From Cause to Cure: A Deep Dive into Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Alcoholism is another term used for alcohol addiction. It is an intricate condition associated with the overwhelming consumption of alcohol, despite its negative consequences for both physical and mental health. A person suffering from Alcohol use Disorder (AUD) has an uncontainable urge to consume alcohol, regardless of its detrimental psychological, social, physical, and occupational outcomes on individuals and even on their families. Excessive use of alcohol leads towards liver and heart diseases, high blood pressure, cancer of the stomach, liver, breast, esophagus, and pancreas, memory problems, alcohol violence and abuse, assassination, accidents, suicides and the destruction of personal relations. Millions of people are affected by alcoholism worldwide, and it can be mild, moderate, or acute.

Alcohol intake has vigorous effects on the brain, consuming alcohol produces intense pleasure and blunts gloomy feelings. Despite the detrimental impacts on individuals’ health and well-being, such shifts in feelings elevate the urge of people to drink alcohol over and over again. For instance, it has been observed that drinking alcohol helps people deal with stress; although it provides temporary relief, people find it commendable to take themselves out of emotional discomfort. These sedative feelings encourage them to consume more alcohol and gradually they become addicted to alcohol.

Addiction to alcohol is regulated by environmental, social, psychological, genetic and physical factors.

• Genetics play a crucial role in alcoholism if a parent is addicted to alcohol, chances are too high that a person may develop an alcohol addiction.
• One of the major causes of alcohol addiction is poor emotional management, such as stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, or any other mental health issues.
• Environmrebent plays a crucial role in alcohol addiction if a person lives and grows up in an environment where drinking is frequent, he must have chances of develop addiction.
• To get rid of alcoholism is like investing in your future in a worthwhile way. Nowadays, treating alcoholism is not an unattainable task, one can go back to a healthy and desirable life. To treat alcohol addiction, several factors are crucial for complete recovery, which include personal motivation, medical history, and family support.
• Detoxification is the first step towards alcohol addiction recovery. Normally, 2 to 7 days are required to detox.
• Learning new skills involves therapists, where specialist help in goal setting, counselling, building support systems and dealing with stress so a person stays serene for a long period of time. However, medication is not very helpful in dealing with alcoholism, still, therapists use a few medicines to lessen the effect of addiction and lead towards fast recovery, like disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone, to make you feel sick from alcohol consumption, consider cravings, and reduce the desire to drink, respectively.
• Alcohol addiction recovery requires perpetual and diligent behaviour. Positive attitudes and healthy eating habits have a positive influence on addicted person.

The nature of alcohol addiction

Alcohol addiction is also known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). It is defined as continuous consumption of alcohol along with inability to control intake of alcohol without knowing its consequences on mind and body’s health. It is chronic disease which involves loss of control on alcohol consumption. Alcohol directly effects the brain as well as body because it temporarily eliminates emotional stress by providing pleasurable feelings. These sensations encourage people to drink alcohol and, moreover, to cope with stress, causing them to get stuck in harmful conditions.

Symptoms

Alcoholism involves symptoms depending on behavioral changes:

• Continuous craving of beverages containing alcohol.
• Drinking alcohol at inappropriate times, such as at work or in the morning after waking up.
• Getting in rage when unable to drink.
• Spending more time with people who are alcohol addicts.
• Failing to accomplish work or home commitments.
• Spending a lot of time on drinking.
• Poor memory problems.
• Inability to take proper decisions.

Stages of alcohol addiction

Reasonable drinking is not very concerning in adults, but log term alcohol abuse can lead to addiction. Alcohol addiction has several stages, as it isn’t created overnight.

1. Early stage:

Alcoholism starts with occasional drinking and by experimenting with limits. These drinkers do not drink regularly, but when they drink, they consume a large amount. Drinking alcohol in large amount cause them to depend upon the feeling they get while drinking. Consumption of large amounts may lead to coma or even death.

2. Middle stage:

Binge drinking or drinking occasionally can lead a person to intake alcohol more frequent; instead of drinking on any occasion, these drinkers start drinking on every weekend. They become more dependent on alcohol by increasing alcohol consumption that you find reasons to drink weekly.

