More than 80% of adults in the UK drink alcohol. Rarely is alcohol absent from a social gathering. Whether it be a beer with lunch or while watching the game, wine with dinner, or cocktails with friends on the weekends, alcohol is hard to avoid. While an occasional drink or two isn’t cause for concern, it can be scary when being around alcohol starts feeling like an out-of-control experience. If you’re concerned about the relationship you have or someone close to you has with alcohol, know that there are resources available to help. The first step is to understand what alcohol addiction is and what the signs are.
What Is Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), or alcohol addiction, is a disease that is caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors. The disease has previously been referred to as alcoholism, but with new research bringing the complexity and medical legitimacy of the condition to light, everything from the treatment approach to the language surrounding it has undergone an evolution.
Generally, the disease can be identified by the presence of alcohol cravings, a loss of control around choosing to consume alcohol and at what quantity, increased tolerance, and physical dependence. Symptoms of physical dependence, or withdrawal symptoms as listed by UK-based nonprofit Drinkaware, are seen when an abrupt halt in alcohol consumption is followed by physical reactions, which could include headaches, mood instability like anxiety and depression, loss of appetite, nausea, insomnia, or a heart rate above 100 beats per minute.
What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction?
Knowing the symptoms of AUD can help identify whether you might benefit from professional help. One of the warning signs to look out for includes prioritizing alcohol over other important things in your life, such as your job, relationships, and other daily responsibilities like maintaining your health and hygiene. Other signs include unwanted effects, such as developing withdrawal symptoms that encourage continued drinking, becoming violent or engaging in unsafe behavior like drinking and driving, or feeling the overwhelming need to drink even at inappropriate places or times despite negative consequences.
Negative consequences can include shame, legal repercussions, injury to self or others, physical illness and discomfort, and more. Addiction is characterized by the physical or psychological compulsion to do something despite not wanting to. This is important to understand when facing the choice to reach out for help because willpower alone is not an effective solution against addiction, which is rooted in unconscious physical and psychological biological mechanisms. However, there are real, lasting solutions out there.
There Is Hope for Those Struggling With Alcohol Use Disorder
If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek help. Early intervention is key to an easier recovery and prevents worse symptoms and consequences from developing. Finding and pursuing professionally administered alcohol and drug addiction treatment is one of the most critical steps to recovery. Finding evidence-based treatment, management, and help from a supportive team of experts can be a life-saving decision.
Alcohol and drug addiction treatment can have stunning results. Those suffering from the disease do not and should not have to manage AUD alone. Giving compassion, whether toward yourself or someone else, is incredibly important when facing any kind of disease diagnosis, and understanding that alcohol dependence is a medical condition just like any other is a good place to start.