Cause Alcohol Abuse or Dependence

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It is not clear why some people develop alcohol abuse or dependence problems and others do not, although experts know that alcoholism often runs in families. People with depression or other mental health conditions also tend to be more likely to abuse alcohol.

Over time, if you regularly drink too much alcohol, you might become dependent on it.

Symptoms

You might not realize that you have a drinking problem. You might not drink every day, or you might not drink large amounts when you do drink. You might go for days or weeks between drinking episodes. Many people say they are "social drinkers" because they do not drink every day. But even if you don't drink very often, it is still possible to be abusing alcohol and to be at risk for becoming addicted to it.

You might think you can quit drinking at any time. Many people who have alcohol problems do quit for periods of days, weeks, or even months before they start drinking again. But unless you can consistently keep your drinking under control and not fall back into unhealthy patterns, you need help.

Signs of alcohol abuse

• You have problems at work or school such as tardiness, absenteeism, increased injuries, and decreased performance related to alcohol use.
• You drink in dangerous situations, such as before or while driving a car.
• You have blackouts—this means that after a drinking episode, when you are sober again, you cannot remember what happened while you were drinking.
• You have legal problems because of your drinking, such as being arrested for driving or for physically harming someone while intoxicated.
• You get hurt or hurt someone else when you are drinking.
• You continue to drink despite health problems that are caused or made worse by alcohol use, such as a peptic ulcer.
• Your friends or family are worried about your drinking.

Signs of alcohol dependence or addiction

• You crave alcohol and are not able to control your drinking, even when you want to.
• You have withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, or anxiety when you cut back or stop drinking.
• You must drink more alcohol to feel the same effects.
• In spite of the signs, you think you don't have a problem.
• Friends or family members are worried about your drinking.
• You have physical signs of alcohol dependence, such as blackouts.
• You hide your drinking or hide how much you drink.
• You are not comfortable in situations where alcohol is not served.

It is common for people who have problems with alcohol to have mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. People who abuse alcohol are more likely to also have a problem with other substances, such as tobacco or illegal drugs.

Do you have a drinking problem? Symptoms of alcohol abuse in children and teens sometimes are different from the symptoms seen in adults. For more information, see the topic Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Complications

Long-term heavy drinking damages the liver, nervous system, heart, and brain. It also contributes to high blood pressure, stomach problems, interactions between medicines and alcohol, sexual problems, osteoporosis, and cancer. Alcohol abuse can also lead to violence, accidents, social isolation, and difficulties at work and home.

Drinking alcohol can cause unique problems for teens, older adults, pregnant women, and people with other health conditions. If you are pregnant, you should not drink any alcohol, because it increases the risk of developmental problems in your unborn baby.

What Happens

Alcohol abuse or dependence can develop very quickly or gradually over your lifetime. In the beginning, your drinking might not appear to be any different from the way other people drink. Some people drink only occasionally but drink a lot (binge drinkers), which can lead to alcohol abuse. Over time, your drinking might become a way for you to feel normal or to cope with life's problems.

People who drink heavily over many years can develop complications of continued alcohol use such as liver disease (cirrhosis), depression, or peptic ulcer. They often have ongoing social problems and legal problems (such as traffic violations or accidents) as a result of drinking.

What Increases Your Risk

You are more at risk for developing alcohol abuse and dependence if you:

• Have a family history—this includes a genetic link—of alcohol abuse and were exposed to alcohol in your home as you grew up.
• Use alcohol at an early age. The younger you are when you first drink alcohol, the higher your risk of developing alcohol use problems later as an adult.
• Are male. For every woman who develops alcohol use problems, three men develop them.
• Have a history of mental health conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. It is common to use alcohol to try to self-medicate these conditions.
• Use or abuse other substances such as tobacco, illegal drugs, or prescription medicines.

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Reviewed: 11/2005