compromise brain function and one’s ability to control the use and intake of substances like alcohol.

A person doesn’t have to be drinking a lot to become dependent on alcohol. The American Medical Association recommends a two-drink daily limit for men, and one drink a day for women, but a person who drinks regularly could be dependent on alcohol. Some of the signs of alcohol dependence include the following:

• Greater consumption and increased tolerance, which leads to needing to consume more alcohol to achieve the desired effect
• Greater preoccupation, spending a lot of time thinking about alcohol, or dedicating time and energy to obtain, consume, or recover from drinking
• Feeling the need to have a drink and doing so even in hazardous situations
• Experiencing problems due to drinking, including job loss, motor vehicle accidents, or relationships falling apart as a direct result of the drinking
• Making repeated, but unsuccessful attempts at trying to reduce how much you’re drinking
• Repeatedly failing to meet obligations on account of the drinking
• Being told by the people around you about their concern over your drinking
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as the shakes when you stop drinking, or needing to drink to avoid these unpleasant withdrawal symptoms
• Finding it hard to enjoy yourself or unwind without having a drink

Alcohol dependence is on a spectrum that runs from mild to severe. Some behaviors that might be socially acceptable may mask alcohol dependence, even if it is mild. If you find yourself attached to drinking alcohol and feeling like you cannot do without it, that could point to an issue. Speak with a health professional so that you can receive a proper diagnosis.

Finding Help

The science isn’t definitive or clear about why a person develops alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder, but there are a few factors that contribute to it. Some mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, may elevate the risk of having alcohol use disorder.

Additionally, a person’s genetics may also play a part. Some studies have indicated that an individual with a family history of alcohol use disorder has an increased risk of also developing alcohol use disorder. The environment a person grows up in, as well as one’s family and their attitude toward alcohol, can contribute to how one uses alcohol and whether alcohol dependence is likely to develop.

Lastly, undergoing stressful events such as losing a loved one or losing gainful employment can also trigger excessive consumption of alcohol in some people, which in turn can then lead to alcohol dependence over time.

Dealing with alcohol dependence can happen in various ways, including taking self-help steps to get healthy. Regular exercise, for instance, is an effective way to handle stress without needing to resort to using alcohol to unwind. It’s also important to understand yourself, which includes knowing the circumstances that typically trigger any urges you have to have a drink.

Another self-help tip would be to make use of support groups where you can talk with other people who have experienced similar challenges with alcohol. Such support can help you gain valuable insight into your situation and some much-needed perspective as well. Recovering from alcohol dependence is a journey that takes time and consistent effort.

It’s also important to be intentional about receiving adequate and appropriate care in dealing with alcohol dependence. The treatment that works best in your situation will depend on how severe the alcohol dependence is, how long it’s been an issue, and the specific areas where you could use support and strengthening. In cases of severe alcohol dependence, you may need to have either residential rehabilitation or inpatient treatment in a health facility.

Further, benefit may also be derived from undergoing behavioral therapy and treatment, which pays particular attention to the behavior and thought patterns that fuel the drinking and changing these. A psychologist or addiction counselor can do this work with you to identify these issues and provide you with tools to cope well without needing to use alcohol.

In addition to behavioral treatment and therapy, there are also some medications, such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and others, which can help with addressing cravings for alcohol. It is possible, with the right treatment, to recover and reduce the intake of alcohol and alcohol dependence. With the right support, it’s possible to have a healthy relationship with alcohol.

Reaching Out

If you are ready to speak to a mental health professional to learn more and get the help you need, please contact us today. We will set up an appointment with a counselor who can get you started on your journey to a life not dependent on alcohol.