Is Alcoholism a Mental Disease? About Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcoholism or Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is far more than excessively drinking alcoholic beverages. It is a severe mental disease that involves both physical and psychological health problems.

When a large number of individuals speak informally of an individual abusing alcohol, they would describe him as an alcoholic, but alcoholism is more complicated than that. It is one of the disorders that can have catastrophic consequences if left untreated.

Thus, is alcoholism a sickness of the mind or a sick mind? Alcoholism is a mental disorder that shows effects both physically and mentally. This is not only a behavior or a decision issue, as alcohol use disorder may involve various physical problems and mental illnesses.

The causes, signs, and available treatments for alcohol addiction, as well as the impact of alcohol use disorders on mental health, will all be covered in this article. It’s essential to understand how deeply alcoholism affects not only the person struggling with it but also their loved ones and even their community.

Is Alcoholism a Mental Disease?

The DSM-5 acknowledges alcoholism as a mental illness. Another name for it is alcohol use disorder (AUD). This condition is characterized by a strong and persistent urge to drink alcohol despite the negative consequences it brings. The term alcoholism has historically been used to describe people with alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction, but it’s now understood to be a more complex mental illness.

Alcoholism, like many mental health conditions, can significantly affect one’s ability to control one’s drinking. Alcohol use disorders vary in severity and frequently result in long-term complications related to substance use disorders. While some may describe someone as an “alcoholic,” it is important to recognize that this is a severe mental disorder that can be treated with the right approach. Alcoholics can be rehabilitated.

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Alcohol Mental Health Disease

With alcohol addiction and mental health, there is a massive connection between alcohol consumption and mental health issues. Alcohol use disorders often coexist with other mental health conditions, like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric disorders. These alcoholic mental disorders can make it harder to stop drinking and manage the effects of alcohol. Over time, untreated alcohol use disorder can intensify both the addiction and mental health struggles, making recovery even more challenging.

Chronic drinking can exacerbate mental health problems, while mental health issues can increase the chances of alcohol dependence. That makes treatment complicated, where the mental health problem and the addiction should be addressed simultaneously in an integrated way. Only by addressing both the physical and mental aspects of the disorder can lasting recovery be achieved.

Alcohol and Mental Health

The psychological effects of consuming alcohol are severe. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of acquiring mental disorders, including:

• Depression: Alcohol also acts as a depressant, and it can increase depressive mood or desolation.
• Anxiety: Alcohol temporarily reduces anxiety, but after some time, it can increase anxiety.
• Amnesia: Prolonged drinking of alcohol should result in memory loss and mental impairment.
• Mood Swings: They tend to experience mood swings after abusing alcohol.

These psychological symptoms worsen the impact of alcohol use disorders, creating a vicious cycle. As drinking increases, so do mental health challenges, which in turn lead to further drinking as a way to cope. This creates a constant feedback loop, making it more difficult to break free from the addiction.

Causes of Alcoholism and Increased Risk

Alcoholism is not a condition that develops over a short time. It occurs as a result of a combination of factors that can raise the likelihood of developing a propensity for heavy drinking despite adverse outcomes. The increased risk of alcoholism is often influenced by:

• Genetics: The genetic family background plays a huge part. If a member of the family has had problems with alcohol, you might be at a higher risk of abusing alcohol.
• Mental Health: Those with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety are more likely to use alcohol as a coping mechanism, increasing their chances of developing an alcohol use disorder.
• Social Environment: Educated in a family where the use of alcohol is socially conditioned or even convinced to be used by peers is amongst the factors that may contribute to the development of alcoholism. Social pressures and the normalization of drinking can also play a role in the development of this disorder.

Other factors, such as trauma or stressful life events, can also trigger the progression of alcohol use disorder. The increased risk is also about the environment in which one grows up and the coping mechanisms they develop.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

One should be able to know the signs of an alcohol use disorder to help. Some common symptoms of alcohol addiction include:

• Inability to Control Drinking: You either end up drinking more than you intended to, or you have trouble quitting once you start.
• Continued Drinking Despite Harm: You keep drinking even when it causes relationship or health problems.
• Tolerance: You grow tolerant to the amount of alcohol you need to take to have the desired effects.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: When you attempt to quit drinking, you may feel anxious, nauseous, or shaky.
• Neglected obligations: Drinking is valued more highly than employment, education, or life itself.

Recognizing these signs early on is important for seeking the help needed to treat alcohol use disorder and avoid further problems.

Is Alcoholism a Mental Illness or Mental Disorder?

Alcoholism is indeed a mental illness or mental disorder. It is recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as an alcohol use disorder. People who have alcoholism often experience both physical dependence and mental health issues, making it necessary to seek comprehensive treatment. This condition can seriously impact daily life, but with proper treatment, recovery is possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Alcoholism is a complicated disease impacting the body and mind. It is recognized to be a mental illness and may affect your mental health to a considerable degree. In recognition that alcoholism is a psychological disorder, you or a loved one will obtain the proper treatment for alcohol abuse.

At We Level Up Washington, we hope to support you with every resource to heal mental illness and alcohol dependency. Contact us immediately to start the process.

Summary

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