Addiction to alcohol - Am I addicted to alcohol?

Published 06/07/2009

 Am I addicted to alcohol?  You might be asking yourself this question after a particularly bad episode of drinking, or following a challenge from family or friends.  However, below Sue Allchurch, director of Linwood Group, discusses what an addiction to alcohol actually is and why it is important to determine if you or a loved one are abusing alcohol, or addicted to it. 

It is hard to define the moment when the ‘odd drink' becomes a need, not just a want, but more and more people are struggling with alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction across the UK.  So, what is the difference between the two and why do we need to make such a distinction?  Addiction is defined as being "abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)", abuse is one step down from addiction and is defined as "misuse: improper or excessive use".

Alcohol abuse becomes apparent when, over a period of time, a person's drinking has repeatedly caused or contributed to risk-taking behaviours, role impairment and relationship or legal problems.  It shows that the person is drinking alcoholic beverages to excess, either on individual occasions ('binge drinking') or as a regular practice, without the development of tolerance, withdrawal or a compulsive alcohol use pattern.  Addiction to alcohol however is the next stage on from this and is characterised in a person by their increased tolerance to the effects of alcohol, the presence of characteristic withdrawal signs and symptoms, and impaired control over the quantity and frequency of their drinking.

There has been a lot of debate in the medical profession and the media at large as to whether addiction is a disease, and also if it is genetic.  Although there are those who say that addiction should be classified as a disease and others that don't, it has been shown that there is a genetic predisposition towards alcohol addiction (or dependency as it is known in the medical community):  The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism has identified five chromosomes that might cause someone to be predisposed to developing alcohol dependence.  At this point it might be tempting to think ‘well, why fight nature then?', but even though some people have a genetic and biological component that makes them more susceptible to substance dependence, that does not mean that if it becomes an addiction it is untreatable. 

The key to success is in the diagnosis of the addiction and the tailoring of the treatment to suit the individual.  As Dr Norman G Hoffman writes in Addiction Today "The extent to which dependent people have different biological and/or psychological reactions to a given substance should influence the type and extent of treatment required, as compared to those who are misusers or abusers." 

Typically, people who are diagnosed as alcohol abusers can be helped with a brief intervention, including education concerning the dangers of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning.  For those who have become addicted to alcohol however, more intensive help is required.  Due to the complexity of addiction it is not only the physical, but psychological and emotional aspects that will need treatment.  Help for alcohol addiction will need to be in the form of detoxification, medical treatment, counselling and/or self-help group support - depending on the needs of the individual. 

 Overall, addiction can be defined as a disorder where loss of control, a need to continue the behaviour or substance and a preoccupation with the habit forms the greater part of the person's life.  It is a complex illness and will need expert advice and intervention if a person is to tackle the physical, emotional and psychological issues surrounding it adequately.

For free and confidential advice on gaining professional support and care for your own or a friend or family members help for alcohol addiction not call Linwood Group on Freephone 0800 066 4173 (or if you are calling from a mobile phone or from overseas, call 01226 698 054) to begin living free from addiction?

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