What Causes Alcoholism? If You Need Help, Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centres in Melbourne Are There for You
Alcoholism is a chronic disease characterised by a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. This disorder is debilitating and affects the mind and body alike. Signs that someone could benefit from alcohol addiction treatment include tremors the morning after drinking, memory lapses caused by blackouts while drinking, increasing tolerance to alcohol, inability to control how much they drink or to stop drinking once they’ve started, alcohol-related illnesses, and withdrawal symptoms when not drinking.
Cause and Effect
Alcoholism doesn’t have a single cause; instead, it is a combination of genetic markers and environmental factors. Heredity evidently plays a role, but no particular gene for alcoholism has ever been isolated. People with alcoholic parents are more likely to become alcoholics themselves; likewise, growing up in a home where alcohol is prevalent also increases your risk of becoming addicted to alcohol yourself. Your relationships with peers as you grow up also plays a role, as does the age at which you began drinking. Individuals who begin drinking at younger ages are more likely to abuse alcohol or become addicted to it than those who don’t start drinking until later.
Mental Health and Alcoholism
Mental health plays a major role in all forms of substance abuse. People with psychological disorders are more likely to engage in substance abuse, and people with alcohol or drug addictions are more likely to have at least one psychological disorder, such as generalised anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder. Individuals with mental health problems can sometimes tend to use alcohol to self-medicate and cover up the symptoms of their conditions. Alcoholism is particularly prevalent among people who have schizophrenia, as it can provide relief from symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and paranoia.
Other Causes
Sometimes, the explanation for a person’s alcohol dependence is a simple one. Sometimes people drink to fit in with their friends. Certain individuals will tell you that they don’t have a problem with beer or wine – only liquor. Still, others drink because they find it hard to relax in social situations and alcohol helps them loosen up and have fun. However, what begins as a social activity can quickly take on a life of its own. There are many different causes (and combinations of causes) of alcoholism. However, most alcoholics share a common symptom: denial. Functional alcoholics can fail to recognise that they have a problem. These people hold down jobs, keep their families together, and meet their social obligations, so they don’t see their drinking as a problem. However, long-term heavy drinking has serious consequences.
Where to Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centres
If you or someone you know is experiencing alcohol addiction, there are many alcohol addiction centres in Melbourne where you can find the support and treatment you need. Contact DayHab for information on our day programs and residential programs. Alcoholism is treatable, and there is hope. At DayHab, you’ll be treated with respect and empathy as you work toward recovery and healing. Give us a call today to learn how to start living the life you want.