Around 400 million people around the world suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). This big number has caused many people to question the nature of alcohol misuse and ask the question – is alcoholism a disease or a choice?
However, we are here to say that alcoholism is a disease and not a choice.
People struggling with AUD suffer from a chronic, relapsing disease that requires professional treatment. It’s not something that people can “get over” since the disease has lasting effects on the body and brain.
The Disease Model of Alcoholism
When we view alcoholism in the disease model, we get to know more about how the disease affects the body and brain.
The disease model views alcohol misuse as a long-term condition that requires ongoing management. It’s the same as other conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Those who have it may experience cycles of remission and relapse and will need continued support and treatment to maintain sobriety.
In addition, there’s a genetic component to alcoholism. While we can’t entirely blame alcohol misuse on genetics, some people are born with an increased risk of AUD. For instance, metabolism and neurotransmitter function can be influenced by genetics. Differences in these functions can make some people more susceptible to alcohol addiction.
Is Alcoholism a Mental Health Disorder?
Yes, alcoholism is a mental health disorder. In addition to being classified as a disease, the DSM-5-TR classifies the condition as a mental health disorder. This means that there’s a complex interaction between psychological, biological, and social factors when it comes to addiction.
When people drink, alcohol causes significant brain changes that can lead to compulsive drinking and impaired decision-making. It becomes a mental health issue characterised by cravings, loss of control, and continued use despite negative consequences.
Alcoholism and Co-Occurring Disorders
While alcohol use disorder is classified as a mental health condition, it typically doesn’t exist on its own. Many people with this disease experience co-occurring mental health disorders.
Unfortunately, co-occurring disorders can make suffering from either alcoholism or mental health struggles more challenging. It also makes the diagnosis more complex since the symptoms of one condition can mimic or mask the other.
As such, they need a specialised treatment called Dual Diagnosis to address both disorders.
Can Mental Illness Contribute to Alcohol Dependence?
Many people with mental illnesses turn to alcohol as a way to cope with the negative emotions they experience. Although alcohol can relieve negative emotions for a little bit, it shouldn’t be used as a long-term solution. Drinking alcohol to “get over” mental illnesses can even do more harm than good.
Alcohol has a lot of negative effects on the brain and body. Repeatedly drinking alcohol can cause tolerance, where a person will need to drink more alcohol to achieve the same impact. Eventually, when a person drinks more, the brain and body will start to rely on alcohol to function correctly (dependence).
Additionally, some mental illnesses may also experience addictive tendencies that affect how they use alcohol. When this is the case, it can be difficult for people to control their drinking. Proper treatment is needed to manage the symptoms of both diseases.
Arguments Against Alcohol Misuse as a Disease
A few would say that alcoholism isn’t a disease and have arguments to back them up. This section will discuss these arguments and see why they might be harmful assumptions about the disease.
Alcoholism as a Moral Failing or a Lack of Willpower
Alcoholism is often seen as a moral failing or a lack of willpower. Some may think that alcoholics can just quit if they want to, but that’s far from the truth.
Many people are willing to receive alcoholism treatment, but the pain of going through withdrawal is what stops them. Withdrawal can be challenging to overcome, even with the help of professionals. The constant struggle of dealing with how the brain and body react to withdrawal becomes like a never-ending battle for those struggling with AUD.
Additionally, whether we like to admit it or not, there is still a stigma associated with seeking help for the disease. Since many people still believe that AUD is a moral failing, many people don’t want to acknowledge that they’re struggling with the disease. As such, it’s not easy for people to admit they need help.
Environment and Lifestyle as Potential Causes
Some people will argue that a person will never be an alcoholic if they don’t drink at all. While this is true, it’s not a perfect argument because triggers are everywhere in everyday life. And once a person starts drinking, alcoholism becomes less of a choice because of how the substance affects the brain.
