Alcohol can have varying effects on an individual depending on some factors. For some, alcohol works in the body to create a temporary feeling of happiness. For others, it is the other way around. It can cause stress, depression, and other problems for the body.
What happens if you drink alcohol every day? It leads to alcohol dependence, the inability of an individual to stop taking alcohol. Constant intake of alcohol can lead to abuse and dependence. Alcohol abuse is a major problem today because most people across all age groups are involved in it.
This article is designed to help you better understand the common warning signs of alcohol dependency. If you have questions on available Colorado alcohol treatment, contact AspenRidge Recovery today at (719) 259-1107.
What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is an alcohol use disorder that refers to the inability of an individual to manage an excessive drinking habit. People struggling with alcoholism feel as if they cannot function well without the intake of alcohol.
People often wonder how many drinks they can take per week will make them alcoholic. Unfortunately, knowing the number of drinks that will make an individual alcoholic is difficult to ascertain. This situation is due to differences in body types, gender, and tolerance.
For men, the maximum number of drinks per day is four, and the maximum per week is 14. Likewise, females should consume at most three drinks a day and a maximum of seven weekly.
What Happens if You Drink Alcohol Every Day?
If you are wondering what happens if you drink alcohol every day it can lead to excessive drinking or being alcoholic. People often ask if they are alcoholics because they consume them every day. Daily intake of the substance leads to alcohol use disorder which poses harmful effects in the long run.
Alcohol use disorder is a broad term that encompasses other conditions such as alcohol dependence, addiction, and alcoholism. There are increased chances of developing Alcohol use disorder if an individual consumes alcohol daily.
What Is Considered Alcohol Dependence?
Alcohol dependence is when an individual has a history of excessive drinking and an inability to control consumption. Alcohol dependence does not happen in a day; it is the cumulative effect of frequent substance intake. People who experience alcohol dependence need specialized treatment to get out of the state.
What Happens When You Are Alcohol Dependent?
Being alcohol dependent means an individual cannot stop taking the substance despite its health risks. At a later stage, the individual takes drinking important and feels they won’t perform well or survive without it. Alcohol dependence has a broad list of harmful effects on the body.
Symptoms of Alcohol Dependence?
There are different symptoms of alcohol dependence. Frequent intake of alcohol can damage vital body organs such as the kidney and liver. Alcohol can also affect the body’s largest organ, the skin. People who have a problem with alcoholism often experience different skin problems.
Below are the other symptoms of alcohol dependence:
- Craving for alcohol
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Having withdrawal symptoms
- Inability to stop drinking at will
- Inability to work well without alcohol
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Too much intake of alcohol
5 Factors That Could Lead to Alcohol Dependence
Different factors can lead to alcohol dependence in an individual. Both internal and external factors could lead to alcohol dependence.
The internal factors are personal choice or an individual personality and genetics. The external factors include the culture and the environment at large. Below are the five most common factors that could lead to alcohol dependence.
Drinking at an Early Age
People exposed to the substance early in their pre-teen or teenage years tend to experience alcohol dependence as they age. Most people become used to the habit and find it difficult to quit. The risk for alcoholism is high if an individual starts to drink at a young age. Therefore, looking out for young people at risk of being dependent is important.
Family History
University of Rochester Medical Center says there is a link between family history and alcoholism. Therefore, if an individual has a parent or close relatives with a drinking problem, there is a high chance that the individual will experience the same.
Stress
People have different ways of coping with stress. For example, some individuals resort to alcohol to relieve themselves of a stressful day. However, after a while, frequent intake of the substance can lead to alcohol dependence.
Mental Health Disorders
Mental health issues are one of the major factors that could lead to alcohol dependence. People who experience depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health problems resort to alcohol to get out of the state. In the long run, this situation leads to alcohol dependence.
Peer Pressure
Since drinking has become a norm, some individuals feel pressured to join. The pressure to take alcohol from friends and society can lead to alcoholism in an individual.
Dual Diagnosis in Colorado
An individual can experience mental health problems and alcoholism simultaneously. For example, an individual experiencing anxiety can get used to taking alcohol to feel less anxious. However, the National Alliance on Mental Illness says about one-third of people struggling with alcohol abuse have mental health problems.
Some of the mental health disorder that works simultaneously with alcohol addiction are:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Anxiety
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders like Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
- Depression
Is Alcohol Dependence the Same as Alcoholic?
Alcoholic and alcohol dependence are both terms used to describe alcohol use disorders. Most people use both terms interchangeably to address alcohol addiction. However, they are both outdated terms.
AspenRidge Recovery Colorado Alcohol Addiction Program
The first step to being free from struggling with alcohol abuse is detoxification.
The detoxification should be under strict medical supervision. Once an individual has developed a tolerance to alcohol, it is not easy to stop them from taking it. When they try to stop, they often experience withdrawal symptoms which can be severe sometimes. This reason is why recovery from alcohol addiction should be properly monitored.
Alcohol Rehab Programs in Colorado
With AspenRidge Recovery, you can get alcohol addiction treatment for yourself and your loved ones.
There are centers in Fort Collins, Denver, and Colorado Springs, all in Colorado. At these centers, people struggling with alcohol addiction can get help through rehabilitation.
AspenRidge Recovery center does not treat substance abuse only. Instead, they get to the root cause of the habit and work on it. There are different programs to suit each person’s situation. For questions, clarifications, and to know more about AspenRidge Recovery, contact us today at (719) 259-1107.
