Every day, millions of people battle alcohol dependence.
Many people believe that the issue runs in their family because having a close relative with an alcohol consumption disorder increases your risk of developing one yourself.
However, one of the biggest questions is how long does it take to become an alcoholic?”
Alcoholism is a disease that can be contracted by anyone, depending on their specific situation.
Although alcoholism, also known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD), develops gradually, there is no defined period during which an addiction must develop.
See Also: How Long Does It Take To Become An Aerospace Engineer?
Quick Navigation:
What is an Alcoholic like?
Alcohol is still quite addictive, unlike illegal substances like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
How long does it take to become an alcoholic? Although many people can consume alcohol safely and not become addicted, others battle addiction and alcohol use disorder.
Numerous symptoms might appear as a result of alcohol addiction.
It indicates a severe problem when someone believes that drinking alcohol is the only way they can unwind or relieve their daily stress.
Alcohol is highly addictive if consumed excessively or if a person is more likely to become dependent drinks it.
This is true even if only beer is being consumed. Some folks merely take pleasure in the euphoria that alcohol provides.
Others believe drinking is necessary to unwind in social settings like parties. If these actions become routine, they may trigger alcohol addiction.
Examples of persons who have an alcohol addiction include those who go out of their way to create excuses to drink or who discover that they experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop.
A significant issue, alcohol use disorder, first appears in the brain.
Is Alcoholics Worth it?
How long does it take to become an Alcoholic? If someone is in danger of developing alcohol dependence, it can be determined by a few different variables.
Genetics, as previously mentioned, is very important. Social, environmental, and psychological elements, however, also have the potential to increase the risk of alcoholism.
A person might be more likely to drink themselves if, for instance, they hang out with friends or peers who do.
Peer pressure situations could arise, such as when a college student is attempting to join a sorority or fraternity where drinking is strongly promoted.
People who are closely related to an alcoholic parent or sibling may also become addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Naturally, not everyone with a close relative who uses alcohol turns to alcohol or even consumes alcohol in general, but this increases the hazards.
Alcoholism can also result from situations like maltreatment.
As a strategy to hide their mental symptoms, people with mental health illnesses are also more likely to develop alcohol use disorders.
Also Read: How Long Does It Take To Become an American Citizen?
What Schooling Do you need to Become an Alcoholic
Here are a few schools:
1. The University of Detroit Mercy
U.S. News & World Report states that the University of Detroit Mercy was tied for the 41st best regional university in the Midwest in 2015.
It provides not just a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Addictions Counseling but also programs leading to certification as an addictions counselor (CAC) and licensure as a professional counselor (LPC).
The state of Michigan allows graduates of the latter two schools to work as addiction counselors.
2. New York Institute of Technology
According to U.S. rankings of Northern regional universities, the New York Institute of Technology was tied for 50th place.
2015 News & World Report The institution offers a certificate in alcohol and drug misuse counseling, which can be pursued independently or in conjunction with the master’s program in school counseling.
A bachelor’s degree and an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 are requirements for enrollment in the certificate program. Oral and written tests are also requirements for candidates.
3. University of the Pacific
In 2015, the University of the Pacific was ranked 116th overall among all national universities by U.S. News & World Report.
The university provides aspiring substance addiction counselors with a certificate program that instructs them in one-on-one and group therapy, crisis intervention, and case management.
There is also coursework in assessment and therapy planning.
Read More: How Long Does It Take To Become An EMT?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Licensed Alcoholic?
How long does it take to become an Alcoholic? Although alcohol addiction takes time to develop, some people are more likely than others to get addicted quickly.
Alcohol can impact a person’s feelings, thoughts, actions, and reactions when it enters the body, bloodstream, and brain.
Alcohol’s impact on the brain’s chemical composition is the cause of this.
A person experiences happiness or even euphoria after consuming alcohol because it causes particular neurotransmitters to be released into the body.
They enjoy that sensation, which makes them more likely to keep drinking.
However, as people can feel euphoria even while experiencing a wide range of other emotions, it is typically false happiness.
They immediately resume experiencing whatever they were feeling before when they stop drinking.
This is the main factor that causes alcohol dependence. The pleasure a person gets from drinking causes them to want and even need more and more.
As a result, alcohol dependence may develop swiftly.
How long does it take to become an Alcoholic? However, it could take weeks, months, or even years for that reliance to form, depending on several conditions.