Think about how many times you were invited to an event that involved drinking alcohol. These environments are not easy to avoid; sometimes, they’re even necessary commitments. We can’t just tell people with AUD to avoid these scenarios. The best way to not give in to harmful drinking behaviours again is to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Other Misconceptions About Addiction
Here are some other misconceptions about addiction and why they might be harmful ideas:
- It’s easy to point out someone with addiction: Addiction may have some physical symptoms, but they aren’t always evident. Many people with addiction are good at hiding their symptoms, with some even being functional alcoholics. Functional alcoholics are still able to attend to their responsibilities despite struggling with them.
- A person will be addicted forever: While it’s true that addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, there are still ways to overcome it. Proper long-term management and risk relapse strategies can help prevent people with addiction from using it.
- People with addiction don’t care about others: Most of the time, people are aware of how their addiction is affecting others and want to get better. However, quitting addiction is not an easy feat due to withdrawal symptoms and other triggers.
- Rehab doesn’t work: Rehab is a proven method for treating different types of addiction. Although relapse rates are high (hence the misconception that it doesn’t work), it’s still an effective way to address the disease.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a disease characterised by the inability to stop drinking despite negative consequences. People with this disorder have a difficult time quitting drinking since the substance has permanently altered their brains.
Even if a person wants to quit drinking, they have a difficult time doing so because they experience different withdrawal symptoms. As such, people struggling with alcoholism need professional treatment to manage the disease.
Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
Here are some symptoms that indicate that someone is suffering from AUD:
- Constantly drinking more than the recommended amount or more than they intended to.
- Neglecting responsibilities, such as school or work, in order to continue drinking.
- Getting into financial problems to keep consuming alcohol.
- Engaging in harmful behaviours, such as drunk driving or unprotected sex, when drinking.
- Intense cravings for alcohol when they’re not able to drink.
- Experiencing other withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop drinking.
- Failing to quit drinking despite multiple attempts.
Once you or a loved one starts to show some of these symptoms, it’s time to consider alcohol addiction treatment. Don’t wait until the symptoms get worse. The earlier someone gets addiction treatment, the better their chances of recovery.
What Is Unhealthy Drinking?
Unhealthy drinking is when a person drinks above the recommended alcohol intake. According to the NHS, it’s not recommended to drink more than 14 units of alcohol regularly per week. A person who engages in excessive drinking isn’t necessarily addicted or dependent on alcohol, but it’s a habit that can eventually cause addiction.
Unhealthy drinking can also cause long-term effects, such as an increased risk of liver or heart disease. Engaging in this amount of alcohol use for a long time will also cause cognitive impairments, which affect decision-making and memory.
What Increases the Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder?
Many factors can increase the risk of alcohol misuse, such as:
- Genetics: Those with a family history of alcohol have a higher risk of developing alcohol misuse issues. It’s not the sole factor in developing AUD, but it does have an effect.
- Peer pressure: Many people start drinking because their friends influenced them to do so or because they’ve found themselves in situations where it’s difficult to say no to drinking.
- Environmental factors: Certain memories or places can be associated with drinking. People who often find themselves thinking about these memories or going to these places have a higher risk of developing AUD.
- Cultural influences: In some cultures, drinking is often seen as a way to celebrate. Whether it’s weddings, graduations, or birthdays, it can be hard to disassociate drinking from these events.
- Unhealthy habits: Some people have associated certain times of the day with drinking. They may struggle to go about the rest of their day without engaging in this habit.
- Co-occurring disorders: As mentioned earlier, co-occurring mental health conditions may increase the likelihood of substance use. This is because people struggling with these disorders often turn to substances to escape negative emotions.
Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder at Liberty Home Clinic
Substance misuse issues, such as alcohol addiction, require comprehensive treatment to manage symptoms and prevent relapse successfully. Here at Liberty Home Clinic, our professionals are committed to providing addiction treatment that helps.
We help clients overcome alcohol addiction through evidence-based treatments and holistic approaches. Our team is here to guide everyone seeking treatment to a substance-free life.
