Why Is My Loved One an Alcoholic?
Alcoholism is a terrible and confusing disease. It is especially hard on loved ones who watch the alcohol user slip into a destructive cycle. Many questions may emerge about the hows and whys of addiction, and none will have easy answers. Understanding the nature of the disease, however, may help you to make the most positive impact and beneficial decisions possible.
How Alcoholism Happens
There are many paths to alcoholism. Some people are born with a biological predisposition to the disease. Chemical imbalances in the brain that cause conditions like depression and anxiety disorders may be unintentionally and unconsciously self-medicated with alcohol. The disease may develop over time, as a person decides to drink regularly and to excess.
Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant. In small amounts it has a relaxing effect. When consumed in excess, it gives the drinker a euphoric high that can block any feelings of anxiety, stress or even chronic pain. Excessive drinking (defined as consuming more than two drinks per day) can change the neurochemical pathways in the brain, causing a deep psychological craving for the “buzz” that drinking provides. Binge drinking greatly speeds up the addiction process. Underage drinkers are also at heightened risk for alcoholism, as teenaged brains have not fully developed and are more vulnerable to the types of alterations alcohol can produce. Underage drinking also can lead to permanent brain damage.
Alcoholism often progresses in the following pattern:
- First time drinking produces pleasurable feelings
- The “pleasure center” of the brain, also responsible for impulse control, begins to crave the high achieved through excessive drinking
- A tolerance to alcohol is developed, and the drinker will need larger quantities of alcohol to feel the desired effects
- Increased frequency or intensity of alcohol consumption causes depletion of naturally occurring “feel-good” chemicals in the brain, making the user dependent on alcohol to function
- The individual repeatedly scratches the “itch” in the brain and body for alcohol and thus establishes and reinforces an alcohol dependency disorder or alcoholism
Why Would Someone Become an Alcoholic?
Though most people begin consuming alcohol by choice, very few choose to become addicted to it. Some people will develop a drinking problem after their first experience, while others take much longer. In most cases it is regular consumption that leads to dependence and addiction. There are several reasons a person may choose to consume alcohol in excess including the following:
- Cultural influences (friends, social environment, media culture)
- Family history of alcohol abuse
- Easy access to alcohol
- Stressful home or school environment
- Poor coping skills modeled by others
- Self-medication of psychological disorders
- Experimentation
How Hard Is It to Get Clean from Alcohol?
Quitting drinking or getting clean can be extremely difficult or even impossible to accomplish without help. Strong physical and psychological addictions feed each other and undermine recovery. With the proper help and support, long-term recovery is possible. The most effective path to sobriety begins with medically supervised detox services followed by intensive holistic psychological rehab. This rehab should include diagnosis of any co-occurring or underlying psychological conditions that may delay recovery.
It is also important for the loved ones of alcoholics to learn about the disease, identify any codependent behaviors or thought patterns and create healthy boundaries for the recovering alcoholic. This happens through specialized counseling and group programs like Al Anon. When loved ones receive this kind of specialized counseling and training, they are the most well-prepared to help their loved one get clean and stay clean.
Help a Loved One End Alcohol Addiction
If you have questions or concerns about your or a loved one’s use of alcohol, call our toll-free helpline today. Our specially trained counselors can answers your questions, listen to your concerns and help you find the best treatment possible. We are ready to help 24 hours a day, so please don’t hesitate to call now and get the recovery support you need.
