Alcohol Use Disorder
Like tobacco use, drinking alcohol can be addictive, especially for some people. Alcohol use can increase the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. An alcohol use disorder is a type of substance use disorder in which a person has an addiction to alcohol and continues to consume it despite short- and long-term negative health effects.
No one who drinks alcohol intends to develop an addiction to alcohol. Despite this, drinking alcohol can easily lead to one. People who start drinking before 15 years of age are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking as adults.
Addiction to alcohol develops gradually through a series of stages (Figure 10.3). During the experimentation stage, people try alcohol and may drink it occasionally. For example, young people may try alcohol after seeing their parents drinking or may feel pressured by their friends.
Some people who experiment with alcohol decide they do not like it and quit drinking. For others, experimentation can lead to regular use. During this stage, people consume alcohol on a regular basis. People who engage in moderate drinking limit their alcohol intake to not drink too much.
Regular use, however, often causes people to drink more than they should. This results in the development of an alcohol use disorder.
Regular use causes the body to develop a tolerance for alcohol. In this stage, a person’s body gets used to a certain amount of alcohol (Figure 10.4). A person must consume larger amounts of alcohol than previously needed to feel the same effects. This can easily lead to heavy drinking and an alcohol dependence.
Dependence occurs when the user is psychologically and physically dependent on alcohol. Once a dependence on alcohol exists, a person must have the substance in the body for the body to function as it did before alcohol use. If a person tries to stop drinking, withdrawal symptoms may occur. These symptoms may include hallucinations, impaired coordination, and disruptions in brain function.
People with an alcohol addiction show a number of signs and symptoms. They may have a strong craving for alcohol and may not be able to limit their drinking. They may also experience memory loss or a blackout (forget what happened while drinking). People with an alcohol addiction often continue to drink despite serious issues with their physical and mental health, as well as trouble with their family and friends, school, or other responsibilities.