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Alcoholism in psychology


Alcoholism | Psychology Today

Alcoholic

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

For many, beer, wine, and spirits conjure up thoughts of social gatherings and tipsy fun. But alcohol is a nervous system depressant and easily alters behavior, culminating in some cases in the emotional pain and physical disintegration of alcohol addiction, colloquially known as alcoholism. Experts continue to debate the benefits and risks of drinking and passionately argue over whether moderation or complete abstinence is the best option for those who struggle with alcoholism.

Alcohol Use Disorder is a pattern of disordered drinking that leads to significant distress. It can involve withdrawal symptoms, disruption of daily tasks, discord in relationships, and risky decisions that place oneself or others in danger. About 15 million American adults and 400,000 adolescents suffer from alcohol use disorder, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. But treatment and support are available to help those suffering begin to heal.

For more information on symptoms, causes, and treatment of alcohol use disorder see our Diagnosis Dictionary.

Contents
  • Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
  • Causes and Risk Factors
  • The Effects of Alcohol
  • Treatment and Recovery
  • Supporting Someone with a Drinking Problem

Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Alcoholism most often refers to alcohol use disorder—a problematic pattern of drinking that leads to impairment or distress—which can be characterized as mild, moderate, or severe based on the number of symptoms a patient has, such as failing to fulfill obligations or developing a tolerance. Mild is classified as 2 to 3 symptoms, moderate is classified as 4 to 5 symptoms, and severe is classified as 6 or more symptoms, according to the DSM-5.

What are the symptoms of alcoholism?

Alcohol use disorder is a problematic pattern of alcohol use that leads to distress in one’s daily life, according to the DSM-5. The symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis include drinking more alcohol than intended, failing to cut back on alcohol use, devoting substantial time and effort to drinking and recovering from drinking, strong cravings for alcohol, failing to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home, disengaging from relationships and activities, and developing tolerance or withdrawal, among others. Experiencing at least two symptoms throughout the course of a year merits a diagnosis, from mild to moderate to severe.

What are early warning signs of addiction?

The later stages of addiction can yield physical changes, but behavioral signs can help detect it early on. People with an addiction often develop rigid routines that revolve around uninterrupted access to alcohol and other drugs; they may be irritated by schedule changes and blame their frustration on others. They may have powerful mood swings that seem to change their personality. Relationships may deteriorate, as their social circle narrows to other drug or alcohol users. Their work may decline as well, and they may lose a spiritual or religious practice they once valued.

Where’s the line between heavy drinking and alcoholism?

If the drinking world is conceptualized as a spectrum, normal social drinking is one on end (a few drinks per month, almost always in a social context) and alcohol use disorder is on the other end. But there’s a large gray area in the middle, in which drinking can cause problems for someone’s health, job, or loved ones, but not to a clinical extent. An example would be a father who falls asleep on the couch after having several drinks three or four days a week, missing out on time with his kids and wife. Another would be a college student who repeatedly has trouble making it to class because she was drunk the night before. These individuals, sometimes called “almost alcoholics,” may not see the connection at first but would often benefit from help and support.

Why does addiction go undiagnosed?

Alcohol use disorder affects millions of people, but it often goes undetected. Substance use frequently co-occurs with mental illness, but some research suggests that psychiatrists only treat addiction for around half of the patients who have both mental illness and substance use problems. This discrepancy highlights the obstacles in addiction care, such as that clinicians may be unaware of the signs of substance use or not want to alienate patients by bringing it up, and patients may not want to reveal their substance use, among other hurdles.

Causes and Risk Factors

Like all addictions, alcohol use disorder is linked to a complex combination of biological, social, and psychological factors. Research highlights a genetic component to the disorder, as about half of one's predisposition to alcoholism can be attributed to genetic makeup. People may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with trauma or other, often unrecognized psychological disorders. Socially, alcoholism may be tied to family dysfunction or a culture of drinking.

Why do people start drinking?

Before it becomes problematic, why do people turn to alcohol in the first place? A number of factors can motivate people to drink. One is simply its rewarding consequences, such as having fun or escaping social anxiety. Having an impulsive personality plays into the decision to seek rewards despite negative repercussions. Another factor is stress, because alcohol can alleviate distressing emotions. Social norms, such as drinking during a happy hour or on a college campus, and positive experiences with alcohol in the past (as opposed to getting nauseous or flushed) play a role as well.

