Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol Addiction: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Break Free

Alcohol addiction is one of the most widespread and misunderstood health issues in the UK. It doesn’t always look like the stereotypes and often hides in plain sight. Some people drink every day and don’t think of themselves as addicted. Others only drink on weekends but find they can’t stop once they start. Either way, alcohol can quietly take control of your life.

This guide is for anyone wondering whether their drinking (or someone else’s) has gone too far. It’s also for those already aware there’s a problem but unsure what to do next.

At Abbington House, we treat alcohol addiction as a complex and individual condition and not a moral failing or a one-size-fits-all problem. Our trauma-informed, neurodivergent-friendly approach is designed for people who want real change and lasting support, not judgment.

What Is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction, also known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is a condition where your relationship with alcohol becomes difficult to control. It’s not about how much you drink. It’s about how it affects your life.

At its core, alcohol addiction is a compulsive pattern of drinking that continues despite the harm it’s causing.

It doesn’t always look chaotic. In fact, many people who live with alcohol addiction are most often fully functioning members of society. They work, parent, socialise and get things done. However, beneath the surface, they’re tired, detached, overwhelmed and losing control. 

You don’t have to drink every day for alcohol to start feeling like a problem. Many people believe they’re still okay because they’re yet to hit the so-called ‘rock bottom’, but this isn’t always the case. It might be affecting your sleep, making you irritable, impacting your relationships, or leaving you struggling to concentrate at work. These signs can creep in slowly, making it easy to overlook the harm until it’s already affecting your well-being.

Alcohol Addiction Is a Pattern, Not a Label

You might be addicted if:

• You drink more or more often than you intended
• You’ve tried to stop or cut down but can’t
• You feel anxious, depressed, or restless when not drinking
• You hide how much you drink or lie to others about it
• You keep drinking even when it causes health, legal, or relationship problems

Alcohol addiction can be physical (your body relies on alcohol to function), psychological (you feel like you need it to cope), or both.

How Alcohol Addiction Progresses Over Time

Alcohol addiction doesn’t happen overnight. It usually begins as something manageable. It might even feel helpful. But over time, the brain adapts, the body develops tolerance, and drinking shifts from choice to compulsion.

A typical progression looks like this:

1. Occasional use to unwind, sleep, or feel more confident
2. Routine use, where alcohol becomes part of your daily or weekly rhythm, includes binge drinkers.
3. Tolerance, you need more to feel the same effects
4. Self-medicating because you feel off, anxious, or low without it.
5. Addiction as you continue to drink despite growing harm or distress. Withdrawal symptoms are present,

If you recognise yourself anywhere in this cycle, an assessment with our team could help you make an informed decision about the next steps.

Why People Get Addicted to Alcohol

Alcohol addiction is rarely about alcohol itself. It’s often about what alcohol gives you or seems to. Numbness. Relief. Escape. Energy. Control. Confidence. Sleep. Stillness.

But these short-term effects come at a high long-term cost.

At Abbington House, we work with people whose alcohol use is often rooted in:

• Trauma (childhood, relational, medical, or complex trauma)
• Anxiety or depression
• ADHD or autism (especially late-diagnosed adults)
• Burnout, stress, or caregiving exhaustion
• Grief, loss, or life transitions
• Isolation, loneliness, or emotional neglect.

Most people don’t become addicted because they “can’t handle life”. They become addicted because they’ve had to handle too much alone, unsupported or in survival mode.

Learn more about the causes of alcohol addiction.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction doesn’t always look extreme. You don’t need to drink daily, lose your job, or end up in A&E for it to be serious. The real question is: What is alcohol doing to your life?

Here are some of the most common signs:

Physical & Behavioural Signs

• Blackouts, memory gaps, or waking up unsure of what happened
• Sleep problems or needing alcohol to fall asleep
• Nausea, shaking, or sweating after stopping
• Frequent headaches, digestive issues, or unexplained illness
• Drinking earlier in the day, or needing “hair of the dog” to feel normal

Emotional & Psychological Signs

• Feeling guilt, shame, or regret after drinking
• Using alcohol to deal with anxiety, sadness, or stress
• Feeling irritable or panicked when alcohol isn’t available
• Obsessing over when you can drink next

Social & Functional Signs

• Hiding alcohol or how much you’re drinking
• Withdrawing from friends or hobbies
• Arguing with family over alcohol
• Declining work or academic performance
• Putting alcohol before your values or priorities

Even just one or two of these patterns, if they’re regular, could point toward a problem worth addressing.

Learn more about the signs of alcohol addiction.

Alcohol Dependence vs. Addiction: What’s the Difference?

While related, dependence and addiction are not quite the same.

