Is Alcohol Addiction Permanent

There is a reason why you will never hear the term “recovered alcoholic.” That is because alcoholism is a chronic disease of the brain that has no cure. However, alcohol use disorder is a condition that can be successfully managed, allowing you to live a full and productive life. So, is alcohol addiction permanent? Yes, but it is possible to get sober and remain sober for the rest of your life.

Why is Alcohol Addiction Permanent?

The chronic consumption of alcohol has a profound impact on the brain. This is the reason why alcoholism is considered a chronic disease of the brain. When alcohol is ingested it causes a pleasurable effect that releases the brain chemical dopamine. The brain’s pleasure center records this positive effect, which prompts the person to repeat the alcohol use again.

Over time, this dopamine effect causes altered neural pathways in the brain. These are the connections in the brain, or conduits for transmitting information. The altered pathways are permanent, no matter how many years of sobriety you obtain after you stop drinking. This is why alcohol addiction is permanent. The brain is now permanently hardwired to revert to the compulsive alcohol use. This happens regardless of the presence of new neural pathways that are created in sobriety.

Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder

In many ways, alcohol use disorder is still a mystery. For instance, consider two people with the same drinking habits. Why does one person become alcoholic while the other does not? Science has not revealed the answer as of yet.

The main risk factors that can increase the chances of alcoholism include:

• Drinking alcohol at an early age. Those who start drinking before age fifteen are three times more likely to develop alcohol use disorder in adulthood.
• Family history. Although a specific gene has not yet been identified, it is believed that genetics accounts for about 60% of the risk of developing alcoholism. Growing up in a family where alcohol abuse is prevalent, such as alcoholic parents, is also predictive.
• Mental health. Those with mental health conditions, such as trauma disorder, depression, or anxiety disorder, are more apt to use alcohol to self-medicated. This increases the risk for alcohol use disorder.

Chronic alcohol abuse causes the body to adjust in response to its constant presence. As the body becomes used to the alcohol, tolerance increases. The increased tolerance leads to higher alcohol consumption to achieve the desired effects.

Alcohol addiction occurs when you can no longer control the drinking. Drinking becomes a compulsive habit, driven by strong cravings and a powerful need to drink. Addiction is the most severe stage of alcohol use disorder.

Is alcohol addiction permanent? Yes, it is a permanent condition, however alcohol use disorder can be successfully managed with treatment and support.

Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol use disorder is how the DSM-5 categorizes the full range of alcohol abuse, dependence, and addiction. Using a list of criteria in the form of questions, the clinician stages the severity of the alcohol use disorder. The more of the symptoms present, the more severe the condition.

Here are the DSM-5 questions for staging alcohol use disorder:

• Do you drink more or for a longer period than you intended?
• Do you ever want to drink so badly you cannot think of anything else?
• Have you tried to cut down on alcohol, or stop drinking, but couldn’t?
• Do you have blackouts?
• Do you spend a lot of time drinking, or getting over the effects of drinking?
• Does your drinking prevent you from taking care of your daily responsibilities at home or at work?
• Do you continue to drink even though it is causing distress in your relationships?
• Have you chosen drinking over spending time on activities you used to enjoy?
• Has your drinking caused you to endanger your health or wellbeing through impulsive or reckless actions?
• Do you continue to drink even though it makes you depressed or anxious?
• Do you find yourself drinking more alcohol to get the effects you want?
• Do you have withdrawal symptoms when the effects of the alcohol wear off?

Ways to Treat and Manage Alcohol Addiction

While it’s true that alcohol addiction is a permanent condition, there are effective methods to manage it. The treatment and management of alcoholism requires effort, patience, and lots of support.

There are three main pillars that recovery rests upon: detox, treatment, and aftercare. None of these steps can be skipped if you hope to sustain sobriety and enjoy a fruitful recovery.

1. Detox. Most individuals will need to complete the detox process, during which the body rids itself of any remaining alcohol. This is an uncomfortable process that involves the body and brain attempting to adjust to the absence of alcohol.Withdrawal symptoms range from mild to severe, so the medically trained detox team is focused on relieving pain and discomfort. Detox takes a week to complete on average.
2. Treatment. After detox has been completed, you are ready to begin the treatment phase of recovery. This is an essential step in recovery as it is during treatment that you learn how to control your response to cravings and triggers that could lead to relapse.This is accomplished through a combination of individual and group therapy sessions, psychosocial education, 12-step program elements, holistic methods, and nutrition. Treatment is available in outpatient or inpatient settings, with duration of the program based on the severity of the alcohol addiction.
3. Aftercare. Long-term sobriety will rely on aftercare recovery maintenance actions. These may include medication, ongoing outpatient treatment, sober housing, and social support. Alumni activities and 12-step groups are excellent sources of support, accountability, and fellowship.

Is alcohol addiction permanent? Unfortunately, there is no cure for it, but with a firm commitment to recovery and living a sober lifestyle, you can manage the disorder effectively.

The Treatment Specialist Offers Information and Guidance for Alcohol Addiction

The Treatment Specialist is an online resource for informative articles on mental health conditions and treatment options for adults, teens, and families. If you have a drinking problem and wonder if alcohol addiction is permanent, we can provide the answers. Our team is dedicated to providing hope and guidance to help individuals break free from the grip of addiction. Call us today at Get Help Now.