Is alcoholism genetic?

The chance of developing any health problem is related to the genetic code we are born with. Just like some people have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease or cancer, others have a greater risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Someone with a family history of alcohol problems, someone prone to anxiety or depression, someone who is highly impulsive and takes risks, and someone who needs more alcohol than average to experience its effects has a higher likelihood of developing the disorder.

Can childhood experiences lead to alcoholism?

Childhood trauma can fuel problematic drinking in adulthood, because the person might use alcohol to cope with feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, loneliness, or grief. Compared to people without a drinking problem, men and women who sought treatment for alcohol addiction had a higher prevalence of childhood trauma, research finds. Furthermore, the greater the abuse or neglect experienced, the more severe their drinking problem was. Therapy can help people who suffered as a child to address those challenges and develop healthier coping skills.

The Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol is a powerful substance, with the capacity for positive experiences, such as bursts of creativity and fun, as well as harmful repercussions, such as addiction and health problems. Becoming dependent on alcohol can lead to challenges for both the mind and the body.

What does alcohol do to the brain?

Heavy drinking can fuel changes in the brain—about half of people who meet the criteria for alcoholism show problems with thinking or memory, research suggests. The ability to plan ahead, learn and hold information (like a phone number or shopping list), withhold responses as needed, and work with spatial information (such as using a map) can be affected. Brain structures can shift as well, particularly in the frontal lobes, which are key for planning, making decisions, and regulating emotions. But many people in recovery show improvements in memory and concentration, even within the first month of sobriety.

Does alcohol affect creativity?

The idea that altered forms of consciousness such as mania or alcohol can enhance creativity is a popular belief. And it turns out there’s some evidence for that idea. Researchers found that participants who had a few drinks were better and faster at creative problem solving than their sober counterparts. The reason may be that alcohol tamps down working memory and therefore sparks people to think outside the box.

How does alcohol affect mood?

As anyone who has had even a glass of wine can attest, alcohol can have a noticeable influence on mood. Drinking releases endorphins which can lead people to feel happy, energized, and excited. But alcohol is also classified as a depressant and can cause fatigue, restlessness, and depression. It may shift from stimulant to sedative in line with whether blood alcohol content is rising or falling. Given the power of alcohol on the brain, people who drink heavily may come to rely on it to regulate their mood.

What are the health consequences of heavy drinking?

One recent analysis found a sobering relationship between alcohol and health. People who drank seven to 14 alcoholic drinks a week lowered their life expectancy by about six months, people who drank 14 to 24 drinks a week lowered their life expectancy by one to two years, and consuming more than 24 drinks a week lowered life expectancy by four to five years. Alcohol consumption was also linked to a greater risk for stroke, coronary disease, heart failure, and fatally high blood pressure. However, it’s difficult to discern if drinking was the primary problem, or whether lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise influenced health outcomes as well.

Treatment and Recovery

In some cases, the first step in treating alcohol use disorder is detoxification—experiencing withdrawal in a safe setting with medical professionals. Following withdrawal, there are many paths to recovery.

Some people are able to stop drinking on their own. There are many organized programs that provide the support of peers, usually through frequent meetings. Alcoholics Anonymous is one example; it offers a structured 12-step path toward recovery with a community of support from those who have dealt with similar challenges.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is another path, available in person or online. Non-abstinence-based recovery models—such as Moderation Management—advocate for reducing one's alcohol consumption rather than abstaining completely.

The biggest barrier to therapy of any kind that patients may face is shame and stigma; most programs address such concerns directly.

What steps can I take to curb my drinking on my own?

Some people prefer to try cutting back or quitting on their own before committing time and money to rehab. And there are a few approaches that can identify and combat drinking at an early stage. People can focus on education and support, such as through Alcoholics Anonymous, or take on a sobriety challenge. People can learn mindfulness; rather than trying to soothe uncomfortable feelings with alcohol, mindfulness encourages techniques such as breathing, visualization, and meditation.

