Physiological Effects

Alcohol Use Disorder, or Alcoholism, is an addictive disease. It is important to understand that addictive diseases progress through predictable stages.  Depending on the individual and variables in their environment, this progression can be rapid or gradual. Variables include the substance used, its social acceptability, and availability, among other factors. You will face individual challenges depending on the variables that pertain to your ‘stage’ of progression.

In the early ‘adaptive stage’ of chemical dependency, the individual uses drugs or alcohol to achieve a desired level of euphoria or to relieve stress from feelings such as anger, fear, anxiety, hurt, or depression.  As the adaptive stage progresses, the user develops a tolerance to that substance and must use it in larger amounts to achieve the same effect.  The user finds it increasingly difficult to control their alcohol or drug use, and may experience personal or behavioral problems.  Changes in thinking occur to justify or defend inappropriate behavior.  This is commonly referred to as denial.

In the middle ‘dependent stage,’ the frequency of alcohol or drug use increases.  Changes in brain chemistry occur as the brain accommodates the addictive substance.  This change in brain chemistry results in increased tolerance. Denial also increases as the user becomes obsessed with alcohol or drugs.  Depending on the substance, physical dependence may be present, resulting in uncomfortable or painful withdrawal symptoms upon discontinued use of that substance.

In the late ‘chronic stage’ of chemical dependency, all the problems with the adaptive and dependent stages are magnified and continue at a higher and more severe level.  Psychological and behavioral problems develop, often leading to serious health issues and pre-mature death.

Psychological Effects

In chemical dependency, the defenses make up what is known as the denial system.  Defense mechanisms are unconscious and unintentional ways of dealing with internal conflict to protect a person from threats to his or her self-concept.

Four key factors that influence the development of defense mechanisms; First, a person’s poor understanding of the nature of addictive disease and the lack of understanding of the symptoms.  Second, facing the realities of addiction and dependency is very threatening. Third, due to the stigmas frequently linked to addiction, a rejection of the diagnosis is necessary to maintain a person’s sense of self-worth.  And fourth; the acknowledgment of addiction requires one to accept that his or her life must undergo radical change.  It is important to understand that lying is not a defense mechanism.  Lying is intentional.  Lying about your alcohol or drug use indicates the awareness of a problem.