She has worked in behavioral health since Halfway house graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 2019. Jordan developed her clinical approach in various inpatient, hospital, outpatient, and private practice settings. Jordan continued her studies and earned a master’s in clinical and mental health counseling. Between post-graduate work and additional training courses, she honed her skills in treating first responders and military personnel from a trauma-informed perspective. Jordan describes her approach as eclectic but most beneficial and includes a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and family-oriented practices. She has worked in behavioral health since graduating with her bachelor's degree in 2019.

Exploring Addiction: Why is Alcohol Addictive?

• The addictive behavior is carried out—whether it's drinking, smoking, binge-watching, or gambling.
• But what glues together a lack of substance use disorder is not necessarily what glues together presence of substance use disorder.
• Withdrawal effects occur because your body is still in a heightened state of chemical production, and the abrupt cessation of alcohol throws your body out of balance.
• Karlie says the best advice ever received is to not fall in love with potential.
• However, for other people, the risk factors for addiction are largely psychological in nature.
• Between post-graduate work and additional training courses, she honed her skills in treating first responders and military personnel from a trauma-informed perspective.

Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance, with tobacco coming in second, with just over 57 million users. Currently, 37.3 million Americans 12 and older are illegal drug users. Call Recovery Centers of America at RECOVERY for information about alcohol detox and treatment. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. Alcohol manufacturers bombard the public with video, digital, and print advertisements. They show drinking as a socially acceptable, fun, and relaxing pastime.

Learn about the factors that lead to alcoholism and why alcohol is addictive.

With a better understanding of why they’re more predisposed to heavy drinking, people can make the conscious decision to abstain while they still have the power to do so. More importantly, this understanding is also a critical part of the addiction recovery process. Because of this, consumers and bartenders have devised countless ways for softening, refining, and even concealing the distinctively intense flavor. In fact, some people can’t stop drinking alcohol even though it’s wreaking absolute havoc on every aspect of their lives. At the same time, alcohol inhibits the neurotransmitter glutamate, why is alcohol addicting which normally increases brain activity.

• We surveyed 5,123 U.S. adults from Feb. 24 to March 2, 2025, including 3,494 who are ages 21 and older and drink alcohol.
• This genetic influence can affect how the brain responds to alcohol or alter an individual’s tolerance levels.
• Beyond two, That’s just statistically what one of my old advisors would call decimal dust, meaning it’s just not represented in the population.
• Those who drink a few times a month (45%) or a few times a year (31%) are less likely to say their drinking increases this risk.
• When consumed, alcohol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine, spreading its effects throughout the body.

Signs of Withdrawal and The Path to Recovery

Alcohol can also affect a person’s decision-making and impulse control. This can lead to dangerous behavior that can cause harm to a person suffering from alcohol addiction as well as the people around them. When overcoming addiction, several psychological and physical factors need to be considered.

How Bad is Alcohol for Your Body?

Alcoholism also affects the brain’s “reward center” and produces pleasurable sensations (such as anxiety reduction) when consumed. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. Gradually, this craving becomes habitual, resulting in automatic, unthinking repetition. Among routine drinkers, 44% of those who are aware of the news say it will lead to them drinking a lot less or a little less. Among those who drink a few times a month, 46% say it will lead to them cutting back. For both groups, the shares who say they will cut back a little are bigger than the shares who plan to cut back a lot.

Are your relationships or responsibilities suffering because of alcohol? Another reason alcohol is addictive is due to tolerance and dependence. As you drink more regularly, your body begins to build a tolerance to alcohol, meaning you need more of it to feel the same effects. Effective treatment for alcohol use disorder involves a combination of medical, therapeutic, and holistic approaches. At Sana at Stowe in Stowe, Vermont, individuals receive personalized treatment plans in addiction recovery care that address all aspects of their addiction. People who are physically dependent on alcohol will need the support of a healthcare professional to stop drinking.