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Beach House Recovery Center » Blog » How Long Does It Take To Get Addicted to Alcohol
In 2018, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reported that more than 15,000,000 Americans dealt with alcohol use disorder (AUD). This disease has sweeping repercussions on both a societal and individual level, often leading to broken communities and families. A glance at the alarming rates of alcoholism over the past two decades reveals that not only are Americans drinking larger quantities, but they are also drinking more frequently and more irresponsibly.
In a day and age where more than a quarter of Americans engage in binge drinking at least once a month, the line separating social drinking and partying from full-blown alcoholism blurs. Even if you are just a casual drinker who parties on occasions, such habits can unintentionally devolve into alcohol addiction over time, especially when life begins throwing curve balls. So, whether you or someone you care for engages in frequent drinking, you should be aware of how long it takes for you to become addicted to alcohol as well as the common signs of addiction.
Below, our alcohol detox experts from Beach House Recovery will discuss the time frame of addiction, the causes of alcoholism, and the signs to look for.
Alcohol affects everyone differently, especially when it comes to addiction. Alcoholism can sneak up on a person gradually, taking years for some, or it can seemingly happen overnight in just a few months of heavy drinking. Some alcoholics drink themselves into a stupor, and others manage to function and seem relatively sober despite their intoxication. As a result, there are no clear-cut answers to the question posed above since it depends on the person. That said, there are underlying causes and risk factors that could speed up the timeline or increase the likelihood of developing an addiction.
AUD typically results from four key factors: biological, psychological, environmental, and social.
In the last decade, scientists have identified up to 51 genes in various chromosomal regions that indicate a link to alcoholism. For such people, these genes can affect the draw alcohol has on a person and the effects it causes. As a result, if you have family members who have struggled with alcoholism, then there is a substantial likelihood that you also have a predisposition towards alcohol addiction, which means you must be wary.
People suffering from chronic mental conditions regularly self-medicate, using alcohol’s depressing effects in order to mask or deaden the symptoms of their psychological disorder. More often than not, such drinking practices only serve to exacerbate the underlying mental health issues. Rather than confronting their issues in a healthy manner, those problems are left to fester. Over time, habitual drinking can turn into alcoholism.
Consider who you spend your free time with. When you are together, what are you doing? If the answer to that question predominantly involves alcohol, it is simple to see how that could morph into substance abuse. This is one of the reasons why people in recovery are encouraged to avoid people with whom their friendship was predominantly based on drinking. By removing these social factors, you decrease the temptation to drink.
There are quite a few risk factors that can increase both the speed and the likelihood of someone developing AUD. Although these factors do not guarantee that you will acquire a drinking issue, you should be aware of them. Their presence should be strong warning signals that you should avoid drinking heavily and frequently. Factors include:
According to the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), alcohol use disorder is defined as, “A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.” There are 11 overarching behaviors that are typically manifested by someone who is struggling with alcohol use disorder. These include:
Signs you should watch out for can typically be categorized into one of two groups: social and physical signs of addiction.
If a habit is allowed to evolve into a full-blown addiction, there are severe potential ramifications to a person’s life. Probable consequences include:
The way alcohol affects a person can vary for individuals, and the time it takes for it to sink its claws in can also fluctuate. Some can develop addiction in just a few months of heavy drinking, and others can develop a habit that gradually worsens over the years. Regardless, frequent binge drinking is a recipe for disaster and can have serious and lasting consequences on a person’s life.
If you or someone you love manifests the signs of addiction and is turning into an alcoholic, intervene as soon as possible to prevent irreversible damage from occurring. Since withdrawals from alcohol can be quite trying, doctors recommend that you undergo alcohol detox at an inpatient facility such as Beach House Recovery. There, with the help of professional staff, you can get clean.
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Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
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