Alcoholism and Mental Health: Understanding the Connection

Alcoholism, as with all addictive disorders, can be devastating to an individual. The long-term abuse of alcohol will harm a person on multiple levels. With nearly 15 million adults dependent on alcohol, this disorder impacts a large portion of the population.

Significance

• Alcoholism, as with many addictions, can have devastating effects on a person socially, psychologically and physically. Therefore it is important to detect addictions early to minimize the damage.

Symptoms

• The hallmark symptom of alcoholism is a strong desire to use the substance without success in cutting back. A great deal of time is committed to obtain and use alcohol, at the cost of relationships.

Treatment

• A popular treatment is group therapy. This allows for social interaction, which may have been lost due to the illness, to reassert itself in the person's life and make it easier to become sober.

Diathesis-Stress

• There is a strong genetic element to alcoholism; however, having a familial predisposition is not the only factor. Social and environmental stress will exacerbate the disorder.

Long-Term Effects

• Long-term abuse of alcohol can impact an individual in multiple manners. Physical damage to the liver, brain and sexual function can occur. Moreover, personal relationships may be lost.