Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Despite the potential consequences, alcoholics may believe that they don’t have a problem, or can control their drinking. On the other hand, some are well aware of their problems, but feel as if they cannot stop regardless of how much they want to. Either way, alcohol treatment at a rehab is one of the best options to address the problem and recover from the addiction.
Why Is Alcohol Addictive?
As an alcohol treatment centre in Thailand, one of the common questions our therapists are asked by both clients and their families is “Why is alcohol so addictive?” Many people don’t understand how a substance can be so devastating when, at the same time, so socially acceptable. The following may help you to understand why alcohol is addiction, how societal expectations affect alcoholism, and why professional alcohol treatment is, typically, necessary for recovery.
The Social Influences of Alcoholism
The average gathering will involve alcoholic beverages of so kind. Holiday get togethers, weddings, birthday celebrations, anniversaries, and other events often include wine, beer, champagne, or liquor. Even a dinner may consist of a glass of wine, if not a whole bottle. This way of thinking is socially acceptable – even expected.
Over time, because of the consistent push to “drink”, many people believe a social occasion must include alcohol. The cues to drink can be overwhelming; thus resulting in excess drinking.
In addition to alcohol being an expected part of social occasions, alcohol also carries attributes that serve other purposes. For example, alcohol can induce a sense of relaxation for those who suffer from social anxiety. It might induce a feeling of happiness; of which might benefit a person who is stressed or depressed, yet expected to put on their best smile. A report in Addictive Behaviour suggests that alcohol can numb the mind in a way that people forget about their concerns, stresses, and usual inhibitions. This is known as alcohol myopia, or a state that temporarily relieves a person of anxiety. People who are more prone to using alcohol as a stress reliever or to reduce anxiety in order to function at social gatherings are more vulnerable to developing an addiction to alcohol.
Chemical Influences In the Brain and Body
Apart from the behavioural changes that alcohol can cause, consuming it on a regular basis can cause chemical changes in the body. These internal changes can become addicted. For example, alcohol increases endorphins in the body. Endorphins are akin to a natural painkiller and associated with both pleasure and reward. It is thought by researchers that endorphins can accumulate within areas of the brain that are associated with addictive behaviours.
In a nutshell, alcohol can manipulate the brain; thus resulting in a false sense of happiness in the user. As alcohol increases the feelings of pleasure, at the same time, it is turning off areas of the brain that handle decision making and impulse control. This overpowering ability can actually cause more drinking.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine discussed how participants who consume higher amounts of alcohol tend to have higher spikes in endorphins compared to those who do not drink often. The research led to the researchers believed that alcohol actually promotes further drinking, in addition to, strange behaviours. Although high alcohol consumption carries significant dangers, there are attributes that can assist people in stopping from overusing. This includes:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lack of muscle control
- Sedation
- Decrease in heart rate
- Slowed breathing
If people can prevent themselves from experiencing the above effects, it is certainly possible that they will struggle to stop themselves from drinking. Sadly, this could result in devastating consequences, including death.
Heavy Drinkers and Their Response to Alcohol
In people who consume alcohol on a regular basis, or because they have a dependency or addiction, they may become stuck in a cycle of use. For instance, when the brain releases endorphins, there may be an increase in the desire to drink. The more a person drinks, the more endorphins are released; thus, the happier they may feel (regardless of how temporary this happiness might be). With time, this cycle can create cravings for alcohol, and when the cravings lead to binge drinking or alcohol abuse, they can turn into an addiction.
That said, the release of endorphins are not the only issue. Dopamine, a chemical responsible for a person’s mood and feelings of pleasure is also released when alcohol is consumed. So, when a person drinks, they feel good; thus, they want to drink more. This alone can make drinking alcohol attractive to a broad range of people, including those who have a good job, a family, or are in school.
Getting Help for an Addiction at an Alcohol Treatment Centre
As you might know better understand, alcohol addiction can be caused by many different factors; such as trauma, PTSD, depression, grief, and so forth. However, the way in which society views alcohol, as well as, the way the brain and body process it, can play a role in the reason a person develops an addiction to alcohol. Due to the many different circumstances, alcohol addiction treatment should involve some degree in inpatient rehabilitation.
If you or someone you know is addicted to alcohol, we, at Siam Rehab, would like to apply our knowledge, guidance, and skills to help you feel better and overcome the addiction to alcohol. As a leading alcohol rehab in Thailand, we apply the best scientific approach, alongside complementary medicine, to create innovative treatment programmes that address the mind and body. To learn more about our alcohol rehab, call Siam Rehab today.
Sources:
http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/amp/45/8/921/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/13/alcohol-addictive-endorphins-_n_1202406.html
