Author: Charles Frank

The Cycle of Alcohol Addiction National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAAA

Many treatment options exist and can propel those struggling with an alcohol use disorder onto the right path for long-term recovery. If you believe recovery is right for you or your loved one, contact a treatment provider today to discuss available options for rehabilitation facilities. A BAC of 0.09% to 0.25% causes lethargy, sedation, balance problems and blurred vision. A BAC of 0.18% to 0.30% causes profound confusion, impaired speech (e.g. slurred speech), staggering, dizziness and vomiting. A BAC from 0.35% to 0.80% causes a coma (unconsciousness), life-threatening respiratory depression and possibly fatal alcohol poisoning.

Each drinking relapse is an opportunity to learn and recommit to sobriety, so you’ll be less likely to relapse in the future. When you drink, sip slowly and take a break of 30 minutes or one hour between drinks. Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea, so make sure you eat food when you drink. It’s much easier to avoid drinking if you don’t keep temptations around. Keep a record of your drinking to help you reach your goal. For 3 to 4 weeks, write down every time you have a drink and how much you drink.

Overcoming an addiction to alcohol can be a long and bumpy road. If you’re ready to stop drinking and willing to get the support you need, you can recover from alcoholism and alcohol abuse—no matter how heavy your drinking or how powerless you feel. And you don’t have to wait until you hit rock bottom; you can make a change at any time. Whether you want to quit drinking altogether or cut down to healthier levels, these guidelines can help you get started on the road to recovery today. This cycle can become the foundation for multiple substance use disorders and other addictions. It is not uncommon to find food, sex, drugs, and even impulsive behaviors (e.g., shopping) becoming unhealthy coping strategies for negative emotions.

Impact on your health

If identified and treated early, someone with an alcohol addiction may be able to avoid major consequences of the disease. Build a sober social network – If your previous social life revolved around alcohol, you may need to make some new connections. It’s important to have sober friends who will support your recovery. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in your community. Support can come from family members, friends, counselors, other recovering alcoholics, your healthcare providers, and people from your faith community.

Others need medical supervision in order to withdraw from alcohol safely and comfortably. Which option is best for you depends on how much you’ve been drinking, how long you’ve had a problem, the stability of your living situation, and other health issues you may have. If your goal is to reduce your drinking, decide which days you will drink alcohol and how many drinks you will allow yourself per day. Try to commit to at least two days each week when you won’t drink at all. These chemical signals are generally referred to as neurotransmitters. They are an essential part of the brain’s ability to function, including regulating virtually all of the body’s organs and managing daily tasks, like working, eating, and sleeping.

Reviewing the results, you may be surprised at your weekly drinking habits. Once you’ve made the decision to change, the next step is establishing clear drinking goals. The more specific, realistic, and clear your goals, the better. Make a table like the one below, weighing the costs and benefits of drinking to the costs and benefits of quitting. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you need help finding a mental health specialist.

AA and Other Peer Support Groups for Alcohol Addiction

Express your concerns in a caring way and encourage your friend or family member to get help. Try to remain neutral and don’t argue, lecture, accuse, or threaten. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which slows down important parts of the body’s functioning.

1. It is not uncommon to find food, sex, drugs, and even impulsive behaviors (e.g., shopping) becoming unhealthy coping strategies for negative emotions.
2. Make it clear that drinking will not be allowed in your home and that you may not be able to attend events where alcohol is being served.
3. Offer your support along each step of the recovery journey.
4. Build a sober social network – If your previous social life revolved around alcohol, you may need to make some new connections.
5. Once this phase begins, drinking becomes less about pleasure and more about feeling “normal,” resulting in a cycle of alcohol use characterized medically as alcohol use disorder.

For those with alcohol addiction, the inability to stop drinking is present regardless of the consequences that may occur from their continued alcohol use. Over time, abruptly ending alcohol use could become fatal without proper medical care. Someone with an alcohol addiction who has remained sober for months or years may find themselves drinking again. They may binge drink once or drink for a period of time before getting sober again. It’s important that the person get back on track and resume treatment.

AUD looks different for everyone, making it difficult for people to see themselves as having an alcohol problem, especially if they don’t drink every day. The truth is, drinking every day is not a prerequisite for alcohol use disorder. Some of the most dangerous alcohol use conditions often involve binge drinking or drinking large amounts of alcohol in one sitting, rather than consuming a few drinks daily. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition categorized as the inability to stop or control alcohol use.

What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder?

Many people addicted to alcohol also turn to 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). There are also other support groups that don’t follow the 12-step model, such as SMART Recovery and Sober Recovery. Unlike cocaine or heroin, alcohol is widely available and accepted in many cultures. It’s often at the center of social situations and closely linked to celebrations and enjoyment.

You aren’t to blame for your loved one’s drinking problem and you can’t make them change. Research the kinds of treatment that are available and discuss these options with your friend or family member. Make it clear that drinking will not be allowed in your home and that you may not be able to attend events where alcohol is being served.

Severity is based on the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms—mild (2–3 criteria), moderate (4–5 criteria), or severe (6 or more criteria). Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide.org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges. Please donate today to help us save, support, and change lives.

Alcohol has considerable toxic effects on the digestive and cardiovascular systems. Alcoholic beverages are classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and increase the risk of several cancer types. Alcohol as an immunosuppressant increases the risk of communicable diseases, including tuberculosis and HIV. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually start within hours after you stop drinking, peak in a day or two, and improve within five days. But in some alcoholics, withdrawal is not just unpleasant—it can be life threatening.

This could mean an emphasis on therapy for someone who is depressed, or inpatient treatment for someone with severe withdrawal symptoms. Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important. 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.

The Cycle of Alcohol Addiction

Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t 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. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help.

The social acceptance of drinking can often lead to denial — and, if left untreated, severe consequences. Ultimately, sobriety is the responsibility of the person who has the alcohol addiction. It’s important to not enable destructive behaviors and to maintain appropriate boundaries if the person with the alcohol addiction is still drinking. This can mean cutting off financial assistance or making it difficult for them to fulfill the addiction. Several evidence-based treatment approaches are available for AUD.