Why is Alcoholism Considered a Chronic Disease? Understanding the Science Behind It
It can damage vital organs such as the why is alcoholism considered a chronic disease liver and brain, disrupt the body’s nutrient balance, and weaken the immune system, making it more vulnerable to diseases. Consistent heavy drinking can cause irreversible damage, resulting in severe conditions such as liver disease or alcohol-related dementia. The first step in treatment is often detoxification, which involves stopping drinking and managing withdrawal symptoms. After detox, behavioral therapies and medications are used to help people maintain sobriety.
- In conclusion, alcoholism is a chronic disease that requires ongoing management and treatment.
- What’s more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use leads to over 95,000 deaths in the U.S. every year.
- A qualified treatment provider can assist you in overcoming your addiction and maintaining your sobriety over the long term.
- Likewise, alcohol addiction is a disease that can sometimes be avoided through prevention strategies and educational initiatives.
- A part of the Banyan team since 2016, Alyssa brings over 5 years of experience in the addiction treatment field.
The Dangers of Delayed Intervention
It is characterized by compulsive alcohol consumption despite negative consequences and can lead to physical, mental, social, and economic problems. Today, alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and alcohol addiction are classified in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD). The DSM-5 is published by the American Psychiatric Association as a reference manual for professional diagnosis of mental disorders, including alcohol and substance use disorders. The manual offers specific criteria to determine if the disorder is at a mild, moderate, or severe stage. Alcoholism is a chronic disease that requires a multifaceted approach to treatment.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Some people may use alcohol as a way to cope with the symptoms of a physical or mental health problem. Studies have found a link between family members with addiction, suggesting that genetics may play a role in the development of alcohol use disorder. This theory views alcohol addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease. Before discussing the reasons why alcoholism is considered a chronic disease, it’s important to understand exactly what a chronic disease is.
- When so many things in life become reminders of drinking, it becomes more and more difficult for people to not think about drinking.
- Physical and psychological dependencies are deeply entrenched, and the person may experience significant health, social, and legal problems as a result of their drinking.
- Let’s break the stigma surrounding alcoholism and promote understanding and support for those suffering from this chronic disease.
- If your blood alcohol concentration is too high, it could cause severe consequences.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Alcoholism
As with other chronic medical conditions, long-term care therefore is more and more becoming an integral component of treatment for AOD use disorders. In fact, with the move away from inpatient therapy to outpatient therapy for the initial phase of treatment, the lines between initial care and aftercare what is alcoholism (continuing care) are increasingly blurring. Patients in the integrated treatment exhibited greater participation in both medical and addiction treatment as well as better alcohol use outcomes.
What is the outlook for people who have alcohol use disorder?
The scans have also shown differences in electrical activity in the brains of people dependent on alcohol and people going through alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Alcoholism is considered a brain disease because it affects the way the brain operates, causing symptoms such as compulsive behavior and intense cravings. It disrupts a person’s ability to think critically, make rational decisions and function normally. It can lead to increased healthcare costs, lost productivity, and increased crime rates. It also contributes to a range of social problems, such as domestic violence, child abuse, and drunk driving accidents.
- In short, dependency is only considered a disease when it is not socially approved.
- When the drinkers were still relatively healthy, they could control their impulse to drink because the judgment and decision-making circuits of their prefrontal cortex would balance out those impulses.
- With continued use of alcohol or drugs, nerve cells in the basal ganglia «scale back» their sensitivity to dopamine, reducing alcohol’s ability to produce the same «high» it once produced.
- One of the difficulties in recognizing alcoholism as a disease is it doesn’t quite seem like one.
Thus, both of these studies indicate that continuing care involving extended intensive monitoring can generate positive outcomes, at least in highly motivated patients. The progression of alcoholism is often marked by a bio-psycho-social spiral of decline, where each aspect of a person’s life feeds into and exacerbates the other. Biologically, the body adapts to the presence of alcohol, leading to increased tolerance and the need for more alcohol to achieve the same effects. Psychologically, the individual may experience heightened anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues as a result of chronic alcohol use.
