People who misuse alcohol may also experience symptoms of anxiety and anxiety disorders. Research has found a strong correlation between anxiety and alcohol use.1 In this article: What Is Anxiety? How Is Alcohol Used as a Coping Mechanism for Anxiety? How Does Alcohol Cause Anxiety Can Alcohol Addiction and Anxiety Disorders Occur Together? What Is…
Lying is a common symptom of addiction.1 People living with addiction often lie to themselves, their families, or their medical team. Learn more about the relationship between lying and addiction and find out ten reasons why people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may lie. In this article: Why Do Alcoholics Lie About Drinking? Does Lying…
Depression and alcohol addiction often co-occur.1 The mental health condition of major depression can occur before, during, or after alcohol use, as depression can lead to alcohol use, which may, in turn, increase the risk for depression. In this article: What Is the Prevalence of Co-Occurring Depression and Alcohol Addiction? Why Do People Drink Alcohol…
About 14 million adults in the United States had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), also known as alcoholism, in 2019.1 With this medical condition, your ability to control your alcohol use is impaired. Even if you experience negative consequences resulting from drinking alcohol, you may be unable to stop drinking without professional help.1 Behavioral therapy…
Many relapse prevention tools have been created to help people trying to maintain recovery. Originating with the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program, H.A.L.T. is one of the AA sayings and is a useful acronym for identifying potential relapse triggers.1 In this article: What Is H.A.L.T.? Hungry Angry Lonely Tired What Is H.A.L.T.? While relapse can seem…
Dementia is a common side effect of heavy, long-term alcohol misuse. Evidence suggests that up to 78% of people who experience alcohol addiction have some degree of brain damage, which can include alcohol-induced dementia and other forms of dementia. The prevalence of dementia is as high as 24% in those who chronically misuse alcohol.1,2 In…
The founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) established the 12 steps for anyone to use as a guide for overcoming an addiction to alcohol and to deal with mental health issues like depression. One of the founding members, Bill Wilson, struggled with depression for years. It became apparent to him that there is a connection between…
Twelve-step programs—including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)—make numerous references to God and a “Higher Power” in their literature. The role of a higher power in AA is intended to inspire and empower people to become sober, looking to an entity higher than themselves that can guide them toward long-term recovery. Some AA members struggle with understanding the…
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a term used by mental health and other medical professionals to diagnose individuals with significant alcohol problems. Withdrawal symptoms are considered to be a physical component of AUD and are the result of changes in brain chemistry that occur after prolonged periods of heavy alcohol use. Approximately 50% of individuals…
Mental illness and addiction tend to go hand-in-hand. Here are the disorders that most often co-occur with alcohol abuse.
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