Alcohol Addiction

After a night of drinking, you wake up, and feel a massive headache coming on. Your muscles ache, you feel groggy, and you didn’t get much sleep. These are all signs of a hangover; although typically harmless, hangovers can make it difficult to function the next day at work, and may cause you a lot of discomfort. An estimated 75% of people who drink alcohol to intoxication will experience a hangover the next morning as a result. Other symptoms, such as dry mouth, dizziness, rapid heartbeat and change in blood pressure may occur. What happens to your body when you drink alcohol that causes you to have a hangover the next day? Let’s look at what science has to say. First, it all depends on what you have been drinking. Research says the darker in color your alcoholic beverage is, the more congener it contains – leading to more severe hangovers. When the body processes alcohol in its system, chemicals called congeners form, which increase the frequency and severity of hangover symptoms. Many people also become low in blood levels of various hormones, which effect the hangover as well – for example, alcohol inhibits the antidiuretic hormone, leading a person to urinate more frequently and become easily dehydrated. Secondly, it depends on how much you had to drink and how you drank it. For example, a person who drinks quickly and has had little food to eat is more likely to experience a more severe hangover than someone who drinks moderately and has been eating throughout the night. A 2018 study published in the journal, “Addictive Behaviors” found that greater hangover severity predicted more future drinks per drinking day and alcohol problems. This makes sense, as many people who experience severe hangovers are likely heavy drinkers or drink dark liquors. Lastly, the environment in which a person drinks can affect the quality of and their ability to sleep. Loud music, smoke, flashing lights, and more can all impact your experience the next morning. Based on the physical effects of drinking, how can you prevent a hangover? There are many ways:

You may have noticed that your significant other, friend, or family member tends to act a bit differently when they’ve been drinking. For example, they may typically be shy and reserved sober, but after they’ve been drinking, they become the “life of the party”. Some people become very irritable and angry when they’re drunk – what accounts for these differences between people? Many studies have delved into this area to find out the exact cause. A study published in Clinical Psychological Science involved the recruitment of 156 participants who were split into several groups and assessed on five of the major personality traits after consuming either Sprite or vodka and Sprite cocktails to induce a blood alcohol content of about .09. After a 15-minute absorption period, participants who drank alcohol reported lower levels of conscientiousness (being careful or vigilant), openness to experience (attentiveness to inner feelings, active imagination, etc.), and agreeableness (warm, friendly, tactful), with higher levels of extraversion (outgoing, talkative, energetic) and emotional stability (stable and balanced). Overall, this study could show that our perception of what a “drunk person” or a “sober person” looks like doesn’t pan out to mean the same for everyone. As each person is different, it likely depends on the individual’s personality to begin with. For example, a 2016 study conducted by researchers from Finland found that individuals high on agreeableness and low on openness to experience are more likely to reduce alcohol consumption and lean more towards abstinence; where do you fit in? Many people who drink excessively are high sensation seekers – they tend to be more impulsive and use less perseverance because of their alcohol consumption. In addition, the way we handle our emotions can impact the way we think and act when we’re drunk. As alcohol tends to suppress our decision-making and emotion regulation strategies, people who suppress their anger are more likely to become more hostile when drinking. If you’ve been struggling with alcoholism, make the decision to seek help today. Excessive drinking can have negative repercussions on your health, relationships, career aspirations, and more. Don’t wait any longer to reach out to a reputable treatment center.

When most people describe the stereotype of what someone with alcoholism would “look like”, they may include a person going out for drinks a lot with friends, partying often, drinking too much, and getting into legal trouble due to their drinking. While these descriptions could be accurate for some, there is another side of alcoholism that doesn’t get discussed as often: drinking alone. Nearly 13.8 million Americans have a drinking problem; how many people do you imagine drink at home by themselves? The truth is, drinking home alone could be a warning sign of dependence/addiction, or it may not be; it all depends on the drinking pattern. Imagine this: You’ve had a party at home with several friends over. You’ve been sipping slowly on an alcoholic beverage all night, and by the time your friends go home, you decide to finish your drink. Is this problematic? Not necessary, but do you do this often? How many drinks have you had? What is your reason for continuing to drink after they’ve all left? The following are some concerning reasons for drinking alone:

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 15.1 million adults aged 18 or older had alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2015. About 6.7% of these individuals sought treatment, leaving an extremely wide gap.  Alcoholism is known as a disease that causes cravings to drink, loss of control over drinking, physical dependence, and tolerance by needing to drink more to achieve the initial effect. People with alcoholism or alcohol use disorder experience significant distress in their daily lives, as their drinking has affected their work, home, and/or social life as well as potential health and finances. Many people who drink heavily believe they can “cut down” or “lessen” their drinking whenever they want – is this true? Essentially, it all leads down to dependence. A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that most Americans who drink more than one or two drinks a day do not have alcoholism because their bodies would show signs of dependence. Physical dependence occurs when the body experiences withdrawal symptoms – such as anxiety, shaky hands, headaches, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and insomnia – that are very unpleasant. Other signs of dependence include worrying about when the next drink will be, planning events around alcohol, finding it difficult to stop drinking once you start, and feeling the need to drink in the morning. In other words, if a person does not have alcoholism, they may be able to have enough control to slow down. However, many people with alcoholism will say they can “quit anytime” as an excuse to continue drinking – this is due to changes in the brain that the addiction has caused. If you have not yet developed alcoholism but have been abusing alcohol, consider keeping a journal and tracker of your drinking habits, setting a goal of when, where, and how much you will allow yourself to drink without going overboard, getting rid of any alcohol in the house, drinking very slowly when you do drink, being mindful of peer pressure, guarding yourself against temptations to drink, and more. If you or a loved one has alcoholism, treatment is the only option to ensure the right measures are being taken to move towards sobriety.

Mental Health America states that codependency can be passed down from generation to generation within dysfunctional families. This is often because dysfunctional families refuse to acknowledge that problems exist and as such, family members learn to repress their feelings and disregard their own needs. When this occurs, family members often “lose touch”, disconnect, and hide themselves away. If you are someone who has gone through this, you may have developed some habits of codependency. This can be incredibly dangerous, as it increases your risks for being in abusive relationships. Psych Central has identified several characteristics of codependency, including:

According to a 2016 study published in the Psychological Science Agenda, workaholism consists of several things:

Celebrities are often in the spotlight not just for their talent, but for the lifestyle they lead and the choices they make. Demi Lovato is no exception; in 2017, she released her documentary, “Simply Complicated” on YouTube for fans to hear the truth behind her career and life. She explained her use with beginning cocaine at the age of 17 and following her father’s footsteps towards addiction – she stated that her father spent more time engaging in addiction than with his family. The inside look of her life reveals some of the struggles that she went through, how she experienced addiction and how she embraces recovery now. USA Today states that her documentary explores “some of her darkest times, including her drug addiction (which ranged from pills to cocaine), eating disorder and even a time she punched one of her back-up dancers.” Demi shared her moments of struggling with mental illness, and she stated for The Hollywood Reporter, “I’m looking at my future and my past, and I want to share that with my fans.” When Demi first appeared in Disney shows around the age of 15, she struggled with immense pressures to get everything she needed done, dress in certain ways, sing songs that others would like, and more. This increased her anxiety and struggled with anger. She experienced depression and had a lot of anger because of the pressures and her use with Adderall. She was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and shortly after treatment she was abusing drugs more. Demi stated, “I wasn’t ready to get sober. I was sneaking it on planes, sneaking it in bathrooms, sneaking it throughout the night – nobody knew.” Demi explained a moment in the documentary where she was asked to give up her cell phone by her managers. At 19, she was battling with addiction and was asked to submerge her phone in water – a phone that had the numbers of drug dealers and other people who would use with her. This was one of the defining moments that led her towards sobriety. Demi now has over 5 years of sobriety. Her documentary, although showing some difficult moments, is a film of success. Demi states that she is still working on being independent, and that she is still struggling with her eating disorder, but that she is proud of her sobriety to drugs and alcohol. Demi is, just like anyone else, a real person going through the ups and downs of recovery. She is still pushing through, and so can you. Don’t give up. Keep pushing.

Imagine this scenario. You’re at a club, and you’ve only had one or two drinks so far. You plan to drink more, but then you begin feeling strange. Your face becomes flushed, you experience warm, red, itchy bumps on your skin, your asthma is acting up more than ever, and your nose is becoming stuffy. What is happening? You were just feeling fine 30 minutes ago. Alcohol intolerance is real, and it can cause severely unpleasant reactions almost immediately after you drink alcohol. Additional symptoms from the ones listed above may include low pressure, headache, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea. If you experience alcohol intolerance, you may not need to see a doctor right away but rather refrain from drinking alcohol, limit the amount you are drinking or avoid certain types of alcohol altogether. However, if symptoms persist or become more severe, or are causing unnecessary pain, consult a physician immediately just to be safe. The enzyme in the body that digests alcohol, called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2), is shown up as a variant in other people’s genes, causing them to produce less active ALDH2. When this happens, it prevents the body from digesting the alcohol properly. A variety of ingredients within the alcohol beverage may cause the intolerance, including:

