When an individual becomes addicted to something, they become dependent on it and need to keep repeating the activities, taking the drug or drinking alcohol, despite the negative consequences these behaviors bring.
Alcohol use disorder is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol or continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems. This disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking. It includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other related problems. It also includes binge drinking — a pattern of drinking where a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at least four drinks within two hours. Binge drinking causes significant health and safety risks.
If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. It can range from mild to severe. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important
The Most Common Characteristics of Addiction
Some of the most common characteristics of addiction include:
- The individual cannot stop taking the substance
Often, an alcohol or drug dependent person has attempted to give up their addiction at least once seriously, but after a period of clean sobriety they started again. They remember the stopping and think they can stop anytime but forget that it was only for short periods which are not enough to be called sober time.
- Health problems do not stop their addiction
The person keeps taking their substance, despite having developed illnesses connected to it. For example, an alcohol addict may keep drinking even after finding out they have a liver disease.
- Giving up recreational and/or social activities
Addiction causes some people to give up or lose involvement in activities. For example, an internet addict may choose not to go camping if they know they won’t have internet access. Likewise, an alcoholic may avoid long trips where they know they will not have access to alcohol.
- Keeping a steady supply
Individuals who are addicted to a substance will always have enough of it around, regardless of the amount of money they have to ensure that they have an adequate supply readily available.
- Saving stashes
Addicted people tend to keep small stashes of their substance hidden away in various locations, such as throughout their house or in their car.
- Risky behaviour
Sometimes, the addicted person may engage in risky behaviour to ensure they can get their substance of choice, such as by trading sex for drugs or money and stealing. On the other hand, an addict who is under the influence of substances may engage in risky activities like reckless driving.
- Excessive consumption
With some addictions, like alcohol and certain drugs, an addict may consume it to excess. This can result in physical symptoms or blackouts, where they cannot remember anything for a certain amount of time.
- Dealing with issues
An addicted individual often feels that they cannot deal with their problems without their drug of choice so they often abuse the substance as a way to self-medicate.
- Obsessing
An addicted individual may spend increasingly more time and energy thinking of ways they can get more of their substance, or even other ways they can use it.
- Secrecy and denial
Many addicts take their substance on their own as well as without anyone knowing about it. If anyone confronts them about their using, they either deny or minimize the problem.
- Having troubles with the law
Addicts may run into problems with the law due to the risks that they take when they are using due to impaired judgment. Or they may break the law in order to obtain their drug of choice.
- Financial problems
If the substance is costly then the addicted person may sacrifice their budget for housing or groceries to ensure they have a secure supply.
- Relationship issues
Addicts often have relationship issues due to their secrecy, which can lead to trust issues. As the relationship deteriorates, violence, anger and emotional abuse often become concerns.
Signs and Symptoms
Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, based on the number of symptoms you experience. Signs and symptoms may include:
- Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
- Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so
- Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use
- Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol
- Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use
- Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it’s causing physical, social, work or relationship problems
- Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies to use alcohol
- Using alcohol in situations where it’s not safe, such as when driving or swimming
- Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — when you don’t drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms
- Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal.
Effects of Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more likely you are to have bad effects. Alcohol intoxication causes behavior problems and mental changes.
These may include
- inappropriate behavior,
- unstable moods,
- poor judgment,
- slurred speech,
- problems with attention or memory, and
- poor coordination
- You can also have periods called “blackouts,” where you don’t remember events.
- Very high blood alcohol levels can lead to coma, permanent brain damage or even death.
Withdrawal Signs
Alcohol withdrawal can occur when alcohol use has been heavy and prolonged and is then stopped or greatly reduced. It can occur within several hours to 4 to 5 days later.
Signs and symptoms include
- sweating,
- rapid heartbeat,
- hand tremors,
- problems sleeping,
- nausea and vomiting,
- hallucinations,
- restlessness and agitation,
- anxiety, and
- Occasionally seizures.
Symptoms can be severe enough to impair your ability to function at work or in social situations.
When to see a doctor
If you think you drink too much alcohol, or drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider or with a mental health professional. You could also seek help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Denial is common and you may think there’s no problem with your drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped.
If your loved one needs help
Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol addiction treatment for advice on how to approach that person.
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