Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol Addiction and its Roots

By Jonathan Huttner

Alcohol addiction, as defined by the American Medical Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine, is diagnosed as a brain disease which results in the frequent and excessive use of alcohol, despite the negative consequences it has on a person's life. Many professionals refer to alcohol addiction, alcoholism or alcohol dependence as a compulsive and obsessive preoccupation with alcohol and the inability to recognize the negative effects it has on their life.

Alcohol addiction causes over 100,000 deaths every year in the United States. It is the leading cause of death in teenagers due to alcohol related motor vehicle accidents. When a person enters a center for alcohol addiction treatment, their first step in recovery is to safely detoxify the body and remove alcohol from the system.

If you require help in locating safe and effective alcohol detox programs in your area, call 1-866-99-DETOX (1-866-993-3869). All calls are confidential.

It is important to realize that not everyone who suffers from alcohol addiction drinks in the same manner. Some people with alcohol addiction drink all day; some drink at certain times of the day; and some binge drink. It is for this reason that the most effective alcohol addiction treatment programs are those that design tailor made treatment plans to meet each patient's individual needs. These individualized alcohol addiction treatment plans should be modified as a patient meets their personal goals and objectives.

Alcohol Addiction: Contributing Factors

Although we do not know the exact reason alcohol addiction develops, we are aware of a few contributing factors:

Genetics There is often a genetic "link" towards addiction, compulsive and obsessive behavior and thinking. This is not to say that genetics alone is sufficient to put an addiction in place, but that the nature of the addiction may well be influenced by genetics. For instance, an alcoholic often has alcoholic parents or grandparents.

Trauma A trauma of one sort or another can shape and foster alcohol addiction. Sex addicts or those with an eating disorder often have a background of being sexually abused as children. In reviewing alcohol addiction and those affected by it, individuals who have a history of trauma and post traumatic stress often make up a very large percentage.

Shame Another important element of alcohol addiction is shame. Shame is very powerful and robs people of self worth so they use alcohol to cope.

Environment A person's environment has a lot to do with their reliance on alcohol. This, in conjunction with their social network, can certainly be components leading to alcohol addiction.

Call Now for Alcohol Addiction Treatment
99 Detox has become one of the nation's leading referral sources in the area of alcohol addiction treatment. If you, or someone you love, is in need of treatment for alcohol addiction, please call our confidential, toll-free helpline at 1-866-99-DETOX (1-866-993-3869). Professionals are available 24/7 to take your call and help you on your road to recovery.

Jonathan Huttner is one of the founders of Lakeview Health Systems, which has treated over 7,000 people from throughout the United States. Jonathan has been involved in the field of addiction and eating disorder treatment for the past 25 years.