Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol. In addition to physical and mental problems, alcohol use disorders often lead to social problems. The sufferer may cut back on work, social, and recreational activities. They may also drink at dangerous times. As a result, they develop a tolerance for alcohol and have to drink higher amounts to experience the desired effects.

Mental illness

Alcoholism and mental illness often co-exist. Alcoholism affects brain functions, altering brain chemical systems that are involved in common mental disorders. Alcoholism causes a wide range of psychiatric symptoms. These are called "signs," and they are objective phenomena that clinicians can observe in patients.

Alcohol abuse can result in varying symptoms depending on the person's last alcohol use and assessment of psychiatric complaints. For example, an alcoholic who is morbidly depressed may appear otherwise when they are acutely withdrawing from alcohol. Therefore, a thorough assessment of psychiatric symptoms is necessary in diagnosing someone with alcoholism.

Treatment of dual diagnosis is often more complex than treating each separately. It aims to address both symptoms and reduce drinking, which in turn helps a person become less dependent on alcohol. This approach requires the assistance of both mental health and addiction experts. While most mental health patients do not have much experience in dealing with alcoholism, most rehab facilities are equipped to handle dual diagnosis patients.

Genetic defect

Researchers have identified several gene variants related to alcohol dependence. Many of these genes are involved in metabolism. Although these genes do not fully explain the genetic risk for alcohol dependence, they do provide some insight. Rare variants, in particular, can increase the risk of alcohol dependency. Researchers are hopeful that more variants will be identified in the future.

Alcoholism is a disease that affects millions of Americans. It is the most prevalent of all addictive diseases. It causes approximately 100,000 deaths annually in the United States. Although genetics account for 50% of risk, other environmental factors also play a role. If you suspect that you or a loved one is at risk for alcoholism, you should monitor your drinking habits and seek help if symptoms develop. You can call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to talk with a professional.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and other institutions have identified several gene variants linked to alcohol dependence. Some of these variants appear to overlap with other genes that influence risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia.

Environmental factors

Despite the prevalence of alcohol abuse, few studies have investigated the environmental factors that influence alcohol consumption. Until now, most studies have relied on subjective reports of alcohol use to assess risk factors. However, they often failed to take into account the protective role of the environment. The present study aims to fill this gap by identifying environmental risk factors that are related to alcohol use in the US Marine Corps. The findings show that the environment is related to alcohol use and consumption and should be considered as a part of prevention efforts.

Alcoholism is a multifactorial disease with strong genetic and environmental influences. Twin studies have shown that alcoholism is heritable, with heritability rates ranging from 50 to 80%. While the search for genetic variants associated with alcoholism has been underway for nearly two decades, the success of these studies has been limited. Due to the polygenic nature of this disease, genome-wide association studies have been difficult to perform. However, newer methods such as network-based analysis have shown some promise.

Treatment options

There are many different types of treatment options for alcoholism. There are inpatient programs and outpatient programs. The former requires that the patient reside at the treatment facility while the latter allows the patient to continue living at home while attending treatment sessions at the treatment facility. Both types of treatment offer similar therapeutic techniques and programs but differ slightly in time and commitment.

The consequences of alcohol abuse are extensive. It increases the risk of heart disease, liver disease, and mental illness. People who abuse alcohol are more likely to commit suicide than non-alcoholics. The effects of alcohol misuse on the body and mind make ongoing treatment necessary. In addition, alcohol misuse increases the risk of developing other mental illnesses and makes existing mental illnesses worse.

Inpatient alcohol rehab programs include a variety of behavioral therapy approaches. The most common form is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which teaches patients healthy coping skills. Most inpatient rehabs also offer individual and group counseling, experiential therapies, and training in nutrition and health.