Is Alcoholism Considered a Mental Illness?

Content

The Addiction Cycle
Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Psychotic Disorders

The wide availability of alcohol leads to its common use with other substances–legal and illegal. More than 47% of women with AUD and more than 40% of men have had another SUD in their lifetime. Sadly, the co-use of drugs and alcohol also increases the probability and severity of overdose.

is alcoholism considered a mental illness

With AUD the brain loses the ability to distinguish between dopamine rewards for healthy behavior and rewards for drug or alcohol use, leading to increased substance abuse. Someone with bipolar disorder has an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder like alcoholism. These conditions are dangerous when they co-occur, as alcohol can worsen symptoms of bipolar disorder. Depression is a type of mental health disorder that causes a consistently negative outlook. With co-occurring disorders, the symptoms of both disorders can exacerbate psychiatric, medical, and family issues. Alcohol use may worsen as the co-occurring mental illness symptoms intensify, and as the symptoms intensify, more alcohol may be used to alleviate them.

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For prompt, professional and confidential advice, to address your addiction-related issues. Additionally, by this point, the brain is so convinced that it needs alcohol just to function properly that when there isn’t any alcohol in the body, the brain thinks something is wrong. For example, a 2018 study found that light drinkers (those consuming one to three drinks per week) had lower rates of cancer or death than those drinking less than one drink per week or none at all.

The Addiction Cycle

No matter how specialists classify it, though, it is a serious condition that often requires intervention and ongoing care. Alcohol addiction treatment programs are typically the first step in a person’s recovery journey, especially for those with co-occurring disorders. Substance abuse treatment for addiction is personalized and can include various approaches, with treatments such as medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapies, and support groups. At SCRC, an all-male outpatient treatment center in San Diego, our health care providers focus on offering a supportive environment for recovery while allowing clients to maintain their daily responsibilities. In short, the need for addictive substances becomes hardwired in the brain, to the point that the brain can’t distinguish between healthy rewards and drug rewards.

Mental illnesses can exacerbate substance use disorders, and substance use disorders can contribute to the development of mental illnesses. For example, people may drink because they are depressed (to relieve symptoms of mental health disorders). On the other hand, excessive drinking may exacerbate depression or anxiety symptoms. When a mental health problem is ignored, the drug or alcohol addiction can worsen.

Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Still, the likelihood of recovery from both disorders is greater if both the AUD and mental health issues are treated together. There are many factors that contribute to mental health disorders, including biological factors like chemical imbalances in the brain. Alcohol addiction may also be rooted in changes in the brain, as well as other causes. Since alcoholism is both a physical and mental issue, treatment will focus on both the physical and mental aspects of addiction and recovery. At Northern Illinois Recovery Center, we offer treatments for co-occurring disorders such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association formally recognized substance use disorder, such as alcoholism, as a mental health disorder.

is alcoholism considered a mental illness

Treatment Approaches for Alcoholism and Mental Illness

In some cases, depression may be a risk factor for later developing an alcohol use disorder. In other cases, a person may develop depression as a result of the physical and social consequences linked to alcohol misuse. Experiencing prolonged alcoholism without treatment increases your risk of developing depression. Alcoholism is a complex disorder that not only affects your physical health but also takes a toll on your mental well-being. When alcohol is abused over a long period, it can disrupt the balance of chemicals in your brain, leading to changes in mood and emotions. To combat this stigma, it’s crucial to educate the public about the true nature of alcoholism and mental illness.

To effectively address alcoholism and mental illness, you need to explore various treatment approaches.
A person in the problematic stage of AUD may begin to struggle at work because of their drinking, experience problems in their relationships, and spend most of their time drinking.
He works with patients suffering from Substance Use Disorder to evaluate their medication needs and prescribe treatments accordingly.
Having a drink while getting together with family or friends is often part of many special occasions.
They may use alcohol to numb emotional distress, ease stress, or alleviate symptoms of their mental health condition.

The relationship between depression and alcoholism is complex and bidirectional. Some individuals may turn to alcohol as a means of self-medicating their depressive symptoms, while others may develop depression as a consequence of their alcohol abuse. Regardless Alcohol Use Disorder of the causal relationship, addressing both the alcoholism and the depression is crucial for successful recovery. One of the key symptoms of alcoholism is the inability to control or limit alcohol consumption. This can lead to excessive drinking, even when there are negative consequences such as health issues, relationship problems, or legal troubles. Another common symptom is a strong craving or compulsion to drink, where the individual may feel a constant need for alcohol to function or cope with daily life.

It has previously been categorized as a personality disorder, but in the 3rd edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it was identified as a mental health disorder. As a result, alcoholism is recognized as a mental illness by both the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. An alcohol use disorder is listed as a condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). An alcohol use disorder causes changes in the brain and leads to changes in behavior, both of which make it reasonable to classify alcohol use disorder as a mental illness.

is alcoholism considered a mental illness

While it might not come with some of the same red flags as other mental health conditions, alcoholism is considered a mental illness.
It’s important to seek help and treatment for alcoholism to mitigate these potential long-term effects on your mental well-being.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey towards recovery is unique and what works for one person may not work for another.

Relapse is a common part of the recovery process in both chronic medical disease and alcoholism. Like other chronic diseases, addiction can be managed successfully, but it may involve multiple attempts at treatment to achieve and maintain abstinence. Relapse does not mean failure but indicates the need for revised management of the person or condition. The production of this chemical often reinforces behaviors, both healthy and unhealthy. If the result of a particular behavior is a rush of dopamine, the person exhibiting the behavior is likely to repeat it to feel that rush.