What sets alcoholism apart from other health conditions is its chronic nature. Alcoholism is a long-term condition that often persists throughout a person’s lifetime. It is characterized by a cycle of relapse and remission, where individuals may experience periods of sobriety followed by episodes of drinking again. Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is considered a chronic disease because it involves long-term changes in brain function, leading to compulsive alcohol use despite negative consequences. Like other chronic diseases, it can relapse and requires ongoing management.

How Can Retention in Continuing Care Be Increased?

• Recognizing the genetic aspect of AUD is vital for spotting those at risk and providing appropriate support or treatment.
• The symptoms of alcoholism can vary from mild to severe, and it is important to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism.
• Even after periods of abstinence, the brain remains primed to respond intensely to alcohol-related cues, such as the sight of a drink or a familiar drinking environment.
• This escalation can lead to increased consumption and a higher risk of harm.

Every person experiences natural rewards in their life like a delicious meal, a favorite song, the pleasant feeling following exercise, or the happiness after sex, but drugs offer something more. The high that comes from using drugs is bigger, brighter, louder, and more gratifying than any natural reward, and it can make natural rewards seem small, dim, and quiet by comparison. To learn more about alcohol treatment options and search for quality care near you, please visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. Those who attend alcohol disease or 12-step programs soon learn what they must accept belief in the disease theory. The basal ganglia is critical in this phase because it serves as the brain’s reward system. It also triggers changes in how an individual responds to stimuli related to alcohol use.

Will I Suffer Withdrawal After Treatment?

Drinking more than planned, blackouts, hiding use, strong cravings, and failed attempts to cut down are early warnings. Treatment can halt or reverse the trajectory and prevent serious complications. Whether you’ve tried to stop many times or this is your first call for help, we will meet you with respect and a plan. If you’ve read this far and see yourself—or someone you love—there is a way forward. Thanks to AlcoholAwareness.org, I navigated the complexities of recovery with their practical advice and empathetic support, leading me to a stronger, sober future. Addiction has a unique ability to undermine a person’s integrity and authentic identity, as they are forced to make decisions that infringe upon their own values or those of others.

What is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

According to the National Library of Medicine, genetics can play a significant role in the risk of developing alcohol addiction. However, it’s not just genetics—environmental factors, such as family behavior and social influences, also contribute to the risk. Understanding this can help families address both genetic and environmental factors in supporting recovery. It wasn’t that long ago that society perceived people with alcoholism as immoral rather than sufferers of a chronic disease requiring intensive, long-term treatment. It was widely believed that people with addictions had moral or spiritual deficiencies and were self-indulgent, indolent, and reckless. As a result, these individuals were subjected to punitive remedies such as institutionalization rather than being provided mental health care.

• Additionally, some argue that the “”disease concept”” is not needed to justify medical intervention or a caring approach to those who are dependent on alcohol.
• It is based on the 12-step AA principles, but with a holistic goal of treating the whole person (i.e., body, mind, and spirit).
• Chronic diseases significantly decrease the quality of life for an individual and may interfere with their job attendance and performance, their participation in social activities and their overall mental health.
• Thus, extended treatment with naltrexone may be most appropriate for certain patient subgroups.

Exercise and Recovery: Stress Reduction

BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. Outpatient treatment allows people to come and go to keep their jobs, spend time with family, and live a more normal life. This means the stimuli can activate the dopamine system and cause powerful, lasting urges. Personal narratives of overcoming alcoholism serve as powerful beacons of hope for those still navigating the stormy seas of addiction. Matt Senecal’s journey, as featured in Journey Magazine, resonates with a familiar refrain heard in many 12-step meetings. His early initiation into drinking at the tender age of 10 or 11, surrounded by older peers, marks the beginning of a path tread by countless others.

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To achieve and maintain long-lasting recovery from alcohol misuse, much like other chronic disorders, a commitment to continued treatment and management is necessary. People with alcohol use disorders can improve their chances of making a full recovery by taking the time to learn Sober living house about their treatment options and the value of ongoing support. Considering alcoholism a disease shifts the focus from a cause-and-effect perspective to understanding the co-occurring nature of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

Alcoholism is a complex disease with psychological, biological, and social why is alcoholism considered a chronic disease components, and like other chronic illnesses, it often involves cycles of relapse and remission. The risk of developing AUD is influenced by genetics, biology, age, environment, and social influences. For example, individuals with a family history of alcoholism are more likely to develop the disorder themselves.