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Alcoholism, referred to as alcohol use disorder, occurs when someone drinks so much that their body eventually becomes dependent on or addicted to alcohol. This may be due to various factors, such as people attempting to self-medicate with alcohol. Genetic, biological, environmental, and social factors may also play a role. A person can speak with a healthcare professional for guidance and support, especially someone specializing in mental health. The prevalence of AUD in people with anxiety disorders is 20% to 40%. Genetic and environmental factors both contribute to the co-occurrence of the disorders.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
If behavioral or mental symptoms aren’t appropriately treated, long-term alcohol abuse can lead to physical complications such as cirrhosis of the liver, chronic brain deterioration and, the most serious consequence of all, death. As a mental health condition, AUD refers to alcohol use that feels distressing or beyond your control. Many mental health-centered treatments for AUD can help recovery, from motivational interviewing to mindfulness training.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
You might notice certain times of the day or being around certain people will make you feel more anxious or more depressed and want to drink more. Noticing these moments can help you make a plan for different ways to cope. You may not realize how much alcohol you\u2019re actually drinking in a week. A good first step is to keep a record of how much alcohol you drink and of when you don\u2019t drink throughout the week.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
People must have at least five of the above symptoms, examples of powerlessness over alcohol<\/a> including a persistent depressed mood, to have a depression diagnosis. Depression is a mood disorder that can cause chronic feelings of sadness, numbness, and loss of joy, regardless of changes in circumstances. Alcohol affects your brain, making you feel relaxed in a small amount of time.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n