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Published: July 13, 2024
Reviewed by Matthew N. Parker, MD
Alcohol addiction is a widespread issue in the U.S., with alcohol use disorder (AUD) affecting 29.5 million people, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
AUD can be extremely detrimental to an individual’s well-being and even life-threatening, which is why early detection and treatment are so important.
Keep reading to learn all about alcohol addiction (AUD) including what it is, alcohol problems, recognizing symptoms, treatment options, and more.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a medical condition that causes uncontrolled alcohol consumption and reliance on alcohol to function. Unlike other substance use disorders, AUD is typically harder to recognize due to the way alcohol consumption is a large part of socialization for Americans.
It’s important to note that not all alcohol use is considered alcohol misuse. This is because, with proper precaution and care, you can consume alcohol in a responsible manner that does not pose the risks associated with AUD.
That being said, alcohol misuse and dependence can develop quickly, even in someone who has practiced safe drinking habits in the past. “Abuse” and “addiction” (now referred to as “misuse” and “dependence”), though sometimes used interchangeably, are actually two different conditions.
Alcohol misuse is any use of alcohol that is dangerous or falls outside of responsible drinking habits. Though a person who misuses alcohol is not yet reliant on it to function, their drinking habits may interfere with multiple aspects of their life. Alcohol misuse can include habits such as binge drinking, blackouts, participating in drinking games, or drinking alcohol at inappropriate times.
Many times, alcohol misuse develops into alcohol dependence, which is associated with reliance on alcohol to function. When talking about alcohol dependence, you may hear the phrases physical dependence and psychological dependence. These are both parts of substance “addiction” (AUD).
Physical dependence occurs when your body starts to rely on alcohol to perform regular processes. Physical dependence causes withdrawal symptoms that are typically associated with AUD. On the other hand, psychological dependence occurs when you believe you cannot get through the day without alcohol and the thought of alcohol preoccupies your mind regularly.
There are countless physical symptoms associated with alcohol dependence including withdrawal symptoms, increased tolerance, and physical health decline.
As mentioned above, withdrawal symptoms occur when someone has become physically dependent on alcohol. Essentially, withdrawal symptoms are the body’s reaction to a reduction or cessation of alcohol intake after becoming reliant on alcohol to function.
Withdrawal symptoms can include:
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are different for everyone. Some people only experience a few while others may experience many symptoms. Typically, withdrawal symptoms occur around six hours to a few days after you stop drinking or reduce your intake and peak at around 24-72 hours.
With alcohol misuse and dependence comes an increased tolerance for alcohol. When you continually expose your body and brain to an addictive substance, you get used to the effects of alcohol and start to build up a tolerance.
Over time, as your alcohol tolerance increases, you’ll need to drink more to feel the same effects. This exacerbates alcohol misuse and dependence and can put you at higher risk for things like alcohol poisoning.
Finally, alcohol dependence often leads to physical health decline. Alcohol is damaging to many systems in the body and can cause acute and long-term consequences.
Physical health problems can include:
Most of these physical health consequences occur after prolonged, repeated alcohol misuse, but they can be life-threatening if left untreated, which is why early detection is so important.
Behavior and behavioral patterns are also heavily influenced by alcohol dependence. Behavioral symptoms can include increased consumption, neglect of responsibilities, and engaging in risky behaviors.
As mentioned previously, alcohol dependence causes increased tolerance, which causes larger amounts of alcohol to feel the same effects. As a result, people with AUD often start drinking more as time goes on and have an inability to cut down on their alcohol intake due to the psychological and physical symptoms of dependence.
Alcohol dependence can be all-consuming. For many people with AUD, all they can think about is drinking, when they can drink next, and where they will get their next drink. This can divert their attention from daily responsibilities such as work and familial obligations, leading to neglect.
Because alcohol lowers inhibitions, most people are more likely to engage in risky behaviors when they drink. For people with AUD, this effect is amplified as they drink frequently.
Risky behaviors can include drunk driving, unprotected sex, illicit drug use, and other dangerous activities.
Alcohol dependence is known to cause many psychological effects too. From cravings to mood swings to mental preoccupation, the psychological side of AUD is just as pressing.
Alcohol affects your brain chemistry by increasing the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine and inhibiting gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. With repeated abuse, these changes can contribute to alcohol dependence.
This can cause alcohol cravings. Cravings are a strong desire or compulsion to drink that can feel uncontrollable to a person. They may feel as though they cannot go on with their day if they don’t fulfill their craving.
Alcohol is notorious for altering your mood, in part due to the way it affects your brain chemistry. Hangovers and withdrawal are also associated with changes in mood. As a result, people with AUD often experience mood swings through feelings of anxiety, depression, irritability, or even paranoia.
Perhaps the most time-consuming psychological effect of alcohol dependence is the mental preoccupation often associated with it. Because people with AUD are reliant on alcohol, they may spend a lot of time thinking about drinking or even planning their day around alcohol. This is often what leads to a neglect of responsibilities.
AUD can even affect your social patterns and social life. Social symptoms can include isolation, conflict with loved ones, and loss of interest in regular hobbies or activities.
Isolation is a common symptom associated with alcohol dependence. This can occur for several reasons. Some people may withdraw from social activities or even withdraw from relationships due to their dependence. For many, this is because they are preoccupied with the thought of drinking, wanting to drink, or even wanting to hide their alcohol abuse.
Alcohol dependence is known to cause conflict with loved ones as well. Many people experience increased arguments and strained relationships as a result of their drinking. This can be due to mood swings, relationship neglect, or isolation.
A lot of people lose interest in regular activities or hobbies they once enjoyed when struggling with alcohol dependence. This disinterest can be caused by changes in brain chemistry, mental preoccupation, and lack of focus due to cravings.
As you can see, alcohol addiction can greatly impact many areas of your life. As a result, there are many impacts it can have even on your day-to-day life.
First, many people experience a decline in productivity and an increase in absences from their job or education. This can lead to poor work or school performance, creating indirect negative consequences such as losing your job or being expelled from school.
Financial problems are also frequently associated with alcohol dependence. Financial instability can be caused by irresponsible or excessive spending, often on alcohol. People with AUD typically spend large amounts of money on alcohol to support their addiction, which can lead to financial ruin over time.
Many legal issues can come about with alcohol dependence. There are several legal consequences you may face such as being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), public intoxication, or public urination. Arrests can create problems with getting a job or renting property and can have many consequences including hefty fines or court requirements.
There are many disorders that simultaneously occur with alcohol dependence, known as co-occurring disorders.
Mental health disorders are frequently associated with alcohol dependence. Mental illness can be exacerbated or even caused by alcohol misuse. Commonly associated mental health conditions include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Many people with AUD also misuse other substances, leading to additional substance use disorders. This can include dependencies on heroin, cocaine, meth, opioids, or prescription medications.
Identifying alcohol dependence in yourself and others can be life-saving. Early detection, intervention, and encouragement to seek professional help can make all the difference and are associated with countless benefits.
If you’re worried that you may be experiencing alcohol dependence, you may want to try using self-assessment tools. There is a wide variety of questionnaires and checklists online that can help you identify the signs and symptoms in yourself. This is a great first step that should be followed up by an evaluation and diagnosis from a medical professional.
If you’re worried a friend or family member is dependent on alcohol, it is essential to look out for the warning signs of alcohol dependence.
Signs and symptoms can include:
If you notice signs of dependence, consider holding an intervention or encouraging the individual to seek professional help.
Seeking professional help and proper AUD treatment is the best thing you can do if you are dependent on alcohol.
Professional help such as doctors, therapists, addiction specialists, psychiatry professionals, or other healthcare providers is a great place to start your recovery journey. These providers can provide referrals, diagnoses, and some treatment services.
Support groups are another common way people seek help for alcohol dependence. Local support networks can help connect you with people in similar situations. 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous meet regularly and create a fantastic sense of accountability and community.
The best treatment option, however, is alcohol dependence treatment programs. Alcohol treatment programs are specifically designed to treat and manage alcohol dependence through a comprehensive approach that encourages long-lasting recovery.
Rehab programs are typically available in either inpatient or outpatient settings, the former offering round-the-clock care in a treatment facility where participants live for the length of their program and the latter offering treatment several times a week in a care facility that participants travel to regularly.
Every person’s treatment plan will look different but may include evidence-based treatment services such as detoxification (detox) services, medication-assisted therapy (MAT), behavioral therapy, group therapy, or alternative therapies.
Alcohol dependence can have a hazardous impact on your physical health, mental health, relationships, and even your career. There are several signs and symptoms that can help identify alcohol use disorder (AUD). With proper treatment, it’s possible to manage alcohol dependence and maintain long-lasting sobriety.
If you or a loved one is ready to take the first step in their recovery journey, give our helpline a call today for more guidance.
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