The development of alcoholic thinking and alcohol consumption is a multifaceted issue, influenced by an intricate interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Research in the field of gene-environment interactions provides insight into how these two elements combine to affect individual health outcomes, including susceptibility to alcohol use disorders (AUDs). A study published in Genes & Immunity suggests that genetic predispositions can interact with environmental exposures to either exacerbate the risk or require a confluence of both factors to increase disease susceptibility, including AUDs.
Moreover, monitoring alcohol content in beverages and choosing to drink in moderation or abstain are personal steps one can take to prevent alcohol misuse. Family dynamics and early life experiences are among the strongest environmental influencers on addictive behavior. Exposure to family members who consume alcohol or encounter stressors related to alcohol can imprint on young individuals, potentially leading to maladaptive coping mechanisms like alcoholic thinking.
Which Comes First? Alcohol Consumption or Alcoholic Thinking
Alcoholism emerges from alcohol abuse, when there’s a pattern of drinking despite negative consequences. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are both categorized as alcohol use disorders—affecting people of all ages and stages of life. The severity of the disorder lies on a spectrum, ranging from mild to severe dependence, also known as chronic alcoholism (although even a mild disorder can spiral out of control without early treatment).
Early Symptoms
Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to aa vs na alcohol use disorder. The pattern of our results suggests that alcohol selectively moderates decision making in the social domain, at least for low-moderate doses of alcohol. This is consistent with existing theory that emphasizes the dual roles of shortsighted information processing and salient social cues in shaping decisions under the influence of alcohol 46. Our findings are obtained in social drinkers without any AUD, but have potentially important implications for attempts to understand the emergence of AUD. Most prior alcohol challenge studies have focused exclusively on personal decision making, but changes in social cognition, ultimately resulting in social marginalization and exclusion, are at the core of the addictive process 57, 58.
There are inpatient and outpatient options, but an addiction specialist should determine the best level of care for you based on your individual needs. Effective addiction treatment providers will have addiction counselors, but they should also have mental health services as many people with alcoholism have co-occurring mental health conditions. The most destructive form of alcoholism is chronic alcoholism, an emotionally, socially and physically devastating disease.
Getting stuck in your brain, negative self-talk or poor impulse control are direct extensions of a brain damaged by excess alcohol, and chances are that if you’re a high-functioning alcoholic, your denial of a drinking problem is, too. FHE offers in-depth, comprehensive alcohol treatment, including medical detoxification, counseling, medications, and aftercare support. Our neuro-rehabilitative treatments can speed the recovery process, by helping to restore brain health for minds ravaged by alcohol. People start drinking for a variety of reasons, but never with the intent of becoming an alcoholic. Once addicted to alcohol, they cannot avoid unbearable withdrawal symptoms when they can’t stay drunk.
Adolescent Alcohol Use Patterns and Transitions
Today, we know that the symptoms of alcoholism can vary from one person to the next. Because the condition is progressive, these symptoms may increase over time in terms of the number of symptoms, their severity, and their impact. While the condition might not develop for several years in some people, it might take only a few months for others. People in the latter category are often genetically predisposed to alcohol use disorder. Research indicates that alcoholics who have not drunk alcohol for several weeks still present some cognitive deficits involving visuospatial, memory, and problem-solving abilities.
While the exact relationship between alcoholic thinking and alcohol consumption remains complex, evidence points to certain cognitive and emotional traits that may exist prior to the onset of AUD. Understanding these traits could be crucial in developing targeted prevention strategies and therapeutic interventions for those at risk of developing AUD. Ultimately, the research suggests that the relationship between alcoholic thinking and alcohol consumption is complex and potentially cyclical, with various factors influencing the directionality of their relationship. This underscores the need for a nuanced approach in prevention and treatment, taking into consideration the individual’s attitudes, social norms, and the possibility of coexisting conditions.
They may have had integrity before their addiction kicked in but it will be conspicuously absent from their lives as they spiral. There is often one exception to this rule for each alcoholic – one thing they do especially well and it will most generally be their sole source of self esteem. We have known a large number of alcoholics who have incredible work ethics because being a good worker is the one thing they know they’re good at…well, they will say that and drinking. For treatment, medications such as naltrexone have shown efficacy in reducing relapse risks in AUD, although their use is not as widespread as it could be due to barriers like non-compliance and concerns about efficacy (source). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) remains a leading choice for addiction treatment, given its evidence-based approach and versatility in addressing the multifaceted nature of AUD (source). Epigenetic mechanisms have been identified as significant contributors in how alcohol can modify gene expression.
- In healthy volunteers, alcohol intake can influence incentive motivation through activation of canonical dopaminergic brain reward system, but these effects vary by gender and genetics 2,3,4,5.
- These alterations can manifest as ‘alcoholic thinking,’ where the brain becomes wired to prioritize alcohol use, affecting decision-making, impulse control, and the ability to manage stress, ultimately influencing a person’s behavior and mental health.
- The suggestion that alcoholic thinking could precede alcohol consumption implies that cognitive distortions and certain psychological traits might predispose an individual to alcohol misuse.
- Experiencing at least two symptoms throughout the course of a year merits a diagnosis, from mild to moderate to severe.
- 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.
- Future exploration of temporal relationships between changes in alcohol-related cognitions and behavioral decision making will be useful in the refinement of effective prevention and intervention strategies.
On one side, Psychology Today notes that alcohol is the most widely consumed drug and its regular use is deeply embedded in many social structures. Yet, the specific effects of alcohol on the brain and behavior are not fully understood by the average person. Alcoholism is a term that is sometimes used to describe what is known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is highly successful in addiction recovery.