3. Problematic Drinking:

Third stage of alcohol addiction is problematic drinking, in which you start depending on alcohol. In this stage, stopping alcohol consumption may cause withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, headaches, anxiety, fatigue, mood changes, gastrointestinal disturbances, heart palpitations, and many more, which may cause you to drink regularly.

4. End stage drinking:

The final stage of alcoholism is addiction, in which you no longer want to drink for emotional pleasure, but now drinking has become your habit and a physical need. In this stage, you cannot survive without drinking and physically crave the substance. People with alcohol addiction drink whenever they want, without concern for what time it is.

Causes of alcohol addiction

Most common causes of alcohol consumption are genetic factors, psychological factors, environmental factors and social influences:

• Genetic Factors:

Genetic factors can contribute to alcohol addiction. A family history of alcohol addiction may increase the risk of alcoholism. The genes that are found in alcohol addicts are ADH1B and ALDH2. ADH1B is responsible in alcohol metabolism by converting ethanol to acetaldehyde, and ALDH2 converts acetaldehyde to acetate, resulting in a slower metabolism.

• Psychological Factors:

Psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are strongly associated with the development of alcoholism, as alcohol gives temporary pleasure in such conditions.

• Environmental Factors:

Living in an environment where there is easy access to alcohol may lead to alcohol addiction. When a person is going through hard times, dealing with stressful events, financial disturbances, or the death of a loved one can trigger alcohol use.

• Social Influences:

When alcohol consumption is acceptable of encouraged, alcohol abuse is more likely to increase. Social circles and peer pressure can impact drinking patterns. Having friendships with alcohol addicts may also lead to poor drinking habits.

Physical and Mental Health Effects:

Alcohol consumption can have serious effects on both physical and mental health. Alcoholism is found to play an informal role in more than 200 diseases and other health conditions. The following are the effects of alcohol consumption on body:

Short-term Effects of Alcohol Use:

• Dose of alcohol generates feelings of relaxation and reduces stress.
• Alcohol effects on muscle control cause loss of balance, accidents, injuries, and slurred speech.
• It can cause lethargy, resulting in always sleepy condition.
• Higher alcohol consumption disturbs the stomach, causing nausea and vomiting.
• In the short term,  alcohol effects memory, mood swings, impaired judgment, and decision making.
• Alcohol consumption increases urine production and causes dehydration, which may lead to headaches and other conditions.

Long-term health consequences:

Long-term use of alcohol may lead a person to experience adverse health effects such as cardiovascular problems, increased blood pressure, liver diseases, elevated strokes, and kidney diseases.

• Cardiovascular problems:

Long-term drinking is not favorable for the heart; it may cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and the weakening and expansion of heart muscles, which may lead to heart failure.

• Liver Diseases:

Long-term alcohol consumption may lead to many liver diseases, such as fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, which can be dangerous for the body.

• Gastrointestinal Issues:

Gastrointestinal issues such as acute or chronic pancreatitis, ulcers, and inflammation of the stomach lining, which may lead to digestive problems, are caused by long-term use of alcohol.

• Kidney Diseases:

Kidney’s function is to filter blood and remove waste from the body; long-term intake of alcohol may affect kidney function, leading to kidney failure.

• Impact on Mental Health

Alcohol addiction and mental health are closely linked to each other. Long-term alcohol consumption may affect the health of the brain and the ability of the brain to perform its functions. Alcohol addicts start consuming alcohol to get a feeling of relaxation from anxiety and depression. This pleasure makes them drink again and again, which may cause many sleep disorders, such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Long-term drinking can affect the brain’s ability to make decisions, solve problems, or plan.

Alcohol consumption may also affect memory and cause difficulty remembering situations. There is a high risk of suicidal thoughts and cooccurring mental health issues during withdrawal.

