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But in 1956, the AMA officially designated alcoholism as a disease, meaning people should be hospitalized and treated for the condition. The AMA emphasized that in the case of alcoholism (as opposed to intoxication), the person did not have control over their alcohol use. In addition to being a diagnosable mental health condition, AUD is also a medical disease. Addictive substances like alcohol affect the pleasure and reward center of the brain, triggering an increase in dopamine levels. Water is of course the ultimate fuel, but if you’re missing that feeling of having a treat whilst cutting down or still want to drink something exciting around other people who are drinking alcohol, treat yourself and try out some different soft-drinks. There are many brands in the alcohol-free drink market, including Seedlip.

Dealing with substance abuse, alcoholism, or drug addiction is never easy, and it’s even more difficult when you’re also struggling with mental health problems. While alcoholism might not be as easy to spot https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/mental-disorders-alcohol-use/ as other diseases or mental health conditions, it is still considered both a medical and mental condition. In addition, treatment for alcohol abuse involves both physical and psychological components.

Addiction Resources for Veterans

A substance abuse problem is not defined by what drug you use or the type of alcohol you drink, though. Rather, it comes down to the effects your drug or alcohol use has on your life and relationships. In short, if your drinking or drug use is causing problems in your life, you have a substance abuse problem. Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior.

Substance abuse may sharply increase symptoms of mental illness or even trigger new symptoms. Abuse of alcohol or drugs can also interact with medications such as antidepressants, anxiety medications, and mood stabilizers, making them less effective at managing symptoms and delaying your recovery. Outpatient rehab allows patients to recover from a co-occurring disorder while still attending to daily personal and professional responsibilities at home. This type of treatment requires individuals to visit a rehab facility several times each week to participate in various programs and support groups.

Graduate School of Addiction Studies

Furthermore, under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, health insurance companies are legally required to cover treatment for substance abuse and mental health disorders, including alcoholism. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded on this law, requiring insurance carriers to cover mental health and substance abuse treatment at the same level as other essential medical services. Alcoholism is a substance use disorder that develops gradually over time.

The issues that began in the problematic drinking stage evolve in this stage to further affect the user’s life, relationships, and overall health. Similar to widely-known mental health disorders, alcoholism makes an appearance in the 5th and most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Sometimes one disorder precedes the other, but the presence of both tends to worsen the symptoms of each. Mental disorders that most commonly co-occur with an AUD or SUD include depression, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Alcohol can not only affect your own mental and physical health but can also negatively impact the lives of people around us. If you’re worried about how someone’s drinking habits are affecting you, AI-Anon provides information on advice and support available for both yourself and the person you’re worried about.

Is Alcoholism a Mental Illness or Chronic Disease?

Similarly, talk therapy is far less effective if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Other mental health problems that commonly co-occur with substance abuse or addiction include Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder, and PTSD. Sometimes people drink alcohol to help with the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Alcohol changes the way your brain cells signal to each other, which can make you feel relaxed. Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem.