What is alcohol addiction?

Alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, simple means you have an addiction to alcohol. It is broadly any drinking that causes the person mental and physical health problems.

There are many types of alcoholics. Some will have a preoccupation with consuming alcohol daily. Others may hold down a full-time job and only drink in the evenings or at weekends. And there are others who can do without alcohol for a number of weeks, or even months, but would still be consider an addict. (Dry drunk symptoms)

Some will continue to use alcohol even when it causes them major problems, either mental, physically or in their work or personal life. Some may have realized that they need to drink more to get the same effect from the alcohol. Or that they are having withdrawal symptoms when they rapidly decrease or stop drinking.

The point is that there are many different types of alcoholics. Many are married and holding down successful careers or are business owners. It doesn’t matter what type of alcohol you consume or the quantity really.  It doesn’t matter that you can go weeks, or even a few months, without alcohol.  What matters is that you use alcohol to help you function or “get through” your life.

A Note On Binge Drinking: A pattern of drinking where a male consumes five or more drinks within two hours or where a female drinks at least four drinks within two hours. Please be aware that binge drinking causes significant health and safety risks for you. If this has become a pattern for you, and you can not stop by yourself, it may have become a larger issue so please seek help.

What Are The Symptoms Of Alcoholism?

Alcohol addiction can be mild, moderate or severe, based on the number of symptoms you experience. These can include:

1. Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink once you start drinking.
2. Wanting to cut down on how much you drink but you are unable to do so.
3. Or you have made unsuccessful attempts to do so.
4. Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use.
5. Feeling a strong craving, or urge, to drink alcohol. This increases in times of stress.
6. Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use.
7. Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it’s causing physical (health issues), social ( such as not bothering to socialize or only socializing when a drink is involved) or interpersonal problems (such as losing friends, family or relationships problems). You may not want to admit this to even yourself but you will know it’s true.
8. Behavioural problems when you’re not drinking (Dry drunk symptoms)
9. Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies/interests. Or your interests always end up involving drinking afterwards.
10. Using alcohol in situations where it’s not safe, such as when driving or swimming.
11. Developing a tolerance to alcohol. So you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount.
12. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating and shaking, when you don’t drink. Or you are drinking to avoid these symptoms.
13. Experiencing blackouts while drinking i.e. you are not remembering what happened the night before.
14. Manipulating others to get drink or money for drink.
15. Lying about what you drink or that you have been drinking to others.
16. Drinking in secret (when you are alone) and lying about this.

Alcohol addiction can include periods of alcohol intoxication and symptoms of withdrawal.

1. Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more impaired you become and results in behaviour problems and mental changes. These include inappropriate behaviour, unstable moods, impaired judgment, slurred speech, impaired 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 or even death.
2. 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 or up to four or five days later. 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.

Getting Help For Alcohol Addiction

More than likely, because denial is common, you may not feel like you have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use.

Listening to your partner, children, relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help may have triggered you to become aware you have a problem.

If not, and you think you may have a problem, consider talking with someone who has had a problem drinking, but has stopped. If you don’t know someone go to an open AA meeting and listen to what is being said by the members.

If you are willing to admit you might have a problem with alcohol then your first port of call should be your GP. They can advise you on what is best for your treatment plan and they can run medical tests for any health-related issues you may be experiencing.

This can involve going into rehab but not always. You will need to see a counsellor who specializes in alcoholism to find the root cause of your addiction. You may also consider joining AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), many men and women have found this is the best way towards sobriety after alcoholism.

Please note that family and friends will also need help and should seek their own therapy if they are involved with an addict.

What Causes Alcoholism?

There are many causes thought to cause alcoholism, these can include:

• Genetic
• Psychological factors
• Social and environmental factors
• Child abuse and neglect
• Other mental health issues such as PTSD and depression

The why you drink causes above are not limited and alcohol addiction is something, like all addictions, a very personalized behaviour to the individual concerned.

What Are The Risk Factors Involved In Alcohol Addiction?

Impact on your safety: Excessive drinking can reduce your judgment skills and lower inhibitions. This will lead to poor choices and dangerous situations or behaviours such as (but not limited to) motor accidents and legal problems.

Impact on your health:  Drinking too much alcohol on a single occasion or over time can cause health problems. The can include: Liver disease; heart problems; diabetes complications; digestion problems; sexual function; eye problems; birth defects; bone damage; neurological complications; weakened immune system; increased risk of cancer; medication and alcohol interactions. This is not a complete list by no means and you should check with your doctor if you suspect your health is affected by alcohol.

Help for family and friends 

If your partner, child, family member or friend is an alcoholic I would suggest very strongly that you seek help yourself.

When we are involved with an alcoholic we tend to be very enabling towards them and develop what is known as codependency.

We may need to seek help even before the alcoholic is receiving treatment. As unfortunately some alcoholics are unable to seek treatment during the course of their lives.

Please speak to your GP for any medical related issues you have such as depression, anxiety or physical related issues as these can be quite common in family and friends of addicts.

Then seek counseling to enable you to speak about what is going on in your life. I would also suggest you join Al-anon which is a 12 step program for family and friends of alcoholics. Again you don’t have to wait until the alcoholic is attending AA to join.

What are some steps you can take to help yourself and your loved one?

The following are some steps you can take to help yourself and your loved one.

1. Remember you cannot change someone else. You can only change yourself so please seek your own therapy to help you cope with the situation.
2. You cannot get someone to receive help unless they are willing to do so. So please stop trying and therapy can help you do this.
3. You didn’t cause this addiction and any other additional problems associated with it.
4. You cannot cure this addiction but you can ask for help for yourself so you can better understand how to deal with your loved one’s behaviour and help yourself.
5. Stop covering for them. Allow them to take the responsibility for their addiction and all the consequences that comes with it.
6. Don’t interrogate the person it won’t help you or them.
7. Instead, you need to start to bring your focus to you, and any children involved. Seek help and advice from your GP, counseling, FLAC (free legal advice in Ireland that can explain to you your legal rights) and MABS.(financial advice and free service they will also help talk to your creditors, as with any other addiction money issues will arise as money is spent on alcohol).
8. Stop giving, or lending, money to the person involved. You are only enabling them if you do.
9. If you are earning money yourself make sure they do not have access to your bank account or any savings. Yes, it will go on alcohol.

I know this might seem harsh but it is both true and necessary advise. For further information please see my post on Codependency.

You might also like to check out my posts on drug or gambling addictions and dry drunks .

Work With Me.

Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.