Alcohol dependence is when your body becomes physically reliant on alcohol through excessive drinking habits. If you stop suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating or irritability. For those with severe alcohol dependence, withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as the next day.

Addiction is when you experience emotional or behavioural compulsion, a strong pull to drink even when you know it’s causing problems.

You can engage in unhealthy drinking habits without being physically dependent on alcohol, and you can be dependent without fully recognising the psychological grip it has on you.

If either feels familiar, it’s worth exploring further.

See also:
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms →
Alcohol Dependence vs Alcohol Addiction →

How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Body

Alcohol isn’t just a behavioural issue, it affects the entire nervous system. Over time, it changes your brain chemistry, making it harder to feel calm, pleasure, or control without it.

Brain Changes

• Dopamine depletion: Alcohol tricks your brain into releasing feel-good chemicals until it can’t produce them without it
• Prefrontal cortex shrinkage: The part of the brain responsible for decision-making and impulse control weakens over time
• Increased anxiety and depression: Many people find their mental health improves dramatically after stopping drinking

Physical Health Effects

• Liver damage (fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis)
• High blood pressure and increased stroke risk
• Gastrointestinal inflammation
• Weakened immune system
• Hormonal imbalances
• Increased cancer risk (mouth, throat, liver, breast)

Many of these conditions can begin silently. That’s why early intervention isn’t just about “quitting”, preventing long-term damage and reclaiming your health is the goal.

Learn more about the effects of alcohol on the the body and brain.

Who Gets Addicted to Alcohol?

Anyone. Addiction doesn’t have a “type.” It affects:

• High-performing professionals
• Stay-at-home parents
• Students, creatives, carers, builders, retirees
• People with trauma histories or none at all
• People who drink alone and people who only drink socially

At Abbington House, some of our clients are late-diagnosed with ADHD or have been mislabelled for years. Alcohol often becomes a coping mechanism for sensory overwhelm, rejection sensitivity, or racing thoughts.

Addiction is not about weakness. If you need help, you should treat it like any other condition.

How Is Alcohol Addiction Treated?

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for alcohol addiction because no two people have the same reasons for drinking, or the same challenges in stopping. At Abbington House, we create highly individualised care plans that take into account your physical health, mental wellbeing, history, trauma, neurodivergence, and personal goals.

Treatment often includes a combination of:

Alcohol Detox

Detox is the process of safely withdrawing from alcohol when physical dependence is present. It can be dangerous to stop drinking suddenly without medical support, especially if you’ve been drinking heavily for a long time.

Abbington House offers:

• Round-the-clock clinical supervision
• Comfort medication where appropriate
• A calm, private detox environment
• Emotional support during withdrawal symptoms

Learn more about alcohol detox at Abbington House.

Learn more about alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Residential Alcohol Rehab

For many people, detox is only the first step. Residential treatment offers the chance to explore the deeper reasons behind your drinking, learn healthier coping mechanisms, and build a life that doesn’t rely on alcohol.

At Abbington House, our rehab programme includes:

• One-to-one counselling
• Group therapy (trauma-informed and inclusive)
• Family sessions
• Holistic therapies (yoga, nutrition, sound, art therapy)
• Aftercare planning

Explore what alcohol rehab involves.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Many people with alcohol addiction also struggle with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. Others may have undiagnosed ADHD or autism that made alcohol a coping strategy.

We treat both issues together, not separately.

Learn more about alcohol and dual diagnosis treatment.

What to Expect at Abbington House

Abbington House is a trauma-informed rehab centre based in Hertfordshire. We provide warm, discreet, and deeply personalised care for individuals and families struggling with alcohol addiction.

Here’s what makes us different:

A Home, Not a Hospital

Our private setting is calm, residential, and intentionally small. You’ll have your own room, nourishing meals, and supportive staff who know your name and not a number.

Neurodivergent-Aware

We understand how ADHD, autism, sensory processing issues, and masking behaviours intersect with addiction. Our care is flexible, inclusive, and gentle.

No Shame, No Pressure

We don’t lecture or push. We listen. We meet you where you are, and help you build a path forward that makes sense for you.

When Should I Get Help for Alcohol Addiction?

You don’t need to wait until things fall apart. In fact, the earlier you get support, the easier recovery tends to be.

It might be time to reach out if:

• You’ve tried to stop or cut down but keep going back
• Drinking is affecting your sleep, mood, or focus
• You feel like alcohol is the only thing getting you through
• You’re worried that others might notice your drinking
• You don’t like who you’re becoming when you drink

Even if you’re not sure whether it “counts” as addiction, talking to someone is always a good first step. You don’t have to commit to rehab today, you just need to open the door to possibility.

See our guide: When to Seek Help for Alcohol Addiction