In a clinical setting, motivational interviewing, which cultivates the drive to change behaviors, and Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral, and Treatment (SBIRT), which funnels patients to treatment, are also helpful options.

What should I look for in an addiction treatment center?

A few empirically validated practices can help identify strong treatment programs. Treatment centers should ideally have rigorous and reliable screening for substance use disorders and related conditions. They should have an integrated treatment approach that addresses other mental and physical health conditions. They should emphasize linking different phases of care, such as connecting patients to mental health professionals, housing, and peer support groups when transitioning out of the acute phase of care. They should also have proactive strategies to avoid dropping out, involve the family in treatment, employ qualified and certified staff, and be accredited by an external regulatory organization.

Find a treatment center using the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.

Does Alcoholics Anonymous work?

Alcoholics Anonymous is a decades-old treatment, but one that research shows is effective. A recent review found that Alcoholics Anonymous led to higher rates of abstinence from alcohol long term compared to other treatments. One of the key reasons, according to the data, is that people continue to participate for years after they have completed the 12-step program. AA is not for everyone and there are plenty of different treatment options, but it can be successful and meaningful for those who choose it.

What are the critiques of Alcoholics Anonymous?

Does moderation rather than abstention work?

Some people may be hesitant to seek treatment because they don’t want to abstain entirely. Moderation management or moderation treatment can be an effective approach, in which people learn responsible drinking habits through a structured program. Research suggests this form of treatment can help people shift from heavy to moderate drinking, improve quality of life, and enhance emotional well-being.

Can ketamine treat alcohol use disorder?

For the past several years, evidence has been growing that ketamine might help those with severe depression. Research has also targeted ketamine’s effect on substance and alcohol use: One recent study found that the combination of ketamine and motivational enhancement therapy had higher rates of abstinence, longer time to relapse, and fewer days of heavy drinking than people who received a control (midazolam). Another found that ketamine could effectively interfere in creating alcohol-related memories.

What does it mean to be in recovery from alcohol use disorder?

The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines recovery as “an active process of continual growth that addresses the biological, psychological, social and spiritual disturbances inherent in addiction.” SAMHSA defines it as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” As popular opinion about the nature of addiction shifts from a moral failing to a health issue, that conversation should incorporate recovery as well, and the many forms of treatment available to get there.

How can people in recovery avoid relapsing?

Relapses are very common, especially in the first year of sobriety. Slips can be fueled by withdrawal symptoms, mental health challenges, and drug-related cues, such as spending time with old drinking partners or visiting old drinking locations. Triggers become engrained in addiction, so it’s valuable to recognize these cues, avoid them, and replace them with new behaviors, such as calling a sponsor or loved one when craving alcohol, which can help avoid a relapse.

What helps ensure a long-term recovery?

In addition to ongoing mental health support, enhancing an individual’s “recovery resources” is also important. Providing education, job training and employment connections, supportive housing, physical activity, and social integration in families and the community can all help individuals stay in remission. Research in animals shows that having more self-determination and control over one’s environment can help facilitate adaptive brain changes after ending substance use.

Supporting Someone with a Drinking Problem

The pathway to healing and recovery is often a process that occurs over many years. Addiction not only involves the individual suffering, but their partner, their family, and their friends as well. Loved ones can provide immeasurable support, but they almost take care of themselves throughout an often difficult journey.

Why do people deny they have an alcohol problem?

Very few people easily and quickly accept the conclusion that they have a problem. Most struggle against it and craft a variety of arguments to demonstrate that they don’t have a problem. These arguments often rely on misdirection—moving the focus onto someone or something else.

A few common arguments to deny an alcohol problem include: “All my friends drink more than I do,” “I only drink when…,” “But I’m too functional,” “I haven’t hit rock bottom like so and so...,” and “I’ve stopped for long periods of time before.” Recognizing these misleading statements can be the first step in having an honest conversation and helping the person eventually explore treatment.

What do I do if I think someone has a drinking problem?

If you’re concerned that a friend or family member is misusing alcohol, you can begin by doing research. Learn about the nature of the disorder, terms that reduce stigma (avoid “alcoholic”), and different treatment options. Carefully consider when and how you’ll talk to them; for example, bringing it up while they’re intoxicated risks an overly emotional and negative response. Rehearse what you plan to say. Frame the conversation as worry and care for the person. Offer to help them deal with what might be driving their drinking, and volunteer to take concrete steps with them like calling a therapist for a consultation. (Of course, if someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or seek medical attention.)

