Alcohol Addiction: Signs, Causes & Alcohol Rehab

Understanding Alcohol Addiction

What Is Alcohol Addiction?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol addiction is a chronic health condition associated with compulsive alcohol consumption, loss of control over consumption, and a negative emotional state when you can’t access alcohol.

What Amount of Alcohol Drinking Implies Addiction?

You may have an alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder (AUD) if you have a loss of control or an inability to stop drinking alcohol despite experiencing adverse social, occupational consequences, mental health conditions, or health problems.

How Do You Know if Your Drinking Is Becoming Alcohol Misuse?

In general, you may be engaging in alcohol misuse if your alcohol drinking patterns involve situations, amounts, or frequencies that are harmful to you or any loved one around you.

Common drinking patterns that constitute alcohol misuse include binge drinking and heavy drinking.

Effects of Alcohol Consumption

What Does Alcohol Do to Your Body?

Heavy alcohol consumption, whether during a single occasion or over time, can cause significant damage to your body by damaging your liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal system, lungs, cardiovascular system, immune system, and brain, among others.

Some of the ways excessive alcohol use can harm these different organs and bodily systems include:

• Liver disease and inflammation of the pancreas: Cirrhosis and pancreatitis 
• Lungs: Acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, respiratory infections
• Gastrointestinal system: Leaky gut, colorectal cancer, inflammation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Cardiovascular system: Cardiomyopathy, hypertension, arrhythmia, heart disease, heart attack
• Immune system: Risk of infection, HIV, inflammation, alcohol-related organ damage
• The brain: Changes to mood and behavior, poor coordination, risk of stroke

Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to health problems related to your nervous system, endocrine system, oral cavity, circulatory system, and musculoskeletal system.

​Is Alcohol a Stimulant or a Depressant?

Alcohol can produce stimulant-like effects initially, but it’s a depressant that slows down brain and central nervous system activity as your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) goes up and eventually plateaus. 

What Are Alcohol-Related Health Issues?

Common alcohol-related health problems include liver disease, certain types of cancer like esophageal, colon, and breast cancer, heart failure, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorder (SUD).

Excessive alcohol use can also impede your ability to manage other health problems like hypertension and diabetes. 

Does Alcohol Raise Blood Pressure?

Yes, excessive alcohol use or alcohol consumption in large amounts can raise your blood pressure.

Does Alcohol Affect the Kidneys?

Yes, long-term alcohol consumption can impair kidney function, which can lead to chronic kidney disease.

How Does Drinking Alcohol Lead to Liver Disease?

Alcohol-related liver disease occurs after years of heavy drinking when toxic fat builds up in the liver and causes cirrhosis, which is inflammation and scarring of the liver.

However, alcohol-related liver disease doesn’t immediately turn into cirrhosis; rather, liver disease progresses in stages. 

Early stages of liver disease include steatosis, commonly called fatty liver disease, in which excess fat builds up in the liver. Then it can progress to hepatitis, which is when the excess fat in the liver causes inflammation. 

Late-stage liver disease is cirrhosis, which occurs after long-lasting inflammation has cause significant damage the liver tissue, replacing most of the healthy tissue with scar tissue. This level of liver damage typically leads to liver failure.

Does Drinking Alcohol Cause Weight Gain?

Yes, heavy alcohol consumption, especially in one sitting, can contribute to weight gain. 

Some of the ways drinking alcohol can contribute to weight gain include:

• Empty calories: Alcoholic beverages are typically high in calories
• Slowed metabolism: Your body focuses on metabolizing alcohol over other nutrients, leading to slower fat burning
• Craving food: Alcohol can stimulate hunger and lower inhibitions, leading to poorer food choices

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Addiction?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the long-term effects of drinking alcohol lead to an increased risk for a variety of health problems:

• Irregular heartbeat, hypertension, and increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure
• Liver damage, liver failure, kidney injury, and dysfunction 
• Memory problems, learning difficulties, risk of dementia, and reproductive issues
• Various types of cancer and a weakened immune system
• Chronic digestive inflammation and an increased risk of gastrointestinal disease
• Cause or worsen certain mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety disorders

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

How Can I Recognize the Signs of Alcohol Addiction in Myself or Others?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), some signs you or a loved one may be drinking too much include:

• Drinking more or longer than you intended 
• Trying to cut back, but you’re unable to stop
• Tolerance, when you drink more than you used to need to achieve the same effect
• Spending a lot of time drinking alcohol and thinking about drinking alcohol
• Alcohol consumption interferes with your daily life, work, relationships, and mental health

What Are Common Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

Common warning signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder include:

• Wanting to cut back, but you’re unable to and experiencing an intense craving for alcohol
• You cut back on or give up activities to drink alcohol instead
• Drinking alcohol in unsafe situations, like driving or swimming
• Engaging in risky behavior like unprotected sex
• You keep drinking even though it’s causing issues with loved ones 
• Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms 
• Continuing to drink despite feeling depressed or anxious, experiencing other health problems, or blackouts

What Are Alcohol Cravings?

Alcohol cravings are intense urges to drink alcohol and are an automatic response to external and internal triggers like environmental cues or emotional states.

Experiencing alcohol cravings can be an indication of alcohol use disorder, as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes it as part of the diagnostic criteria for AUD.

Do I Have a Drinking Problem?

Some ways to know you may have a problem with alcohol include:

• You are questioning if your alcohol consumption is a problem
• Loved ones have told you that you have a problem, or they’re worried about your drinking
• You continue drinking alcohol despite having negative consequences on your life
• Your alcohol consumption exceeds the amount recommended by the NIAAA
• You repeatedly consume more alcohol than you planned
• Alcohol consumes your thoughts, and you plan most, if not all, activities around drinking

Causes of Alcohol Addiction

What Causes Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol use disorder is caused by repeated, excessive alcohol use.

The frequency and amount of alcohol you consume rewires the brain’s reward processing system by activating the system that mediates pleasure and reducing the activity that mediates negative emotional states.

Do Mental Health Disorders Cause Increased Risk of Alcohol Problems?

Yes, mental health conditions come with an increased risk of developing alcohol problems or alcohol use disorder.

In particular, mental health conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other substance abuse, as well as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can increase the risk of AUD.

Does Alcohol Worsen Other Substance Use Disorders?

Yes, alcohol consumption can worsen other substance abuse by increasing your risk for relapse from other primary drug abuse, like an opioid.

Specifically, drinking alcohol can induce relapse by lowering your inhibitions and triggering those familiar reward pathways, which can increase your craving for that primary drug. 

Additionally, you may relapse by increasing your alcohol consumption as a substitute for the absence of the primary drug.

Does a Family History of Heavy Drinking Lead to Addiction?

No, a family history of heavy drinking doesn’t guarantee that you’ll develop an alcohol addiction.

Although a parent or other close relative with alcohol problems can increase your risk for alcohol addiction, other risk factors play a role too. Some of the other risk factors that can contribute to alcohol addiction include, parenting style, family dynamics, and household environment and lack of stability.

What Other Risk Factors Contribute to Alcohol Addiction?

In addition to family history, mental health conditions, and other substance abuse, several risk factors can contribute to the development of AUD:

• Genetics: Can influence metabolism, how the brain processes reward, and behavioral traits
• Age: Consuming alcohol as adolescents, especially before age 15, puts young people at an increased risk for AUD
• Frequency: Excessive alcohol use for an extended period or binge drinking regularly 
• Cultural norms: Societal attitudes towards drinking and the glamorization of alcohol in media
• Exposure: Childhood trauma and chronic stress
• Other risk factors: Peer pressure and influence from family or romantic partners

Alcohol Withdrawal & Symptoms

What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

When you stop drinking alcohol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.

During withdrawal, your body starts to recover, your brain starts repairing some damage, your risk for alcohol-related health conditions decreases, your mental health starts to improve, and your overall well-being improves.

Some of the physical and mental health improvements you may see after you stop drinking alcohol include:

• Clearer thinking, improved concentration, and better memory
• Greater overall happiness, more energy, and feeling more motivated and productive
• May see improvements in your relationships
• Improved heart, liver, and immune function, lower blood pressure, and better sleep quality
• Decreased risk for cancer, liver disease, heart disease, and stroke

What Are Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

• Headaches, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and heart palpitations
• Anxiety, nervousness, irritability, depression, and mood swings
• High body temperature, excessive sweating, and tremors in the hands or other body parts
• Upset stomach, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, confusion, and disorientation

How Long Can Alcohol Withdrawal Last?

