Author: Charles Frank

Physical Alcohol Dependence: Risks And Warning Signs

Other common substances that cause dependence are nicotine and pain relievers, particularly narcotics. Stopping suddenly will likely cause symptoms, and they can be serious. So unless it is urgent, gradually cutting down on the amount and how often you use it should make it easier. If you were addicted to the substance, just cutting down wouldn’t ordinarily work. To learn more about alcohol treatment options and search for quality care near you, please visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. In some people, the initial reaction may feel like an increase in energy.

Bone Density and Growth Effects

Studies in humans have found that alcohol can lower the levels of growth and sex hormones in both adolescent boys and girls. In animals, alcohol has been found to disrupt the interaction between the brain, the pituitary gland (which regulates secretion of sex hormones), and the ovaries, as well as systems within the ovaries that are involved in regulating sex hormones. In adolescent male animals, both short- and long-term alcohol administration suppresses testosterone; alcohol use also alters growth hormone levels, the effects of which differ with age. More severe alcohol-related liver disease typically reflects years of heavy alcohol use.

Alcohol’s Effects on the Body

Behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms for the ontogenetic differences in alcohol tolerance and sensitivity are unclear, as is the relationship between differential sensitivity to ethanol and onset of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Early Stage – Though deemed the “early” stage, this stage is where a regular drinking pattern develops. Tolerance becomes noticeable, as you must drink more to reach the desired effect and feeling. In this transitional stage, as the disease becomes more severe, you may experience frequent blackouts and find that drinking and alcohol consume much of your thoughts. Due to increased tolerance, when not drinking, you may experience mild withdrawal symptoms common to physical alcohol dependence, including anxiety, shakiness, headache, insomnia, heart palpitations, and stomach problems such as nausea or vomiting. During puberty, accelerating cascades of growth factors and sex hormones set off sexual maturation, growth in stature and muscle mass, and bone development.

The Cycle of Alcohol Addiction

If you’ve had two or three of those symptoms in the past year, that’s a mild alcohol use disorder. Many people with AUD do recover, but setbacks are common among people in treatment. Seeking professional help early can prevent a return to drinking.

Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. If you are physically dependent on alcohol, you may feel like you are unable to function without it and experience obsessive thoughts about drinking. While these factors alone do not mean your condition classifies as alcohol addiction, it can be a contributing factor if proper treatment is not sought. Using alcohol during adolescence (from preteens to mid-20s) may affect brain development, making it more likely that they will be diagnosed with AUD later in life. However, most people with AUD—no matter their age or the severity of their alcohol problems—can benefit from treatment with behavioral health therapies, medications, or both. As individuals continue to drink alcohol over time, progressive changes may occur in the structure and function of their brains.

Growth and Endocrine Effects

Physical dependence on alcohol is a serious condition that can contribute to the development of alcohol addiction and other medical issues, but help is available. If you or a loved one thinks they are experiencing physical alcohol dependence, do not hesitate to contact a treatment provider to explore your treatment options. Mid-Stage – Mid-stage alcohol dependence is marked by a loss of control over both cravings for alcohol and drinking habits. In addition, your alcohol use may significantly impact your personal, professional, and social life.

You may struggle with maintaining relationships with friends or family, and personality changes may occur. Physical effects, such as organ damage and changes to your outward appearance, may also start to present. Alcohol addiction is a psychological disease defined as one’s inability to control alcohol consumption. This umbrella term illustrates a form of high-risk drinking that typically includes excessive drinking, an intense alcohol craving, and continued alcohol use despite realizing how it interferes with your daily life. Thus, the data so far indicate that females who consume alcohol during early adolescence may be at risk for adverse effects on maturation of the reproductive system.

Finally, there’s the myth that if you relapse after beating your addiction, you have failed. Just like with other diseases, sometimes you need multiple treatments or repeat treatments. For example, we have long been told that people need to hit “rock bottom” before they’ll get help, but this isn’t true. Anyone with an addiction can get help at any point if they feel it’s the right time.

You may need a medically supervised alcohol detox if you are physically dependent on alcohol. This is due to the high risks the withdrawal effects may have on the body, which may even be fatal. At-Risk Stage – Known as the pre-alcoholic stage, this is when you choose to drink socially or at home. You may use alcohol to feel better after a long day, to relieve stress, or to cope with certain emotions and stressors; you may also be drinking more than intended.

Physical dependence on a drug is also different from addiction. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics says more than 20 million people over the age of 12 in the United States have substance use disorder. Most commonly, the cases are related to marijuana and prescription pain relievers. Addiction is considered “highly treatable.” But it can take a few tries for the therapy to be fully effective.

1. The reasons for these differences in sensitivity to alcohol remain unclear.
2. Lastly, you may start to develop a tolerance for alcohol but may not notice it yet.
3. Caffeine is an example of a common substance that causes physical dependence.

Effects of short-term alcohol use

Health conditions, like cardiovascular and liver diseases, may be caused or exasperated by your alcohol use, and death from alcohol poisoning or long-term effects of alcohol use is imminent if treatment is not sought. Aside from intense cravings and consuming thoughts of alcohol, when not drinking, you may experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including visual or hearing disturbances or hallucinations, delirium, and possibly seizures. Although increased tolerance to alcohol’s sedative effects may enable greater intake in adolescents, repeated exposure to alcohol may produce increased sensitivity to alcohol’s harmful effects.

Lastly, you may start to develop a tolerance for alcohol but may not notice it yet. If you believe you have an addiction, it’s never too late to look for help. Speak with your doctor or contact a substance abuse clinic. Working with a health care professional will allow you to explore the options to treat your addiction.