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 23.5 million people aged 12 or older need treatment for illicit drug or alcohol abuse. Addiction affects nearly all of America – a person with an addiction is affected mentally, physically, and spiritually – and their loved ones experience devastating moments of despair as they feel helpless watching their loved one struggle daily. No discrimination is exhibited when it comes to addiction, as all populations deal with this major issue. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides some excellent information on various populations: African Americans Illegal drug use among this population is 12.4%, compared to the national average of 10.2%. According to a 2014 study titled “Less Drinking, Yet More Problems: Understanding African American Drinking and Related Problems”, researchers from Indianapolis found that African Americans report a later initiation of alcohol use during adolescence and generally lower rates of use into adulthood, but they experience more social consequences from drinking as well as alcohol-related injuries and illnesses. African Americans are also at higher risk for polydrug use. American Indians and Alaskan Natives SAMHSA states that this population has amongst the highest rates of substance abuse and mental disorders compared to other U.S. racial or ethnic groups. The National Institute on Drug Abuse claims this is likely due to limited socioeconomic opportunity; American Indian youth are also initiating substance use earlier than other populations. Alaskan Native adolescents show to have the highest rates of lifetime tobacco use, marijuana use, nonmedical use of prescription relievers, and nonmedical use psychotherapeutics than other populations. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacific Islanders Among people ages 12 and older, the rate of illegal drug use was 4.1% amongst Asian Americans and 15.6% amongst Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders. Binge drinking was also lowest among Asian Americans with a 14.5% rate, while Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders experienced a rate of 18.3%. Many people in this population find difficulty seeking treatment for substance abuse due to language barriers and external societal perceptions of success. Hispanics or Latinos Of about 52 million Hispanics or Latinos in the United States, the rate of illicit drug use among Hispanics ages 12 and up was 8.9%, while the national average was 10.2%. Binge drinking amongst this population was 24.7%, and alcohol use within the past year among Hispanic youth was 23.9%. A study conducted by researchers from Chicago found that this population is about average with the general population on drinking rates, but tend to have poorer outcomes in substance abuse programs due to language and cultural barriers.

As someone stated on The Guardian when sharing their story of addiction and sobriety, “Ten years ago I wrote, ‘I can’t believe I’m writing this but being controlled by alcohol is so awful that even giving up drinking forever still feels better.’ Still is, still does.” For many people all over the world, and especially in the UK, “Dry January” was a month to kick off the New Year with sobriety and healthy habits. Some people considered it a way to drink less, while others consider it a way to begin detoxing from NYE celebrations. Fox News claims that taking a month of sobriety won’t necessary “undo” damage from excessive alcohol drinking in the past, nor should it be an excuse to drink excessively any other time of the year. Whether you participated in “Dry January” or not, why not make a commitment to sobriety each day? There are many benefits that sobriety can provide you with:

Therapy provides a great mechanism for individuals to work through their problems, learn more about themselves and others, gain perspective, develop tools to cope, and more. For people who suffer from borderline personality disorder BPD), several techniques may be used. There are a variety of holistic approaches that help people to work through a variety of symptoms that may be present in borderline personality disorder – mentalization-based therapy is one of them. Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) is a psychodynamically-oriented psychotherapy designed specifically to help individuals specifically with borderline personality disorder. Researchers Bateman and Fonagy, in their 2010 study titled “Mentalization based treatment for Borderline personality disorder,” found that mentalization-based therapy has been an effective treatment tool for BPD. Mentalizing is a process by which individuals make sense of each other and themselves, both implicitly and explicitly, and in terms of subjective and mental processes. Founder and CEO of Psych Central, Dr. John Grohol stated in 2016 that mentalization is a learned skill and that, by working with a therapist, people with BPD can learn to better understand behavior and feelings and how they are associated with different mental states. In 2011, MD Louis Choi-Kain from Harvard Medical School described mentalization as being comprised of two parties: the self, and other. Both parties have their own thoughts, feelings, motives, intentions, beliefs, desires, and needs. A person who suffers from BPD often has difficulty between imagined and real interaction with their own thoughts beliefs, etc. and understanding other’s thoughts, beliefs, etc. By partaking in MBT, a patient can work with a therapist to discover their own thoughts and reasons behind those thoughts and their behaviors. People with BPD often have difficulty empathizing with others, have a history of unstable relationships, have strong feelings of anxiety and depression, have a dysfunctional self-image, and more. MBT can help people explore their symptoms further so that they can recover from negative self-talk and mental scripts. This approach to therapy is slightly different from therapeutic approaches such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) because it is psychodynamic – the patient and therapist interact more often with each other and work together more to help the person learn more about themselves and others. If you suffer from borderline personality disorder, engaging in mentalization-based therapy could be very beneficial to you. The best way to know is to speak with your therapist about this approach. Seeking a therapist’s help is a great first step to your recovery, and could lead you to a happier, more productive life. Take action towards your overall health and well-being today by calling a therapist.

You may have done it at least once in your life. You went out, had a bit too much to drink, and you ended up contacting someone with slurred speech and an unsound mind. For some who party hard, this behavior becomes a repeated ritual. Although it sounds like a common mistake to commit while intoxicated, people need to realize what drunk dialing or texting really represents: a lapse in control.