How can I support a loved one in recovery?

Loved ones are an integral part of the addiction recovery process, but they need to balance their own needs in addition to providing support. To do that, they can set boundaries around their emotional, physical, and financial relationship, for example that the house will remain an alcohol-free zone. They can research alcoholism to understand the underpinnings of the disorder, the signs of an overdose, and other important information. They can discuss co-occurring mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. They can seek help from peer support groups and mental health professionals as well.

Can I drink around someone who is sober?

It can be difficult to know whether or not to abstain from alcohol to support a loved one in recovery. Treatment settings teach patients to cope with the realities of an alcohol-infused world. Just like any other illness, it is ultimately the responsibility of the individual to learn how to manage it. However, loved ones often want to help, such as by showing solidarity or hosting a gathering that feels safe for their loved one. Whenever possible, it’s best to have an open, respectful, and direct conversation with the individual in recovery, and ask how they feel about alcohol being present. Doing this in advance will allow time for both people to process the discussion and set clear expectations.

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  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

    Also visit the online treatment locator.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.

The service is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

English and Spanish are available if you select the option to speak with a national representative. Currently, the 435748 (HELP4U) text messaging service is only available in English.

In 2020, the Helpline received 833,598 calls. This is a 27 percent increase from 2019, when the Helpline received a total of 656,953 calls for the year.

The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.

The service is confidential. We will not ask you for any personal information. We may ask for your zip code or other pertinent geographic information in order to track calls being routed to other offices or to accurately identify the local resources appropriate to your needs.

No, we do not provide counseling. Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support.

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    It's Not Your Fault (NACoA) (PDF | 12 KB)
    Assures teens with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs that, "It's not your fault!" and that they are not alone. Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen, and provides a resource list.

    After an Attempt: A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member After Treatment in the Emergency Department
    Aids family members in coping with the aftermath of a relative's suicide attempt. Describes the emergency department treatment process, lists questions to ask about follow-up treatment, and describes how to reduce risk and ensure safety at home.

    Family Therapy Can Help: For People in Recovery From Mental Illness or Addiction
    Explores the role of family therapy in recovery from mental illness or substance abuse. Explains how family therapy sessions are run and who conducts them, describes a typical session, and provides information on its effectiveness in recovery.

    For additional resources, please visit the SAMHSA Store.

Last Updated: 08/30/2022

Alcoholism and human psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF ALCOHOLISM

Constant abuse of alcoholic beverages has a detrimental effect on the state of the human body. This applies to the physical picture and to the psychological portrait of the alcoholic. Being under the colossal influence of the “green snake”, people who were once different in profession, social status, temperament become similar to each other. This fact is explained by the process of leveling personality. Looking at the big picture, people suffering from alcoholism have the following characteristics:

  • denial of his own illness: never in his life does an alcoholic admit the fact that he is not healthy and needs help, even if he is at the stage of the strongest binge, in a state of serious intoxication;
  • selfishness and excessive egocentrism - in this situation, the behavior of a sick person has much in common with the behavior of a child (I do what I want, no one orders me), in addition, the alcoholic does not perceive his relatives and friends as associates, rather, on the contrary, considers them enemies and in the end remains alone;
  • inconsistency - sick people do not have any logical consistency in their judgments: today they are ready to "quit", and tomorrow they get drunk to unconsciousness;
  • passivity and apathy: traditionally drunkards are not interested in the outside world, and sometimes they are no longer interested in their own affairs in the family, career, home.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ALCOHOLISM?

The psychology of alcoholism is such that its causes are different depending on the sex and age of the patient. But there are a few common factors.

