When people have their first drink in their life, they think of it as a milestone. It is a social landmark and an identifier that you are an adult who has turned 21. People drink while they are out, and people enjoy alcohol. However, it is essential to know how it affects you.
Alcohol Addiction can happen through binge drinking and being unaware of your limits and consuming too much alcohol. However, for some people, there is a higher chance of addiction. Some people may be predisposed to alcoholism.
Alcohol use disorder affects 15 million people in the United States, and it can happen to anyone. People with a predisposition, though, are more likely to become addicted to alcohol. Binge drinking means you consume a lot of alcohol at one time or many times during the week. Someone with alcohol use disorder is more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when they don’t have alcohol if you have these or similar symptoms than you may be at risk of alcohol abuse disorder.
Children learn about alcoholism through their families. Kids who grow up in this kind of environment may be more likely to become alcoholics in the future. Kids who are exposed continuously to alcoholism might see it as a suitable coping method, or a regular activity. It may not even be intentional, but children often mimic what their parents or guardians do.
Kids from alcoholic households are also more likely to start drinking from an early age. They learn from the adults in their life, and they may try to copy and emulate their actions at a young age. If this happens, then children may not develop properly as alcohol can negatively affect their health. It is essential to be cautious when drinking around your children if they are not aware of the effects of alcohol cause. 7.1 million young people confirmed that they drink more than a few mouthfuls of alcohol. These children may have learned from their guardians that drinking alcohol is okay. Parents and schools need to educate children about alcohol abuse for them to make smart decisions. They need to know that they may affect their development when they try to copy their family.
Genetics can also factor in alcoholism. There has not been a single gene connected to alcohol abuse disorder, but it can affect which drugs you can take to help with recovery. This is part of learning your medical history. Finding out if your parents suffered from alcoholism can help you seak the best treatment for you. It is good to be aware if you are predisposed to alcohol. Drinking if you are predisposed to alcohol abuse disorder puts your health more at risk because you are more likely to become addicted.
If you or your family have suffered from alcohol abuse disorder, be aware of children who may learn from those actions. Underage drinking affects many children across the nation. Many children under the age of 15 have had at least one drink. These children are also more likely to binge drink as they copy the adults around them.
There are specific things to look out for if you or someone you know is at risk of alcohol use disorder. Watch out for binge drinking as drinking more than the recommended limit for alcohol can lead to addiction. Many people will drink large amounts of alcohol at one time instead of regularly, but that can still lead to alcoholism. In the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health surveyors found that 139.8 million Americans over the age of 12 drank alcohol. They then found that 16.6 million people within the past month were heavy drinkers.
Another sign that could mean someone is dealing with alcohol abuse disorder is the way they are acting. If they are not functioning normally, or if you notice their work has been affected. This may be through not showing up to work, coming to events intoxicated. Or it could mean that they cannot function without alcohol in their system. If you notice any of the above, then they may be having issues with alcohol. If someone’s life needs to have alcohol to function, later, they have grown a dependence. When this starts to happen, the next important step is to get help from a professional.
There are a few things that can be done if you find that you or someone you care about is dealing with alcohol abuse disorder. If they are young and underage, try to talk to them and educate them on what underage drinking can do to their development physically and mentally. Giving people the tools to make their own informed decision will help them avoid alcoholism in the future.
Education at any age can help people learn about alcoholism. Inform people of the research going into alcohol abuse disorder. New treatments are coming out that can help people overcome abuse. Even doing a web search to help someone find the right treatment for them can get someone the assistance that they need.
Finding help for yourself or someone you know starts with reaching out. Trying to overcome addiction is better when you have friends and family. Build a support network, so you have people to talk to while things get tough. Going thrown withdrawal will be better when you have someone by your side, encouraging you.
If you are not sure where to start, that is okay! Addiction can be terrifying, and if you are not sure how to help a loved one or yourself reaching out to professional help is the best thing to do. Talking to trained medical professionals can help you create a treatment plan that works for you.
For people in the Medford New JErsey area, Pinelands Medical Center has some of the best treatment. They have professionals who know how to treat people predisposed to alcohol abuse disorder through family and genetics. There are inpatient and outpatient treatment plans available so you can find the best option that works for you and your loved ones. It is never too late to reach out for help, contact Pinelands