Diagnosis and assessment

To identify alcohol addiction, one must be focused on both physical and behavioral gestures. Some of the common indicators to detect alcohol addiction are:

• Consumption of undue alcohol to fulfil the desire and become rampant.
• Have strong urges or cravings to drink alcohol.
• Unable to discontinue excessive drinking habit.
• Visible cues emerge in the body when not drinking, like sweating, shaking, nausea, or anxiety.
• Drinking becomes obligatory to feel normal and satisfied.
• Omitting from work, family, or social liability.
• Despite its detrimental consequences for life, drinking alcohol persists.
• Start irritating if alcohol is not handy when needed.
• Abandon all hobbies, friends, and family time to have a drink.

Some of the approaches are used to diagnose alcohol addiction, for which different tools and assessment methods are applied:

• Screening tests are done in which a questionnaire is designed to figure out alcoholism.
• Physical examination is done to reveal chronic signs such as liver disease, neurological issues, and several health conditions
• Blood tests are also performed to find out excessive use of alcohol.
• Stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, or psychiatric conditions are also assessed.
• Family and friends input is crucial, as they provide significant information regarding an individual’s drinking habits.
• Assessing alternatives in an individual’s drinking habits eventually helps in figuring out the recovery period. 

To treat alcoholism, medical and mental health specialists play a significant role.  

• Medical health professionals provide a factual diagnosis, assessment, plan, and treatment according to an individual’s condition.
• These specialists provide expert and suitable treatments or medications to allay the symptoms of alcohol addiction.
• Observe the health of the patient during the whole period to improve overall health and avoid medical issues.
• Mental health professionals provide therapies to alcohol-addicted persons. These therapies are evidence-based and deal with a person’s behavioural and psychological patterns.
• Involve family and friends who give emotional support to an individual in recovery and create a favorable environment.

Treatment Approaches

Treatment for alcohol addiction varied and was adjusted according to the patient’s needs. Here are ways to treat alcohol addiction:

• Detoxification and Withdrawal Management:

Treatment may begin with detoxification to manage withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, nausea, seizures, headache). Medications like benzodiazepines are used to cure withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications. Detoxification is usually done at an inpatient rehabilitation center or hospital.

• Inpatient Rehabilitation:

Inpatient rehabilitation includes long-term structured programs where alcohol addicts live at a stable environment for usually 30-90 days, providing intensive therapy, medical supervision, and support, especially for those with severe addiction and co-occurring disorders.

• Outpatient Rehabilitation:

These structured programs providing high level of care while allowing patients to live at their home by involving several therapy sessions per week.

• Counseling and Therapy:

Counseling and therapy for individuals help you to understand yourself in your recovery. You may get an advantage from family and friends; this support can be an important part during recovery. Counselors use different therapies depends on existing co-occurring conditions they treat. The most common type of therapies for alcohol addiction are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), medicated assisted therapy (MAT), group therapy and 12-step facilitation therapy.

Medications for Alcohol Addiction

To relieve the relieve the withdrawal symptoms of alcoholism, several medications are used:

• Naltrexone clogs the opioid receptor, which elevates the impact of alcohol consumption on the brain. Its usage lessens the urge to consume alcohol and declines the strengthening and pleasurable consequences of alcohol.

Side effects: Use of naltrexone includes: nausea, headache, anxiety, dizziness, fatigue, sedation, liver failure, and acute hepatitis.
Considerations: Monitor liver function tests occasionally, and avoid them if an individual has liver issues.

• Disulfiram, the metabolism of alcohol is distracted by hindering the enzyme involved in its metabolism, producing an unpleasant sensation.                

Side effects: Use of disulfiram includes: flushing, nausea, palpitations, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, metallic taste in the mouth, psychosis, and neuropathy.
Considerations: imprudent cardiovascular disease, psychosis, routine checkup for proper liver functioning.

• Acamprosate, stable the chemistry of the brain, which is afflicted by the perennial use of alcohol.

Side effects: Acamprosate’s adverse effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, headache, flatulence, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and dizziness.
Considerations: cautious for patients with liver disease, works more efficiently if allied with counselling and psychosocial support.

Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapy is a term used to overcome the condition of mental disorder. The main idea is that behaviors can change through therapies.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This type of therapy can help you identify your problem and overcome it by changing your way of thinking and behaving.

• Motivational Enhancement Therapy

This type of approach focuses on individuals’ motivation to feel more motivated for change in recovery process.