  1. Physiological. These may include insufficient production of the hormone of joy - dopamine. When a person takes on the chest, this substance increases in him, which makes him take up the glass again and again in order to experience the pleasant sensations of euphoria and pleasure. Age also plays a role: the earlier drinking was started, the greater the chance that the disease became chronic.
  2. Traumatic brain injury. If the patient suffered from such phenomena, he also runs the risk of falling ill with this disease and finding the need for its prompt treatment.
  3. Genetic predisposition. Scientists have already proved the fact that in a family where both parents systematically indulged in alcoholic beverages, the child has all the “chances” of becoming an alcoholic, and they increase 5 times compared to ordinary families. Of particular importance in this case is the socio-psychological factor, when the child has not seen another, sober life, and believes that the actions of drinking parents are quite normal and adequate.
  4. Social factors. This group is especially widespread in our country. This also includes bright inviting advertising of beer, vodka, cognac, wine. Of course, one should not lose sight of the widespread availability of alcoholic beverages, feasts for any reason and without them.

According to gender and age characteristics, the causative factor of alcoholism can be male, female and, unfortunately, childish. The cause of alcoholism, psychology in this case, each has its own. The main factors that entail the formation of this disease are as follows:

Male disease and its prerequisites

As practical statistics show, men suffer from this disease much more often than the fair sex and children. And there are several reasons for this.

    1. Hard work with lots of stress. At first, alcoholic drinks are perceived as one of the options for relieving stress after a hard day's work. Very quickly, a man gets used to this state of affairs and can no longer relieve stress without a bottle of beer or something stronger.
    2. Poverty. This is a serious factor leading to alcoholism. If a man does not have a favorite pastime, a good job that would bring income and allow him to support his family, he begins to turn to the bottle for “understanding”. And if all this is accompanied by a lack of support from the spouse, then instead of solving problems, a man prefers to drown them out with a certain dose of alcohol.
    3. Shyness and tightness of character. If a man has some kind of complexes, and parental attitudes say that you need to “be a real man”, strong, courageous, courageous, the young man begins to abuse strong drinks from an early age, thinking that this will help him meet the set bar. After all, many people know that alcohol allows you to get rid of complexes, untie your tongue, become more liberated.

  1. Trauma of a psychological nature. Men are much less adaptable to life's difficulties than women. The loss of a loved one, trouble at work - all this can serve as a reason for another escape from reality into a drunken stupor, while there is no development, and the man embarks on the path of degradation.
  2. Dominance of the wife in the family. If a man is deprived of his own living space and cannot be realized as a person and as the head of the family, this becomes a reason for depression, which causes anger, aggression, which the man tries to “drown” in a bottle.

Such is the psychology of alcoholism in a man. To get rid of this condition, it is necessary, first of all, to provide a comfortable microclimate in the family and at work, and then work with a psychologist and narcologist.

Peculiarities of women's alcoholism

Despite the fact that representatives of the weaker sex become alcoholics much less often, they get drunk much faster. From the position of psychology, the prerequisites for female illness lie in the emotional sphere. Among the main factors in connection with which a woman begins to drink, the following aspects can be distinguished.

  1. Treason of a loved one, betrayal, divorce proceedings with a spouse.
  2. Lack of feminine beauty, inability to present oneself, unattractiveness.
  3. Depression of any origin - postpartum withdrawal from reality, premenstrual syndrome, menopause.
  4. Physical loss of an important person - spouse, parents, child, boyfriend/girlfriend.
  5. Inappropriate and inappropriate social circle in which a woman has to drink "for the company."
  6. Loneliness, feeling of uselessness, lack of life purpose and distortion of moral values.

Women rarely drink too much, starting with alcohol or vodka. Usually, everything they do is tied up with noble drinks - wine, a light cocktail, champagne, which does not change the overall picture at all: sooner or later, the fair sex takes the path of degradation and loses herself as a person. The psychology of female alcoholism is such that a young lady who drinks can see a doctor only at an advanced stage of the disease, and even then not always. It becomes much more difficult for a psychologist to work with such patients.

Children's alcoholism

The main group of factors that cause teenagers to start drinking are social and psychological factors. Basically, they include the following nuances.

  1. Lack of necessary adult supervision.
  2. The presence of one or more drinking family members.
  3. Excessive pressure and guardianship from the father or mother.
  4. An attempt at realization in the eyes of peer friends.

Psychological support in this case should be started at the initial stage of the disease, because children and adolescents usually become drunk much faster than adults. This is the nature of this disease.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PORTRAIT OF ALCOHOLIC

There are several factors according to which the patient has all the risks of getting this disease.

