Alcohol addiction is a chronic condition where a person continues to drink even though it causes problems in their life. They often neglect work, family or financial responsibilities as a result.

If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, there is help available. Treatment is supervised by medical specialists at a rehab facility and can help you achieve long-term recovery.

Symptoms

Alcohol is a mind-altering substance that can affect your mood, thoughts and behavior. It also can cause health problems such as a bad hangover and even alcohol-related accidents.

Drinking too much can lead to an alcohol addiction, which is characterized by tolerance (the need to drink more to get the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop drinking. These can include nausea, sweating, tremors, hallucinations and convulsions.

Behavioral signs of alcohol abuse can be easy to spot and may include lying about the amount of alcohol you are drinking, binge-drinking or a pattern of using alcohol in secret. An individual who has an alcohol use disorder may also keep a large supply of alcohol in their home or at work.

A person with an alcohol addiction should seek professional help as soon as possible. Alcohol can be life-threatening when used in excess, and if it is not treated, it can cause serious physical, mental and emotional issues.

Causes

Alcohol addiction is a complex condition with many different causes. It’s caused by a combination of genetic, physiological, psychological and social factors.

People with mental health problems like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder are more likely to develop an alcohol problem. Often, they use alcohol to self-medicate these issues, or to escape from painful feelings.

Drinking can help ease pain and stress, but if it becomes an everyday habit, it’s time to seek treatment.

There are many warning signs that someone is developing a drinking problem. These include irritability, feeling cranky or needing to drink more and more to get the same effect. They may also be experiencing a compulsion to drink outside of social settings.

Treatment

Psychological therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy, can help people who have alcohol use disorder identify feelings and situations that trigger drinking and change their thoughts. These treatments can also help drinkers learn new coping skills and social support systems.

Treatment can be done one-on-one with a therapist, in small groups or in a residential treatment center. Often, it involves the use of goal setting, behavior change techniques and self-help manuals.

Many people who have a problem with alcohol also have other mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. It is important to treat these other conditions as well so that a person's overall health is improved.

Inpatient and outpatient programs can help you overcome your alcohol addiction. They can include detox, withdrawal management and other medical and therapeutic services. They can also teach you coping skills, provide family support and help you get back to normal life.

Prevention

Alcohol misuse, abuse and addiction are linked to a wide range of health problems including physical and mental harm, withdrawal symptoms and dysfunctional relationships. It also costs Americans hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

The prevention of alcohol use disorder requires consideration of a person's developmental history, risk factors and protective factors. It also involves examining personal and social determinants, such as family, neighborhood and community.

Identifying alcohol-related risks in children and youth is an important task for a variety of public health agencies, including schools, communities and families. Efforts to reduce drinking among youth can also be applied at the workplace, where employers may take responsibility for identifying employees who are likely to engage in problematic alcohol use.

The evidence of the effectiveness of alcohol use prevention programs is mixed. The latest evidence is based on a systematic review and critical analysis of the empirical research in school, community, family and web-based fields of action.