Explaining Alcoholism: A Guide for Ohio Families

Medical Reality vs. Moral Myths

When you look for answers to explain alcoholism to your family, it is easy to run into old myths that blame the person or their loved ones. However, science tells us something very different: alcoholism is a medical condition, not a moral weakness. Doctors call it Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

It happens when someone’s brain and body become dependent on alcohol, making it extremely hard to stop drinking even when it causes harm. This isn’t about willpower or being a “bad person.” