Yes, alcoholism is considered a mental illness. Classified as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is a chronic condition that affects the brain’s structure and function, leading to compulsive alcohol use despite negative consequences. Alcoholism impacts how you think, feel, and act, making it a complex mental health disorder requiring specialized treatment.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, Live Oaks Wellness is here to help. Call us today or verify your insurance to learn more about our personalized treatment options and start your journey toward recovery.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is an informal word for alcohol addiction. The clinical term for this condition is alcohol use disorder.
Addictions to alcohol and other substances are characterized by a loss of control over how much and how often a person uses the substance, as well as by their continued use of the substance even after incurring some type of harm due to prior use.
In other words, once someone with alcoholism has a drink, they will find it extremely difficult—or virtually impossible—to stop. Even though they know this behavior is degrading their health and overall quality of life, they won’t be able to resist the urge to keep drinking.
Two other common signs of alcoholism are tolerance and withdrawal:
- Tolerance: As a person’s body adapts to the presence of alcohol, the drug won’t have as strong of an impact. To counter this, the individual will have to drink more than they used to in order to achieve the effects they are seeking.
- Withdrawal: This refers to a variety of distressing symptoms that a person develops when they abruptly stop or attempt to significantly reduce their alcohol use. Severe withdrawal symptoms, such as alcohol shakes, can even be life-threatening. Learn more about the causes and treatment of alcohol shakes in our blog, What Are Alcohol Shakes?.
Understanding the timeline for quitting alcohol and the withdrawal process can help individuals and their loved ones prepare for recovery. Check out our guide on the Quit Alcohol Timeline for a detailed look at what to expect during each stage.
Given the physical, behavioral, and psychological components of alcohol addiction, how should we classify this disorder? Is alcoholism a mental illness, or is a different category more appropriate?
Is Alcoholism a Mental Illness?
Alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) is included in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This gives credence to the view that alcoholism is a mental illness.
Alcoholism and other types of addiction are also frequently referred to as behavioral health disorders. Other conditions that are often included in the behavioral health sphere include eating disorders, compulsive gambling, and sex/love addiction.
Of course, virtually every type of mental illness can influence a person’s actions as well as their thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. What makes concerns such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder different from alcoholism and other substance use disorders?
Here’s one way to understand the distinction between mental and behavioral health disorders:
- Mental illnesses involve psychological symptoms that can impact a person’s behaviors.
- Behavioral health concerns involve actions that can have a negative effect on a person’s psychological well-being.
Though addictions fit better in the behavioral health category, there is clearly a strong mental health aspect to this condition as well. So, to summarize:
- Is alcoholism a behavioral health disorder? Yes, it is.
- Is alcoholism a mental illness? Yes, it is.
Understanding the difference between mental health and behavioral health can be helpful when trying to find the best source of treatment for yourself or a loved one. But no matter which term you use, what’s most important is understanding that alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease that often requires professional care.
The Link Between Alcoholism and Other Mental Illnesses
Clinicians refer to the co-occurrence of addiction and other mental health disorders as dual diagnosis. Research has established a strong connection between alcoholism and other mental illnesses:
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), as many as 40% of people with either anxiety or depression may also have a co-occurring addiction to alcohol. For purposes of comparison, the prevalence of alcohol addiction among all Americans ages 12 and above is about 10.2%.
- Studies have found that as many as 60.7% of people with bipolar I disorder have a co-occurring addiction, with 46.2% having alcohol use disorder.
- A team from the VA San Diego Healthcare System reported that about 33% of people with PTSD meet the criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. The same team also found that as many as 67% of those with alcohol use disorder also have PTSD.
- A report that was published in 2019 noted that the lifetime prevalence of alcoholism is 24.3% among people who have schizophrenia.
Though alcoholism and other mental illnesses commonly co-occur, the cause-effect relationship between these conditions can vary from person to person.
In some cases, alcoholism results from untreated mental illness. For example, a person who has untreated PTSD may begin to drink as a means of numbing themselves to their emotional pain. While this may offer temporary respite, the long-term impact of this behavior can include a worsening of the mental illness as well as the development of addiction.
In other instances, alcoholism can be a causative factor for a mental illness. The effects of untreated alcohol addiction can include job loss, ruined relationships, financial devastation, and serious health problems. Someone who endures these difficulties may develop depression or even PTSD as a result.
Regardless of which disorder occurred first, someone who has alcoholism and a co-occurring mental health condition needs comprehensive treatment that addresses both disorders. Treating only the alcoholism or the mental illness while ignoring the other concern can be a recipe for disaster.
This is one of the reasons why it is so important to find a treatment provider who will take the time to fully assess your history and needs, then develop a customized plan just for you.
Learn More About Alcoholism Treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area
Live Oaks Wellness offers personalized care for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs. We also offer dual diagnosis services for patients with depression, anxiety, and other co-occurring disorders.
The continuum of care at our alcohol rehab in the San Francisco Bay Area includes detoxification, residential treatment, and outpatient programming. Our team will will work closely with you to determine which programs and therapies can best prepare you to achieve improved mental health and successful, long-term recovery. Learn more about the rehab experience in our blog, What Is Rehab Like? Understanding the Process.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