There is no set period during which it can happen.
The phases of alcoholism are generally:
Pre-Alcoholic: You use alcohol to relax. As your tolerance grows, you need more and more alcohol to feel the effects.
Early Alcoholic: You can start drinking covertly and experience alcohol-induced blackouts. Your tolerance increases when you increase the frequency of your drinking.
Middle Stage Alcoholic: Your relationships and job start to suffer from alcohol use.
You might make several attempts to stop drinking. And you might experience guilt and humiliation, which could push you to use alcohol as a self-medication.
There could be some physical signs, such as facial redness and bloating.
Late Alcoholic: Alcohol takes over your life and precedes your relationships, career, and responsibilities.
Additional indications of addiction may include sloppy grooming, alcoholic breath, jaundice, dry skin, brittle nails, and an aging appearance.
Additionally, you might develop long-term medical issues, including liver cirrhosis. You have withdrawal symptoms every time you attempt to stop drinking.
Check Also: How Long Does It Take To Become An X-ray Technician?
How Much Does it Cost to become a licensed Alcoholic
One can choose from various educational paths that will enable them to pursue a meaningful profession in addiction treatment and increase their earning potential.
Numerous qualified addiction specialists complete a Bachelor’s degree in psychology or social work.
Then enroll in a Master’s program to become eligible for state licensure and a career as a substance misuse counselor.
In-state tuition at public four-year college costs, on average, $7,020, whereas out-of-state tuition at the same public four-year college costs, on average, $18,548. (this varies by state and school).
In addition, a private four-year university may cost $26,273. Remember that these numbers are merely averages.
They can and do vary depending on a few factors, such as the number of credits needed for a certain institution.
Most Master’s programs typically cost an additional $25,000 to $30,000 on top of the price of a bachelor’s degree.
Salary and Job Outlook for Alcoholic After Study
Job Outlook
As more people seek addiction and mental health treatment, drug, and alcohol counselors are in high demand and are expected to continue to grow in demand over the next few years.
Drug and alcohol counselors are in greater demand as states look to counseling and treatment programs for drug offenders as alternatives to jail or prison time.
To provide military troops with substance misuse and mental health treatment, drug, and alcohol counselors are also required.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is predicted to grow by 22 percent between 2018 and 2028, resulting in an estimated 68,500 new jobs by that point (BLS).
Although most drug and alcohol counselors work in outpatient mental health and substance misuse institutions, they also work in residential substance abuse and mental health facilities, hospitals, and individual family services.
Check Also: How Long Does It Take To Become A Sonographer?
Salary
Drug and alcohol counselors’ earning potential might vary depending on several criteria, including degree level, certifications, job experience, employer, and region.
As of May 2018, the average yearly salary for substance abuse, behavioral problem, and mental health counselors was $47,920, with salaries ranging from $28,240 to $72,990.
The typical hourly compensation for these experts was $23.04.
The location has the highest impact on the prospective earnings of drug and alcohol counselors of all the variables.
Conclusion
Although many people can consume alcohol safely and not become addicted, others battle addiction and alcohol use disorder.
How long does it take to become an Alcoholic? The amount of time it takes to become dependent on alcohol is not predetermined.
However, it could take weeks, months, or even years for that reliance to form, depending on several conditions.
It is crucial to fully abstain from alcohol rather than asking how long it takes to become an Alcoholic.
Read More: How Long Does It Take To Become A Paramedic?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an Alcoholic? The amount of time it takes to become dependent on alcohol is not predetermined.
Sometimes a person can consume alcohol in moderation for years before becoming alcoholic, but a significant life event like losing their job or being divorced pushes them over the edge.
How long does it take to become an alcoholic? Feeling helpless to limit one’s alcohol consumption.
Declining to participate in once-interesting hobbies or social activities, being unable to control one’s drinking while wanting to cut back or stop.
Consuming alcohol in hazardous conditions, such as while driving or swimming.
How long does it take to become an alcoholic? Having more than four drinks on any given day or more than 14 drinks per week for men.
Having more than three drinks on any given day or more than seven drinks each week for women.
How long does it take to become an alcoholic? One of the most typical side effects of alcohol consumption is bloating.
The term “beer belly,” used to describe the persistent fat, frequent drinkers tend to accumulate around their midsections, is well known.