Withdrawal is different for everyone, but on average, alcohol withdrawal can last for 3 to 7 days.

When Is Medical Detox Needed to Withdraw Safely?

Medical detox with a healthcare provider in an inpatient treatment setting is the safest way to withdraw and often the most effective course for alcohol or drug abuse recovery.

Alcohol withdrawal can become life-threatening with symptoms like hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens (DTs). Professional medical detox helps mitigate these risks and ensures safety. 

Alcohol Addiction & Relationships

Can Alcohol Dependence Impact Families?

Yes, alcohol dependence can have a significant impact on the well-being of your family.

You may neglect your responsibilities at home and even face financial or legal problems that impact every aspect of your life. A preoccupation with alcohol can also force you to divert resources from engaging in hobbies and spending time with family to drinking alcohol and thinking about drinking alcohol. 

Some of the ways alcohol dependence can impact your family include:

• Arguments, increased stress, and health problems
• Child neglect and abuse, relationship neglect, conflict, and decreased happiness
• Financial strain or instability, bankruptcy, or poverty
• Codependency, social isolation, and poor mental health

How Can Alcohol Dependence Impact Relationships With Friends?

The effects of alcohol dependence can alter, strain, and end relationships with friends because of unpredictable behavior, prioritizing alcohol over friends, emotional distance, social withdrawal, increased conflict, and loss of trust.

How Does Alcohol Dependence Affect Professional Relationships?

The effects of alcohol dependence make you less productive, unpredictable, and unreliable, which can contribute to loss of credibility, trust, and respect, and increased tension and conflict in your professional relationships.

Alcohol Treatment

​How Do I Quit Drinking Alcohol?

Taking steps to quit drinking alcohol starts with reaching out for support from a healthcare provider to talk about your relationship with alcohol, learn how it’s affecting your health, and get referrals for alcohol treatment, psychiatry, and support groups.

What Evidence-Based Therapies Are Available for Alcohol Rehab?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), contingency management (CM), family and couples counseling, peer support groups, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) like naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, when appropriate, are effective evidence-based therapies for alcohol treatment.

Will I Need Detox Before Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

Yes, medical detox is the first step in alcohol addiction treatment – detoxing without medical supervision from health professionals can result in severe and dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Medical detox ensures you have a safe and comfortable withdrawal process and access to psychiatric support for a smoother transition into an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program.

Does Behavioral Healthcare Aid in Recovery?

Yes, evidence-based behavioral healthcare can aid in lasting change and recovery by connecting you with professionals who can help you:

• Set individual goals and identify your triggers to reduce your craving for alcohol
• Foster healthy coping skills, improve stress management, and strengthen emotional regulation
• Repair and strengthen relationships with loved ones through family counseling
• Build new mutually supportive relationships with peers in support groups

At Legacy Outdoor Adventures, we believe in the power of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council (OBH) as the prescriptive use of outdoor experiences to enhance adventure programs for your individual therapeutic needs. 

With a focus on outdoor behavioral healthcare, our experienced health professionals ensure every client receives whole-person care with outdoor living experiences, group living, individual and group therapy, and a collaborative therapeutic process. 

Does Treatment Address Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions?

Yes, an integrated treatment program can simultaneously address SUD and co-occurring mental health conditions for whole-person, coordinated care that supports an effective treatment plan and better long-term outcomes.

At Legacy Outdoor Adventures, we understand the importance of psychiatric services for addressing co-occurring SUD and mental health conditions. With psychiatric support, you can reduce or eliminate symptoms of co-occurring health conditions, so you can more easily focus on healing.

Does Addiction Treatment Involve Relapse Prevention?

Yes, a relapse prevention plan is a crucial part of addiction treatment that provides education and strategies that support sustained recovery.

Some of the educational and practical tools that relapse prevention can support include:

• Improving awareness by teaching you about your addiction
• Teaching you how to recognize early warning signs of relapse
• Helping you identify and manage triggers and foster healthy coping strategies
• Teaching you how to build a personalized relapse prevention plan
• Building a support system that provides accountability and helps you maintain motivation