Overview
In our society, moderate drinking is acceptable, and sometimes, it’s even encouraged. People give toasts at weddings while drinking champagne, friends share a bottle of wine at dinner and two guys split a six pack of beer while watching college football. For some people, moderate drinking turns into alcohol abuse. Drinking becomes a problem when it starts affecting the person’s work or school performance and relationships with friends and family members.
Basics of Alcohol Addiction
It’s a person’s choice to start drinking, and many people believe that it continues to be their choice to abuse alcohol. However, a person’s brain chemistry changes when he abuses alcohol on a regular basis, making him need to drink more to feel the effects. His body will physically crave alcohol and become dependent on it. When he tries to stop drinking, he’ll experience negative side effects, such as trembling, fever, nausea and headaches.
Signs and Symptoms
The main sign that someone is abusing alcohol is her inability or refusal to cut back on drinking when she experiences negative consequences. For instance, if someone starts to have relationship problems with her spouse because of her drinking but refuses to cut back, there’s a problem. HelpGuide reports that abuse occurs when a person neglects his responsibilities, puts himself in danger while drinking and gets into legal trouble because of drinking. A person might have a drinking problem if she can never stop at just one drink, feels guilty and lies about drinking, blacks out because of drinking too much or needs to drink to cope with stress.
Considerations
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America reports that alcohol is the most commonly abused drug among teens aged 12 to 17, and drinking and driving is the leading cause of death among teens. Teens use drugs for different reasons. Some start using to cope with depression or anxiety. Some teens drink because of peer pressure or to experiment with alcohol. A teen is more likely to develop a drinking problem if he has a family history of alcohol or drug abuse, has other mental health problems and has experienced trauma or abuse.
Misconceptions
Some people don’t realize that alcohol abuse can be just as damaging as drug abuse. Alcohol is a drug that causes withdrawal symptoms, according to HelpGuide. Some people don’t recognize they have a drinking problem, because they go to work every day and support their families. There’s a stereotype that an alcoholic is the homeless guy begging for money outside of the liquor store, but your everyday Joe who drinks too much each night also is abusing alcohol.
Treatment
Treatment for alcohol abuse depends on the person’s level of use and dependence, other mental health issues and family support. Types of treatment include detoxification, rehabilitation, individual and family counseling, support groups and 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
About this Author
Michelle Bolyn is a licensed mental health professional and has worked since 2006 as a therapist. Bolyn has been writing mental health, wedding-related and relationship focused articles since 2007. She is published on Suite101.com and Examiner.com. Bolyn received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from New York University.
