Brad Pitt says he can drink in ‘restrained manner’ after 7 sober years, but expert raises red flag
Addiction can alter the brain’s reward system, she said, making it highly responsive to the dopamine release associated with drinking or substance use.
“And that doesn’t go away – it lays dormant,” Steinman said, comparing it to a bear in hibernation. “If you wake that bear … life can quickly become unmanageable. So they want to be very mindful of that happening.”
For people with alcohol use disorder, the NIAAA says it is generally recommended to abstain from drinking for the “greatest chance of long-term success.” (iStock)
The NIAAA notes that alcohol addiction involves changes across multiple brain systems related to rewards, stress, decision-making and learned responses to alcohol-related cues, and that some of those changes can continue even after drinking stops.
For those struggling with substance-use issues and mental health issues, it’s a “lifelong issue” that must be managed like any other chronic illness, according to Steinman.
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“I liken it to diabetes or heart disease – you have to manage this health issue,” she said. “And it’s the same thing for alcoholism and substance use issues.”
While NIAAA acknowledges that alcohol addiction can leave some people vulnerable to relapse, the agency notes that each recovery trajectory is unique.
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For someone who has returned to drinking after a period of sobriety, Steinman said there are certain warning signs that can indicate the return of problematic patterns. Those might include escalating consumption, erratic behavior, drinking alone, secretly drinking and drinking during the day.
Moderation can also mean different things to different people, she noted.
Anyone who is noticing problematic behaviors with alcohol or drug consumption should speak with an addiction counselor. (iStock)
“Is it one drink a day? Is it a drink at dinner only? I’ve had people try out moderation by not having liquor at all and just sticking to beer and wine,” Steinman said. “So it’s all these different trials that they’re doing when someone starts seeing an escalation.”
Anyone who is noticing problematic behaviors with alcohol or drug consumption should speak with an addiction counselor, she advised.
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For people with alcohol use disorder, the NIAAA says it is generally recommended to abstain from drinking for the “greatest chance of long-term success.”
However, the agency also notes that some people can return to occasional drinking without resuming problematic use, and says specific treatment goals should be decided between the patient and a doctor or addiction specialist.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/brad-pitt-says-can-drink-restrained-manner-sober-years-expert-raises-red-flag