Humans have consumed alcohol for thousands of years, and while it’s true that everyone can enjoy a drink under certain circumstances, this consumption can become dangerous to a person’s health, notes Dr. Dení Álvarez Icaza, psychiatry specialist at ABC Medical Center.
This condition used to be referred to as alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, but the correct term today is alcohol use disorder.
Mexico’s Ministry of Health reports that, according to the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT), the average age of first alcohol consumption in Mexico is 16.7 for men and 19.2 for women.
Alcohol use disorder is a health condition in which a person has difficulty moderating or reducing their alcohol consumption, regardless of whether it has already begun to cause negative consequences for their health, work, or personal life.
When discussing alcohol use disorder, it’s important to understand that this isn’t a matter of willpower or personal character, since, like other substances with addictive potential, alcohol can actually change how the brain functions.
Under certain circumstances, such as frequent or heavy drinking, combined with genetic predisposition, alcohol can alter brain function to the point where it no longer operates the same way without the substance.
Dr. Álvarez notes some warning signs that can be linked to alcohol use disorder:
- Difficulty controlling consumption: this can show up as an increase in the amount or frequency of drinking, or repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back.
- Social functioning can be affected by alcohol use, negatively impacting the person’s social life, schoolwork, or job performance.
- The person may also begin engaging in risky behaviors influenced by alcohol, such as driving under the influence or continuing to drink despite developing health problems.
- Finally, someone with alcohol use disorder may notice increased tolerance, meaning they need more alcohol over time to feel the same effects they once felt with smaller amounts; they may also experience withdrawal, a set of very uncomfortable physical symptoms that occur when someone stops drinking.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing this disorder, including frequency, amount of alcohol consumed, and genetic factors. Other circumstances can also contribute, for example, starting to drink before age 18 has been shown to significantly increase the likelihood of developing a drinking problem later on. Stress and life experiences, especially during childhood and adolescence, can also increase a person’s vulnerability.
Finally, it’s important to understand that although men develop this disorder more frequently, it’s becoming increasingly common among women as well, who, in addition to the usual challenges associated with the disorder, face certain specific health risks, notes Dr. Álvarez.
While this condition is particularly common among younger people, most serious complications, including fatal ones, tend to occur in people over 60.
If you notice one or more signs associated with alcohol use disorder, either in yourself or someone you know, it’s recommended to seek specialized medical care before it puts the person’s health at further risk.
At ABC Medical Center’s Neurology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
