Alcohol use disorder can be caused by genetic, behavioral, and cultural factors. Some people can drink alcohol without developing a physical dependency. Some people cannot. Alcohol addiction rehab in Portland is available to you if you are struggling with addiction yourself. Our team at Crestview Recovery can offer you support in Oregon to help you take your life back from alcoholism. Call us today at 866.262.0531 to learn more.
What Causes Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a chronic condition that impacts your body’s brain, organs, emotions, and motivation center. Yet, many people are unsure what brings it on. Some people can have a drink every day and never develop alcoholism. Others may find themselves looking for help for an addiction treatment center in Oregon right away after drinking for a short amount of time. Genetics and hereditary are likely to be one component of this.
That does not mean that you’ll have alcoholism if you touch a single drink if someone in your family has this disease. However, it does mean you may be predisposed to develop addiction with consistent or binge drinking. Scientists believe that about half of all people with alcohol use disorder have some type of genetic predisposition. That means that a person’s DNA may make it more or less likely that they will derive pleasure from the effects of drinking alcohol. This could be from the way they metabolize the substance what other medications they are taking. Other people are likely not to develop it because their body reacts with nausea or negative effects.
Genetic and Environmental Factors Play a Role
If alcoholism runs in your family, you may have a greater chance of developing it. Research shows that people who start drinking at an early age are more likely to develop alcoholism later on in life as well. This is likely due to the fact that their brains are still developing and are more susceptible to addiction.
Environmental factors may also contribute to the development of alcoholism. If you grew up in a household where alcohol was abused, you may be more likely to develop alcoholism yourself. This is because you may see drinking as a way to deal with stress or cope with difficult emotions. Additionally, peer pressure can play a role in the development of alcoholism. If all your friends are drinking and you feel like you have to drink to fit in, you may be more likely to develop an addiction.
There is no single cause of alcoholism. It is likely that a combination of factors contributes to the development of this disease. If you are concerned about your drinking, it is important to talk to a doctor or mental health professional. They can help you understand your risks and develop a plan to stay safe.
How Can You Find Help in Oregon for Alcohol Addiction?
If you think you could potentially have an alcohol addiction and you are in Oregon, our team at Crestview Recovery may be able to help you. Our team looks at all of the factors impacting your mental health and wellbeing to create a comprehensive treatment plan to address them.
It’s never wise to wait to find out if you have a genetic condition. What’s best is to avoid consistent use of alcohol that puts you at risk of developing an addiction even if you do not have a family history of the disease. If you’re using and struggling with it, reach out to our team today to learn how to help you. We offer programs such as:
- Women’s rehab treatment
- Men’s rehab treatment
- Mental health disorder treatment
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
What Does This Mean for You?
If you have a family member who has had a drinking problem in the past, and you’re drinking now, ask yourself a few questions.
- Do you struggle with cravings when you don’t drink?
- Are you drinking more than you used to?
- Do you use alcohol to manage emotions?
- Are you struggling to stop drinking even though you want to?
- Do you have intense withdrawal symptoms when you don’t have a drink?
If you answered yes to these questions, that might mean it is time for you to seek out alcohol use disorder treatment. Whether or not a family member also has had an addiction, you need to pay close attention to your own health and watch out for symptoms of addiction. Don’t overlook the importance of care.
At the same time, you may have no family history of alcoholism. That may make you think that you don’t need addiction treatment services in Oregon at all. You don’t have to have a family history of this disease to develop it. That’s important for everyone to recognize.
Are You Ready to Get Help? Call Crestview Recovery Today
Alcoholism is a severe disease. If you believe you may have it, seek out alcohol addiction therapy right here in Oregon. Our team at Crestview Recovery can provide you with exceptional help and support. Call us now at 866.262.0531 to learn more or reach out to us online.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