• Contingency Management

In contingency management, an individual can see the final rewards so that he can take part in the whole process effectively.

Support Systems

In alcohol addiction, not only the drug addict is involved, but his family is also affected by his addiction. Carrying out loved ones in drug treatment is an effective way to make the focus of rehab besides refraining use but also about rehabilitation of relationships and support systems. A trusted support system plays a significant role in recovery process for alcohol addicts.

• Role of Family and Friends

Family members and friends can provide stable support network by participating in therapy sessions. They can create alcohol free living environment and encourage alcohol free activities. Friends who comprehend the struggles of addiction recovery can offer empathy and practical advice. Open communication with loved ones can strengthen relationships and provide support.

• Support groups and 12-setup programs

Recovery support groups can be crucial source of guidance and inspiration. These groups are non-clinical approach to alcohol addiction and they have many benefits. These groups programmed meetings for people who wanted to overcome their alcohol addiction and establish healthier habits. All of these factors can contribute to your journey with a drinking problem.

Support group with 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous based on 12 steps and 12 traditions that encourage personal growth and reduce drinking and cravings of alcohol.

• Online Communities and Resources

Various online communities offer forum, virtual meetings, and conversation rooms for individual’s support. For instance; in the rooms, sober grid, SMART recovery and recovery dharma are online communities for alcohol addiction recovery that provide complete resources and support networks.

Preventing Relapse

Preventing relapse is a process of developing strategies which are helpful for the patient’s needs. With the help of these strategies, a patient can tackle challenging situations without any kind of drug.

• Recognizing Triggers and Warning Signs

As human emotions play a vital role in our lives. We have to face ups and downs in every aspect of our daily life. Warning sign identification and recognizing triggers are basic steps we can follow to improve the understanding and experience of mental health.

• Developing Copying Strategies

Copying skills can be very helpful to grow further in a positive manner. It helps you tolerate and deal with any kind of situation.

• Long-term Maintenance and follow-up

Maintenance is compulsory for the asset to perform its regular functions effectively.

It is the act of monitoring and evaluating.

Holistic and alternative Treatments

Holistic is considered to be a complete form of treatment which includes mind, spirit, body and emotions. On the other hand, alternative treatments include meditation, hypnosis and exercise.

• Mindfulness and Meditation

The term meditation refers to a variety of practices that focus on body and mind integration and are used to calm the mind and enhance the productivity of an individual.

• Nutritional Therapy

The primary aim of this therapy is to bring some positive change into the life of an individual by changing their nutritional routine and food.

• Exercise and Physical Activity

Practical activity is necessary for the best nourishment of body and mind. It plays a huge role in development of mental and physical senses.

Conclusion

Alcohol addiction can be very harmful for the mind and body of any individual. Any individual affected from it always urges to have one. He does not care about his mental or physical health or even of their family members. Excessive use of alcohol can lead to many harmful diseases that result in suicide and destroy personal relationships. Genetics play a vital role in alcoholism. If the parents are alcohol free there is a huge chance that the children will be alcohol free. On the other hand, in this modern world, facing alcoholism and overcoming it is quite easy. There are several methods and techniques which you can follow to overcome alcoholism.

Recap of Key Points

Firstly, it defines alcoholism, then the importance of understanding, then causes and treatments accordingly. Secondly, the nature of alcoholism, which comprises stages of alcohol addiction and some kinds of symptoms. Thirdly, it evolves around some factors like genetic factors, psychological factors, environmental factors and social influences. The third is effects, which include physical and mental effects. The fifth is diagnosis and assessment, where you can ensure the real problem. The sixth point is treatment approaches, which include therapy and counseling. The seventh one is meditation for alcohol addiction, which helps in the recovery process. Eighth is comprised of a support system, which includes family and friends. The ninth is preventing relapse, which includes recognizing triggers and warning signs. The last one is holistic and alternative treatments. In this process, mindfulness and meditation play an important role, and exercise and physical activity stand beside it.

Encouragement and hope for those struggling

In this modern era where technology takes place in every aspect of life, it is very easy to overcome the addiction of alcohol by following some given try and tested methods.