People in all cultures across time have used psychoactive substances
as part of their social and religious rituals.
In North America, people use a variety of substances to commune with others, celebrate, relax, recreate and de-stress. Consuming alcohol is a legal and socially acceptable way to socialize and unwind. Moderate alcohol use is generally not a problem; it becomes a problem when it results in a pattern of impaired control of substance use, social impairment and risky use.
In addition to the behaviours, alcohol addiction is associated with changes in brain chemistry and physiology that result in tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is observed when a person requires more and more alcohol to achieve the same effect. Withdrawal is what happens when people drink a lot over a long period of time and then stop. As the alcohol leaves the body, people experience a variety of distressing physical symptoms that often drive them to drink again.
Controlled withdrawal from serious alcohol use (detoxification) often requires medical management in an inpatient setting. An important consideration for serious long-term alcohol addiction is the variety of changes in brain chemistry and physiology that can persist beyond detoxification. These changes in physiology result in repeated relapse and intense craving. Understanding these long-term effects is important in effectively managing alcohol addiction over the long-term.
Alcohol use problems are very common. People often drink in an attempt to cope with a mood, anxiety or relationship problems. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 25% of people seeking treatment for a mood or anxiety problem also have a significant substance use problem.
Alcohol use is very treatable and, for many, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an important part of the solution. However, because it often masks an underlying mood or anxiety problem and requires intense intervention, including medically-managed withdrawal in an inpatient setting, the first step towards appropriate and effective treatment is a thorough and proper diagnostic assessment from a physician or psychologist.
