People with alcohol use disorders have trouble controlling their drinking, allowing drinking to control their lives, or continuing to drink even when it causes problems. Also, the disorder is characterized by the need to consume more alcohol to achieve previous effects, as well as withdrawal symptoms when the individual stops drinking or slows down. When alcohol use disorders involve excessive alcohol consumption, it is sometimes referred to as alcoholism.
 
When an individual drinks alcohol unhealthily, it may threaten their safety or health or result in other problems related to alcohol use. An alcohol use disorder is often the result of binge drinking, which is defined as consuming five or more drinks in two hours for men and four or more drinks in two hours for women. Excessive consumption of alcohol can pose significant health and safety risks.
 
It may be indicative of alcohol use disorder to continuously and repetitively drink in spite of mental or physical health problems or with disregard for the problems it causes in social and professional settings. It is not uncommon for alcohol use disorder to begin with mild symptoms and progress to a more serious problem over time. For this reason, it is imperative to seek treatment as soon as possible.

Many factors can contribute to the development of an alcohol use disorder and influence how alcohol affects behavior and the body. These factors include environmental, psychological, social, and genetic factors. It is believed that drinking has stronger effects and more powerful influences on some people than others, which can lead to alcohol use disorders.
 
A person’s capacity to manage their behavior over time can be altered when they consume too much alcohol, which alters the normal functioning of brain regions that are associated with pleasure, judgment, and self-control. Continuous drinking can result in alcohol use disorder when alcohol is used to suppress negative feelings and promote positive experiences, which can lead to the manifestation of cravings over time.

There are a variety of symptoms associated with the consumption of too much alcohol. Several early warning signs and risk factors are associated with alcohol use disorder, including binge drinking in excess regularly or for a long time, mental health problems, depression, beginning drinking early in life, family history, social and cultural factors, a history of trauma, and more.
 
Common symptoms of alcohol use disorder may include slurred speech, defensive behavior, red eyes, coordination problems, loss of interest in hobbies or activities, memory lapses, disregard for personal appearance, frequent mood changes, trouble with work or school, strained social relationships, and more.

Chemicals and processes in the brain are delicately balanced. Due to its depressant properties, alcohol can disrupt this balance, negatively affecting our feelings, thoughts, and actions and occasionally, our long-term mental health. One reason for this is neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that help transmit signals between nerves (or neurons) in the brain. The more alcohol is consumed, the more it impacts brain function.
 
Alcohol has been linked with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Due to the cyclical nature of alcohol’s relationship with these mental health issues, cause and effect can be difficult to determine. Is an individual depressed from the effects of alcohol or do they use alcohol to cope with the effects of depression? It can be difficult to say in many cases, but there is certainly a positive correlation.
 
If you or a loved one is suffering from an alcohol use disorder, Psychiatry Unplugged can help. Reach out to us today so that we can help you on the road to recovery. We have convenient locations to serve you. For more information about our services, call us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Los Angeles CA, Glendale CA, Beverly Hills CA, Santa Monica CA, Hollywood CA, Burbank CA, and Pasadena CA.