It is estimated that about three-quarters of the population drink alcohol. Of this number, about 6 million Canadians will find that their alcohol consumption leads to serious problems involving their health, work, finances, and relationships with family and friends. When a person uses alcohol despite apparent harm to their health and well-being, it is called alcohol use disorder or alcoholism.
In general, men are slightly more likely than women to develop an alcohol use disorder (13% of men versus 9% of women). Men also make up more than three -quarters of all deaths from excessive drinking.
Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, is a medical condition. While the exact cause of alcoholism is unknown, research has shown increasing evidence that susceptibility to it may be inherited and the risk of developing this medical condition rises significantly in families with relatives (in particular, parents and siblings) who are dependent on alcohol.
Additional risk factors include having a psychiatric condition such as schizophrenia, depression, or an anxiety disorder. Poverty, social isolation, troubled upbringing, and shyness may also be risk factors.
In addition, how one’s body processes alcohol can affect the risk of developing a dependence on alcohol. Research has shown that people who need comparatively more alcohol to achieve an effect are more likely to become alcohol dependent.
All drugs affect a "reward mechanism" in the brain. If a person feels good each time they use a drug, it tends to make them want to use the drug again. This common feature could explain why people abuse drugs, including alcohol. As with most drugs, though, if you use them regularly, your body tends to require increasing amounts of the substance to achieve the same effect. This is called tolerance, and it may be the final factor that contributes to the development of drug or alcohol dependence.
A few people suffer serious physical problems when they try to quit alcohol. Hallucinations and delirium tremens, which most people regard as symptoms of intoxication, are in fact caused by sudden sobriety. Fear, confusion, fever, and high heart rate are just some of the symptoms seen in those addicted to alcohol who have a severe physical reaction when the drug is no longer present in their system. Hospital care and antianxiety medication can help ease the physical effects during this stage of withdrawal.
For most people who quit, the greatest danger is a return to alcohol consumption (relapse).
Getting a loved one to seek help for alcohol dependence can be difficult, since denial of the problem is common and is related to the cognitive changes associated with the illness. You may need to raise the subject more than once, and you may need to involve friends and family members in the discussion to show the extent of your concerns. It’s best to approach the subject in a calm way, without accusations and with a focus on care and support for the person involved. Rather than speaking in a generalized way, point to specific behaviours and events that have caused the concern.
Be aware that a variety of effective interventions exist to treat alcoholism. Some people will be able to change their rate of alcohol consumption, or quit altogether, simply by having had the devastating effects of their behaviour pointed out to zthem by someone they trust. Unfortunately, interventions by family and friends are sufficient in only a minority of cases.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can provide a beneficial option. Known for its 12-step program, this international organization can provide significant value for many people through self-help and peer support. For more information, look for AA online.
Alternatively, many communities have access to various publicly supported alcohol dependence programs, and many private programs exist as well. Talk to your health care professional to find out what types of services are available.
Several medications may also help when used in combination with other forms of treatment. These medications work in different ways. Some suppress the urge to drink (e.g., naltrexone*), some cause uncomfortable physical reactions if alcohol is consumed (e.g., disulfiram), and some ease the physical symptoms of the withdrawal process (e.g., diazepam, clonidine).
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Alcoholism
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