Alcohol Addiction, Depression and Anxiety

Having a drink every now and then is a completely normal and acceptable thing to do; you may even be having a drink while you read this. For some people, however, this behavior may be too frequent, too severe and too uncontrollable. Two types of alcohol-related problems are currently recognised. Alcohol abuse refers to behaviour characterised by continued drinking despite negative consequences and decreased ability to fulfil responsibilities. Alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction or alcoholism is an inability to cope without alcohol, including constant cravings and a higher tolerance to the effects of alcohol (APA, 1994). Alcohol abuse is a growing global health problem, affecting 17.8% of Americans during a given lifespan (Hasin et al., 2007) and alcohol dependence affected 13%. In a recent study, Whiteford et al (2013) measured the extent to which various mental health and substance abuse disorders create a burden for those suffering the disease. They found that alcohol abuse was the fourth highest cause of burden of disease in the world, superseded only by depression, anxiety and drug abuse. Specifically, alcohol abuse accounted for 9.6% of all disability-adjusted life years measured, and that the burden remained high from the early 20s right through to 50 years of age, before a gradual decrease in burden was seen. A survey by Murphy et al (2013) found that in 2010, a total of 25,692 Americans died because of alcohol-related causes, including 15,990 due to liver disease. They also found that three times more males died compared to females.

Alcohol dependence is also referred to as alcoholism or alcohol addiction and can happen to anybody as it is often due to a combination of genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors. Often, people with an alcohol addiction will have another mental health difficulty, and the addiction may have begun as an attempt to self-medicate against the comorbid problem. For instance, 36% of people with alcohol dependence also have an anxiety disorder, and 27% have a major depressive disorder (Petrakris et al, 2002). Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety (11.6%), post-traumatic stress disorder (7.7%) and panic disorders (3.9%).  For those with alcohol abuse, 29% suffer with anxiety disorders and 11.3% have comorbid depression).

Due to the wide availability of alcohol, it is vital that those with alcohol abuse problems or alcoholism are appropriately cared for. Many successful treatments are available for alcoholism, many of which have similar aims including:

1)       Attempting to discover the cause of one’s addiction, which might include self-medicating due to another disorder, relieving stress, social inhibitions and avoidance;

2)      Addressing other difficulties besides the addiction which may be present, such as other comorbid disorders, grief, or the loss of employment;

3)      Determining the internal motivations associated with drinking behaviour, also known as functional analysis, by asking clients about their thoughts, feelings and behaviours before, during and after drinking behaviour. This method is particularly helpful in identifying triggers to relapse;

4)      Teaching clients how to better cope with stressors, negative life-events, cognitions and behaviours. This entails coping skills training and developing alternatives to using alcohol as a solution to problems.

CBT has given hope to many with alcohol addiction, and a meta-analysis (review of many studies) of 53 trials of CBT for alcoholism and drug abuse has shown that CBT is significantly effective amongst a wide variety of people and substance abuse disorders, and that it works most effectively when combined with other psycho-social treatments.

Other treatments for alcoholism are also effective, including:

-           Cognitive bias modification (CBM) therapy, which works by adjusting cognitive biases people have towards alcohol from approach to avoidance (Wiers et al, 2011)

-          Social behaviour and network therapy, which promotes change through positive support from a network of family and friends (UKATT, 2005)

-          Motivational enhancement therapy, which aims to clarify the clients own perceptions and beliefs (UKATT, 2005)

-          Harm reduction, which focuses on reducing risky or dangerous drinking and substance abuse

-          AA meetings, thought to work to some extent by reducing depressive feelings (Kelly et al,  2010)

-          And numerous other treatment approaches.

Whatever the situation or problems you are having, your alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction can be treated. As long as you are willing to change and have an open mind, treatment could completely change not only your life, but those of the people you care most about.  Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs.  The foundations of our treatment program for substance abuse also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse treatment and drug treatment.  In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Treatment for substance abuse can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.