Irresponsibility

In this case, the alcoholic does not have the desire to be responsible for his own actions and seeks to escape from the problematic reality.

Inability to withstand difficulties

Absolutely every person faces problems. Many people do not want to overcome them and want to get away from them in such a harmful way.

Insufficiently high self-esteem

It consists in the inability to express one's own feelings.

Striving for improvement

Such people must definitely undergo treatment, which consists of qualified psychological assistance and support.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSEQUENCES OF ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE.

Many people believe that drinking a glass or another “for mood” is not such a big crime against health, and the facts indicate that after the first two glasses (glasses) a person feels good and comfortable, a pleasant feeling of inner warmth immediately rolls over , and the mood becomes elated, I want to joke and chat about everything in the world, even with unfamiliar people. However, very little time comes - and a good mood is replaced by resentment and aggressiveness, coordination of movements is disturbed, and a person’s speech becomes slurred after a few minutes, and the reason for this behavior is alcohol, which has a detrimental effect on the nervous system even in small doses.

Under the influence of alcohol, voluntary movements are disturbed, a person loses the ability to control himself, loses restraint, modesty, he says and does things that he would never say and would not do, being sober.

Scientists all over the world unanimously say: "The destroyed (even the smallest) part of the brain cannot be restored."

The damaged part of the brain is replaced by a scar (connective tissue), and the resulting void is filled by displacement of neighboring, preserved areas of the brain. This means that by those 14-17 billion. brain neurons that have formed in a person at the time of his birth, not a single neuron will be added for the rest of his life.

Alcohol intoxication is currently the main cause of mass death of human neurons.

Thrombosis of the vessels of the circulatory system of the brain, accompanying microstrokes (small hemorrhages) and metabolic disorders in neurons lead to the death of a large number of cells in all parts of the brain.

The accumulation of such damage as more and more doses of alcohol enter the body leads to disruption of the functions of the central nervous system and even to its organic changes.

The brain of an alcoholic decreases in volume, a new relief appears on its surface: the brain seems to wrinkle.

The death of neurons as a result of thrombosis and microstrokes in the cerebral cortex leads to the loss of part of the information and to impaired short-term memory.

A person's normal accumulation of life experience, improvement of his professional skills, forms of social behavior, enrichment of shades of relationships that connect him with close people are disturbed.

People who use alcohol more or less systematically develop a certain type of behavior, which psychologists call “alcohol automatism”.

It manifests itself in the fact that a person loses his biologically inherent need to constantly look for something new, to invent ever more perfect forms of activity and communication with other people. Such people are quite satisfied with the repetition day after day, year after year of the same standard actions, thoughts, words.

In chronic alcoholism, the processes leading to memory impairment sometimes go so far that they lead to an almost complete loss of the ability to remember recent events, just perceived information.

The systematic use of alcoholic beverages is accompanied by impoverishment of speech, a decrease in the active vocabulary; the ability to operate with words, to build phrases on them, is difficult. All these factors lead to a decrease in the level of communication, to the actual social isolation of a person who abuses alcohol. Contacts with other people are becoming more and more primitive.

The words “interlocutor” and “drinking buddy”, as the amount of alcohol consumed increases, come closer, eventually becoming synonyms.

Meaningful human communication, in which people exchange the new things that they managed to learn, see, invent, degrades to communication "for three".

Many other disorders of a person's mental activity under the influence of alcohol are also found: the sharpness of tactile perception (touch), hearing sharpness decreases, visual motor activity decreases.

There is no such function of the brain or nervous system in general, which would not be oppressed under the influence of alcohol. Instead of the natural desire for a person to find a solution to the problem that he encountered at work or in his personal life, the drinking person leaves it, clouding his mind with alcohol.

The systematic use of alcohol leads to a deep and comprehensive degradation of the personality.

The extreme degree of processes occurring in the brain as a result of constant exposure to alcohol is encephalopathy. This is a brain lesion that develops as a result of oxygen starvation of brain cells and circulatory disorders. The longer the experience of drinking alcohol in a person, the higher the likelihood of developing encephalopathy. The brain of an alcoholic is like a battlefield; he is covered with necrotic areas, which mean only one thing: serious disturbances in the functioning of the brain. With the development of alcoholism, it becomes increasingly difficult for a person to perform ordinary tasks, especially if he is engaged in mental work. Memory, rationality, logic, speed of thought, the ability to generate ideas - all these essential qualities of a healthy brain weaken and come to naught.

If your family has such a problem and a loved one shows symptoms of alcoholism, seek help at regional narcological dispensary in Mogilev

address: lane 4th Mechnikova / 17

registry: (8 - 0222) - 63 - 06 - 65)

hotline: (8 - 0222) - 75 - 25 - 40

where you will be provided with narcological, psychological, psychotherapeutic assistance.

Alcoholism in terms of psychology: causes, features, symptoms

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Men's disease and its causes

As practical statistics show, men suffer from this disease significantly more often than the fair sex and children. And there are several causal explanations for this .

  1. Hard work accompanied by a lot of stress . At first, alcoholic drinks are perceived as one of the options for relieving stress after a hard day's work. Very quickly, a man gets used to this state of affairs and can no longer relieve stress without a bottle of beer or something stronger.
  2. Poverty . This is a serious factor leading to alcoholism. If a man does not have a favorite pastime, a good job that would bring income and allow him to support his family, he begins to turn to the bottle for “understanding”. And if all this is accompanied by a lack of support from the spouse, then instead of solving problems, a man prefers to drown them out with a certain dose of alcohol.
  3. Shyness and stiffness of character. If a man has some kind of complexes, and parental attitudes say that you need to “be a real man”, strong, courageous, courageous, the young man begins to abuse strong drinks from an early age, thinking that this will help him meet the set bar. After all, many people know that alcohol allows you to get rid of complexes, untie your tongue, become more liberated.
  4. Psychological trauma . Men are much less adaptable to life's difficulties than women. The loss of a loved one, trouble at work - all this can serve as a reason for another escape from reality into a drunken stupor, while there is no development, and the man embarks on the path of degradation.
  5. Spouse dominance in the family. If a man is deprived of his own living space and cannot be realized as a person and as the head of the family, this becomes a reason for depression, which causes anger, aggression, which the man tries to “drown” in a bottle.

Such is the psychology of alcoholism in a man. To get rid of this condition, it is necessary, first of all, to provide a comfortable microclimate in the family and at work, and then work with a psychologist and develop a course of treatment.

Features of the course of female alcoholism

Despite the fact that representatives of the weaker sex become alcoholics much less often, they drink themselves much faster . From the position of psychology, the prerequisites for female illness lie in the emotional sphere. Among the main factors in connection with which a woman begins to drink, the following aspects can be distinguished.

  1. Treason of a loved one, betrayal , divorce proceedings with a spouse.
  2. Lack of feminine beauty, inability to present oneself, unattractiveness .
  3. Depression , which has any genesis - postpartum escape from reality, premenstrual syndrome, menopause.
  4. Physical loss of an important person - spouse, parents, child, boyfriend/girlfriend.
  5. Inappropriate and unsuitable social circle in which a woman has to drink "for the company."
  6. Loneliness, feeling of uselessness , lack of life purpose and distortion of moral values.

Women rarely drink too much, starting with alcohol or vodka. Usually everything is tied with noble drinks - wine, a light cocktail, champagne, which does not change the overall picture at all: sooner or later the fair sex takes the path degrades and loses himself as a person. The psychology of female alcoholism is such that a young lady who drinks can see a doctor only at an advanced stage of the disease, and even then not always. It becomes much more difficult for a psychologist to work with such patients .

Children's alcoholism

The main group of factors in connection with which teenagers begin to drink - social and psychological moments. Basically, they include the following nuances.

  1. No adult supervision required.
  2. Presence of one or more drinking family members .
  3. Excessive pressure and guardianship from the father or mother.
  4. An attempt to implement in the eyes of peer friends.

Psychological support in this case should be started at the initial stage of the disease, because children and adolescents usually become drunk much faster than adults. This is the nature of this disease.

Psychological portrait of an alcoholic

There are several factors, according to which the patient has all the risks of getting this disease.

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