It can have a profound impact on personal and social life, leading to a range of physical, emotional, and social problems. Environmental factors, such as stress, trauma, and peer pressure, can also contribute to the development of alcoholism. Personal characteristics, such as impulsivity and low self-esteem, can also increase the risk of developing AUD. One of the key reasons why alcoholism is considered a chronic disease is that it alters the brain’s chemistry and structure. Alcohol affects the neurotransmitters that control our emotions, thoughts, and behavior, leading to changes in mood, cognition, and marijuana addiction decision-making. Rehabilitation programs offer structured environments for individuals with severe alcohol dependency or those needing intensive support.

Impact on your safety

Future studies should focus on elucidating neural mechanisms underlying sensitization of symptoms that contribute to a negative emotional state resulting from repeated withdrawal experience. Such studies will undoubtedly reveal important insights that spark development of new and more effective treatment strategies for relapse prevention as well as aid people in controlling alcohol consumption that too often spirals out of control to excessive levels. First, it has clear and identifiable causes, including both genetic and environmental factors. For instance, several studies have revealed that a person’s family history, as well as their mental health, stress levels, and social milieu, affect their chance of developing alcoholism. Additionally, alcohol use disorder has a range of symptoms that can impact a person’s physical and psychological health and daily functioning.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

If you have a loved one dealing with alcoholism, you are not alone; there is hope for a brighter future. Remember that they deserve a happy life and that achieving long-term recovery is within reach. In this exploration, you’ll decode scientific language, dispel common myths, and learn how to fight alcohol dependence.

Why Is Alcohol Use Disorder A Chronic Disease?

The term alcohol use disorder is preferred today since the 2013 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) combined the two former categorizations of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence into a single diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. Attending a specialised inpatient rehab clinic for alcohol addiction is the most effective way to recover, as you will benefit from a personalised treatment plan including counselling, medication and a full detox. It can be dangerous to attempt to stop drinking without medical support, as why is alcoholism considered a chronic disease some alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be deadly. Similarly, someone with a physical health condition that makes it more difficult to leave the house may begin drinking alcohol to stave off boredom.

• The analysis indicated very favorable long-term (i.e., 5 years) outcomes for physicians in these programs.
• It includes developing a tolerance, experiencing withdrawal symptoms and being unable to stop drinking alcohol even when you want to.
• For example, animal studies have indicated that elevation of corticosteroid hormone levels may enhance the propensity to drink through an interaction with the brain’s main reward circuitry (i.e., mesocorticolimbic dopamine system) (Fahlke et al. 1996; Piazza and Le Moal 1997).

• By addressing biological, psychological, and social factors, individuals in alcohol recovery can better manage their condition and work towards long-term sobriety.
• “The AMA endorses the proposition that drug dependencies, including alcoholism, are diseases and that their treatment is a legitimate part of medical practice.”
• Care is integrated with patients’ other health care to improve treatment access, reduce costs, and promote better physical and mental health outcomes.
• By recognizing alcoholism as a chronic disease, individuals in alcohol recovery can adopt a comprehensive approach that includes long-term management, ongoing support, and strategies for preventing relapse.
• People who drink too much alcohol are at risk of developing a host of health conditions and disorders including certain types of cancer, liver disease, and heart disease.
• Therefore, researchers and clinicians have begun to develop additional programs to increase the number of options available to AOD-abusing patients and their health care providers.

By understanding alcoholism as a chronic disease, individuals can approach it from a long-term perspective, focusing on sustained recovery and management rather than seeking a quick fix. A chronic disease is defined as a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured. It is a =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ condition that persists over time and requires ongoing management and treatment to prevent complications and maintain quality of life. Alcohol Use Disorder also involves some characteristics common to addiction, but not typically found with most other chronic diseases. Alcohol or drug addictions affect the pleasure, reward, and motivation systems of the brain. Prolonged use of the addictive substance alters brain chemistry, leading to physical, emotional, mental, and social dysfunction.

• 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.
• Alcoholism lacks a cure, just like other chronic disorders like diabetes and heart disease.
• If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, it is important to seek professional help to manage the condition and prevent relapse.
• Rosewood Recovery does not discrimate against any person because of the race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, handicap or disability or the use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap.
• Treatment includes detoxification, behavioral therapies, medications, and support groups.