Alcohol Addiction | Definition, Symptoms and Effects

There is no one answer to this question as there are many different routes to addiction. Some people may start drinking alcohol to cope with negative emotions such as sadness, anger or anxiety while others drink alcohol because it makes them feel good or because their social life and group of friends revolve around drinking.

Some people are also more at risk of developing an addiction to alcohol than others. If you have a family history of addiction, are struggling with mental health issues or have experienced trauma, you may be more likely to develop an addiction.

The UK has a big drinking culture which means many people’s addictions go unspotted. With regular drinking being seen as completely “normal”, it can be hard to know when your drinking habits have become a problem.

The answer to this question is both.

On a physical level, alcohol is a depressant and so when you drink it, your brain will start to slow down. This can make you feel more relaxed and less anxious and help you relieve stress. However, as your body becomes used to alcohol, it will start to build up a tolerance. This means that you will need to drink more and more alcohol in order to achieve the same effects.

As your alcohol addiction progresses, you will also start to experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop drinking or cut back on your alcohol consumption. This is called dependence and it traps you in a cycle of alcohol abuse until you are completely addicted.

On a mental level, addiction can be both a symptom and cause of an underlying mental health condition as well as a condition itself. It causes changes in the way that your brain functions and this can lead to compulsive behaviours, cravings and an inability to control your drinking.

The problem with alcoholism is that drinking is so ingrained in British culture that it can be hard to know when your drinking has become a problem. Addiction is a very sneaky condition that will try and convince you there is no issue and that you are in control.

If you are worried about how much you are drinking, here are some questions to ask yourself which could indicate signs of alcohol addiction:

• Have I put myself or others in danger through my drinking such as by driving while under the influence of alcohol?
• Am I unable to stick to the limits I set myself on how much alcohol I will drink?
• Do I need a drink in the morning in order to feel normal or function during the day?
• Do I need to drink in order to feel relaxed or cope with social situations?
• Have I drunk to forget or escape my problems?
• Do I struggle to remember what happened when I was drinking?
• Do I get defensive when people try to talk to me about my drinking?
• Have people close to me told me they are worried about my drinking habits?
• Do I drink alone or in secret?

If you recognise any of these signs, the best thing is to seek help immediately. The earlier you address the situation and take steps to resolve it, the better your chances of overcoming alcohol addiction. Get in touch with us today and our team of experts will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

In the UK, alcoholism is a very real and serious problem. In 2020, there were 8,974 alcohol-specific deaths in the UK. During the Coronavirus Pandemic and related lockdowns, the rates of alcohol addiction rose across the UK as people found themselves drinking more to cope with stress and anxiety. Alongside government cuts to alcohol addiction treatment funding, this has seen a major backlog in people waiting for NHS services.

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, get in touch with us today and we can advise you on the best course of action.