Alcohol addiction (also known as alcohol use disorder) is a serious problem. It can cause physical and mental health problems and can have a significant impact on your life.

Fortunately, treatment is available and can help you stop drinking. It can involve therapy, medications and support groups.

Addiction is a chronic disease

Like diabetes, asthma and other chronic diseases, addiction is a long-term problem. It can affect your physical, mental and social health and can cause serious complications if left untreated.

Addiction is a brain disease that changes the way you think, feel and act. It can also affect your relationships with others and your ability to work or study.

A person with a drug or alcohol addiction typically has a hard time stopping using. They may have trouble working, getting along with friends or family members, focusing at school, or coping with legal problems.

If you or a loved one is addicted to alcohol or another drug, it is important to seek treatment. A comprehensive plan will focus on treating all aspects of your addiction and helping you live a healthier life. This can include counseling, medications, and rehabilitation. It may involve living at a rehab facility (inpatient treatment) or visiting one for scheduled sessions (outpatient treatment). Aftercare can help you learn new coping skills and prevent relapse.

It affects the brain

Alcohol can cause a number of physical and mental health problems, including brain disorders. It is a known toxin that can damage brain cells and affect cognitive functions like speech, memory and concentration.

It can also slow the production of chemicals that transmit signals between different areas of the brain. This makes it difficult to think clearly, or even make decisions.

Long-term alcohol abuse can also reduce the volume of gray and white matter in the brain, which may increase a person’s risk for dementia.

Aside from damaging the brain, alcohol addiction can also lead to severe withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop drinking. These include delirium tremens, which can cause seizures and hallucinations.

It can cause physical health problems

Alcohol is a chemical substance made from ethanol (ethyl alcohol). It is found in many drinks, such as beer, wine, and liquor.

Regular or heavy drinking increases your risk of several health problems, including heart disease and cancer. It also affects the brain, liver and bones.

It can lower the immune system’s ability to fight infection and increase blood clots. In addition, it can make it harder to absorb nutrients and minerals from food.

Long-term heavy alcohol use can damage your heart and arteries, increasing your risk of a stroke and heart disease. It can also lead to a condition called cirrhosis of the liver, an irreversible and progressive disorder.

It can cause mental health problems

Alcohol addiction can cause mental health problems if you use it as a way to cope with stress, anxiety or depression. It can also trigger psychosis, self-harm and even suicide.

The use of alcohol can also contribute to other mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and depression. If you think that you may be suffering from an alcohol problem, you should seek treatment.

People who drink alcohol regularly have a greater risk of developing mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. They may also have problems with their relationships or school work.

If you have a loved one with an alcohol problem, be sure to offer your support and try to stay empathetic. It is also important to control your own feelings about their drinking so you can help them.