At the same time, you begin to develop tolerance, so you have to drink more and more often to achieve the same results. Therefore, quitting alcohol is difficult or even impossible on your own because your brain has adapted to need alcohol to function. Without treatment, someone with alcoholism is likely to experience negative consequences such as health problems, relationship issues, and difficulty functioning at work or school.

The Cycle of Alcoholism

Embracing these practices can lead to a more centered and balanced lifestyle, which is crucial for maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse. While not a substitute for traditional treatment methods, they provide valuable support and can be integrated into a comprehensive recovery plan. Recognizing this transition is crucial, as it represents a critical window for intervention before the condition progresses to the chronic phase of addiction. Without addressing the underlying issues, the individual may find themselves trapped in the relentless progression of alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease that changes brain pathways involved in reward, stress, and self‑control. Like other chronic illnesses, it has risk factors, predictable complications, and proven treatments.

• If you or a loved one are struggling with an alcohol use disorder, contact Guardian Recovery today to speak with an experienced Treatment Advisor.
• At this point, their reward system has become pathological, or, in other words, diseased.
• Matt Senecal’s journey, as featured in Journey Magazine, resonates with a familiar refrain heard in many 12-step meetings.
• A chronic disease is a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured.

Professional Treatment for Alcoholism

Chronic heavy alcohol use is also linked to digestive problems, diabetes, osteoporosis, immune system issues, and greater susceptibility to pneumonia or tuberculosis. It can also lead to permanent brain damage, resulting in dementia, memory loss, and impaired motor functioning. Alcohol is a known carcinogen, and long-term use increases the risk of several types of cancer, like head and neck, esophageal, liver, colorectal, and breast cancers. Chronic alcohol use is a major cause of heart disease, like high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), and even heart failure. The heart has to work harder to pump oxygenated blood through the body, which can lead to long-term damage.

A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Trauma-Informed Care

Genetics plays a big role in AUD, making up around 60% of the risk. If someone has family members with alcohol use disorder, they’re more likely to develop it too. Recognizing the genetic aspect of AUD is vital for spotting those at risk and providing appropriate support or treatment.

When we call addiction a disease, we are saying that it is a health condition that affects the structure and function of the body, in this case, the brain. Like other diseases, addiction has identifiable symptoms, predictable patterns, and effective treatments. The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as a chronic brain marijuana addiction disease that involves the reward, motivation, and memory circuits.

• Medically, alcoholism shares characteristics with other chronic diseases, such as long-term progression, the necessity for ongoing management, and a mix of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental risk factors.
• Over time, the triggering of positive neurotransmitters becomes a learned behavior, so you start to crave more alcohol.
• Instead of focusing solely on willpower or punishment, treatment becomes about healing the brain and supporting long-term recovery.
• For individuals grappling with alcoholism, a wealth of resources and support systems are available to aid in the journey to recovery.

Addiction Education for Beginners: Understanding the Stigmas

• Two years later, the court agreed to hear a case involving a man who argued he was afflicted with chronic alcoholism and that to punish him for his conduct would be cruel and unusual.
• This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
• Severity is based on the number of criteria a person meets based on their symptoms—mild (two to three criteria), moderate (four to five criteria), or severe (six or more criteria).
• More research is needed to determine exactly why this is, but it is thought that certain genes are passed down through generations which can make you more susceptible to developing an addiction.
• You’ll learn why alcoholism is considered a progressive disease—and more importantly, how to stop its progression in your life.

Stay current on the latest on the issues impacting physicians, patients and the health care environment with the AMA’s Advocacy Update Newsletter. As a trusted Georgia addiction treatment center, we are dedicated to serving our clients through various alcohol and drug addiction programs. We have a firm belief that it is possible for YOU to achieve and sustain long-term recovery. Alcoholism is a disease because it involves measurable changes in brain structure and function. Treatment aims to help the brain heal, teach new coping skills, and restore balance in daily life. People often use “alcoholism” and “alcohol use disorder” as if they mean the same thing.

Personalize Your Experience

Another important factor in the disease model is the concept of tolerance and withdrawal. As people continue to drink, their bodies adapt by requiring more alcohol to achieve the same effect. When alcohol consumption is reduced or stopped, withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, and even seizures can occur. These symptoms are physiological responses to a lack of alcohol, further supporting the idea that AUD is a disease. Drinking heavily over a long period can lead to chronic diseases and serious medical issues that significantly reduce both quality of life and life expectancy.

The high court looked to the AMA most recently in a 2016 case, Birchfield v. North Dakota, challenging the state’s law instituting blood alcohol breath tests. With a rise in conflicting information about vaccines, the AMA encourages you to talk to your doctor to help make informed decisions about your family’s health. Drinking more than planned, blackouts, hiding use, strong cravings, and failed attempts to cut down are early warnings.