Understanding the Core Features of Alcohol Use Disorder
Key features of alcoholism or alcohol use disorder include:
- Loss of Control: Individuals with alcoholism often find it challenging to limit the amount of alcohol they consume. Once they start drinking, they may be unable to stop or control the quantity they drink.
- Craving: There is a strong desire or craving for alcohol, leading to a preoccupation with obtaining and consuming it.
- Physical Dependence: With prolonged and heavy alcohol use, physical dependence can develop. This dependence may lead to withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety.
- Tolerance: Over time, individuals with alcohol use disorder may develop tolerance, requiring larger amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired effects that a lower quantity once provided.
- Continued Use Despite Consequences: Despite experiencing negative consequences such as health problems, strained relationships, legal issues, or occupational difficulties, individuals with alcoholism continue to drink.
- Neglect of Other Activities: As a result of excessive drinking, individuals may neglect responsibilities at work, home, or school, and may withdraw from social and recreational activities.
Alcoholism exists on a spectrum, with mild to severe forms. Some individuals may exhibit a few symptoms, while others may experience a more pervasive and severe impact on their lives.
What causes alcohol addiction?
Addiction to alcohol can occur for a variety of reasons. There is no single cause for alcoholism, and not every person who drinks will become dependent on alcohol. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), various factors can increase a person’s risk for alcohol misuse. These factors include:
- Family history. Having a parent who is addicted to alcohol increases a person’s risk for developing alcoholism. Being exposed to heavy drinking as a child increases their likelihood of developing a dependence on alcohol.
- Drinking at an early age. Those who begin drinking before age 15 are more likely to have an alcohol use disorder than those who waited until they were 21. If you experiment with drinking at an early age, you are more likely to have a problem with alcohol later in life.
- Gender. Men are more likely to develop alcoholism than women.
- Mental health conditions. Having a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder can put a person at a higher risk for alcoholism. The numbing effects of alcohol can ease the symptoms of a mental health condition; over time, the person craves the numbing quality and can become addicted.
- Environment. Living in a stressful environment or being under large amounts of stress at work can cause a person to drink heavily as a means to escape.
- Past trauma. Those who experienced childhood trauma such as a divorce, physical or sexual abuse, or a loss of a parent are at a higher risk for alcoholism.
- Binge drinking. Consuming large amounts of alcohol over short periods of time can lead to dependency on and abuse of alcohol.
- Peer pressure. Being surrounded by others who drink, such as a spouse or close friends, can cause a person to give in and drink due to peer pressure. Drinking excessively and more often can lead to dependency problems.
