Is Alcoholism A Disease And Can It Be Cured?

Yet the condition can be effectively managed by teaching a person strategies that can help them cope with stress and environmental factors that contribute to their alcohol abuse. A person’s age, genetic predisposition to addiction, health status, and drinking history all have a role to play regarding the severity of the brain damage caused by alcohol. So does the amount of time that has passed since they drank alcohol.

While some alcoholics progress through the first five stages of recovery in a linear fashion, many do not. It’s more common for people to move back and forth through the stages of change as they tackle addiction. Theoretically, at this stage the addiction is conquered completely. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/why-does-alcohol-cause-bruising/ The alcoholic is sober and has no cravings for alcohol, and there is no threat of relapse. After completing a program at a treatment center, recovering alcoholics move into the maintenance stage, which generally lasts from six months to several years or longer.

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When someone starts to consider whether they have an alcohol problem, they often start looking at self-help resources like books, podcasts, mobile apps, and websites for information about alcohol and recovery. It’s important to note that some self-help resources are more evidence-based and effective than others, so be mindful of source credibility. That definition does not require full abstinence from alcohol and also does not view abstinence itself as full recovery. You nor your loved one are under any obligation to commit to an Ark Behavioral Health treatment program when calling our helpline. Then, when they notice the depressant properties that the substance has on the body, such as deep relaxation and euphoria, they begin to drink more often.

Inpatient rehab provides a safe place for people to focus on their recovery and develop life skills to support sobriety after completing the program. If your loved one is suffering from alcoholism, try to exercise patience while also making time to practice your own self-care. Like any chronic disease, recovering from alcoholism can take time and may not always be a smooth road.

Why AUD is a mental health condition

Although we can rebalance the brain’s neurotransmitters over time, the neural pathways that were created while engaging in addictive behavior (or, in this case, alcohol abuse) will always be there. Like with all drugs, long-term alcohol abuse creates changes in the brain’s biochemistry. If you or a loved one is seeking help for an addiction to alcohol, help is available.

• The more you drink, especially in a short period of time, the greater your risk of alcohol poisoning.
• This largely changed after medical research was done on the impact that alcohol has on the brain.
• Your peers can offer understanding and advice and help keep you accountable.
• Psychologists can also diagnose and treat these “co-occurring” psychological conditions.
• Long-term, heavy alcohol abusers may do best by detoxing under medical supervision.

Self-help support groups can decrease the sense of shame and isolation that can lead to relapse. Withdrawal from different categories of drugs — such as depressants, stimulants or opioids — produces different side effects and requires different approaches. Detox may https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/can-alcoholism-be-cured/ involve gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting other substances, such as methadone, buprenorphine, or a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Psychotherapies can help a person learn to cope with everyday stress without alcohol.

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For example, if a set of parents tends to have a few beers every time they have a bad day, their children are more likely to develop this habit because it was taught to them over time. Other symptoms take longer to appear, like long-term memory loss, slowed reaction times, and confusion. In the action stage, people have chosen an approach to sobriety and they’re executing it. While it may be tempting to rush into recovery at this point, experts actually caution against this sort of sudden action. In their book “Changing for Good,” psychologists James Prochaska, John Norcross and Carlo DiClemente warn that those who “cut short the preparation stage” are more likely to fail. Others in the precontemplation stage may feel hopeless and helpless about their situation or overwhelmed by the energy required to make a change.

The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one. This helpline is answered by Ark Behavioral Health, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in Massachusetts and Ohio. After the inpatient portion of the treatment process is over, the outpatient program can begin. When it is finished, it is highly recommended that addicted individuals stay connected to an aftercare program.

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It’s never too early to see a primary care physician or another healthcare provider about your relationship to alcohol. If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, it’s time to seek help. Stopping drug use is just one part of a long and complex recovery process. When people enter treatment, addiction has often caused serious consequences in their lives, possibly disrupting their health and how they function in their family lives, at work, and in the community. Different types of medications may be useful at different stages of treatment to help a patient stop abusing drugs, stay in treatment, and avoid relapse. Medications are also available to help treat addiction to alcohol and nicotine.