What is Alcoholism? Understanding the Disease of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Part I
What is Alcoholism? Understanding the Disease of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Part I
If you are reading this article, you are probably looking for information about what alcoholism is, for yourself or for a loved one. Alcoholism is a problem that is not widely publicized compared to the level of suffering it directly and indirectly causes. We try in this article and in the following ones to present you with as much pertinent, verified and objective information as possible.
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by the inability to control or stop drinking alcohol despite its harmful consequences. AUD is one of the most common and damaging addictions, affecting countless millions of people worldwide.
The effects of alcoholism spill over into families, workplaces, and communities, causing emotional, physical, and financial harm. In this first article, we will explore the nature of alcoholism as a disorder, its effects on the brain and body, and why it is so much more than just “drinking too much.”
Understanding alcoholism as a disorder is essential to breaking down the stigma surrounding it and encouraging people to seek help.
Alcoholism as a Disorder: What Does It Mean?
Alcoholism is a disorder because it disrupts the normal functioning of the brain and body.
In medical terms, a disorder is defined as a disruption of normal physical or mental functions, and alcoholism (ABD) fits this definition perfectly. People with ABD experience changes in the structure and function of their brains that make it difficult to control their drinking, even when they want to. Loss of control is a hallmark of addiction and one of the key reasons why alcoholism is classified as a disorder by doctors and psychiatrists.
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), ABD is diagnosed when a person meets a specific set of criteria related to their drinking behavior.
The criteria include the inability to cut down on drinking, spending excessive amounts of time drinking or recovering from its effects, and continuing to drink even when it causes problems in relationships or at work. ABD ranges in severity from mild to severe, depending on the number of criteria met. This classification recognizes that alcohol use disorder is not a universal condition, but rather a spectrum of behaviors and consequences that worsen over time if intervention is not provided.
The Brain and Alcoholism: How Alcohol Hijacks the Brain’s Reward System
Alcoholism begins in the brain. Normally, the brain’s reward system motivates behaviors essential for survival, such as eating and socializing. When you engage in these activities, the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Alcohol, like other addictive substances, hijacks this reward system, artificially increasing dopamine levels to create feelings of euphoria. This intense pleasure becomes something the brain craves, and over time, it begins to prioritize alcohol over healthy activities.
One of the main areas of the brain affected by alcohol is the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and self-regulation. Alcohol impairs the functioning of this region, making it difficult for people with ED to make rational decisions about their drinking. Even when they recognize that drinking is harmful, their ability to control the urge to drink is severely compromised.
In addition, chronic alcohol use damages the limbic system, the part of the brain involved in emotion and memory. This damage can lead to mood swings, emotional instability, and difficulty forming new memories. In many cases, people with ED experience blackouts—periods of time when they are active but cannot later remember their actions, due to alcohol-induced memory loss.
As a result of these brain changes, people with BED can find themselves caught in a vicious cycle: drinking makes them feel good in the short term, but over time, it impairs their ability to function and cope with life’s challenges. This cycle is what makes BED a chronic, relapsing disorder.
Tolerance and Alcohol Dependence: Physical Changes in the Body
Over time, as someone drinks more and more alcohol, their body develops tolerance—a need to drink more and more alcohol to get the same effect. This means that someone who once felt intoxicated after a few drinks will now need much larger amounts of alcohol to feel the same high. Tolerance is one of the first signs that a person’s drinking is becoming problematic and can often lead to increased drinking and much more serious consequences over time.
In addition to tolerance, dependence develops when the body begins to rely on alcohol to function normally. This physical dependence is marked by withdrawal symptoms when alcohol consumption is reduced or stopped. Common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, irritability, sweating, nausea, tremors, and, in severe cases, seizures. The severity of withdrawal can vary, but in some cases it can be life-threatening. Fear of these unpleasant symptoms often causes people to continue drinking, even when they desperately want to stop.
One of the most dangerous effects of long-term alcohol use is alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can occur when a person suddenly stops drinking after prolonged heavy use. Severe withdrawal can lead to delirium tremens (DT), a condition characterized by confusion, hallucinations, and high blood pressure. Without medical intervention, DTs can be fatal. This is why medically supervised detoxification is often necessary for those with severe alcohol dependence.
Clau Tripon
I work with people who are going through difficult times and need a space where they feel seen and understood. I try to bring calm, clarity, and safety—especially when someone is dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction, or painful relationships. I believe in the power of small changes and in the courage to no longer walk alone. For me, every meeting is an opportunity to build together a gentler, more honest path that is closer to who you truly are.
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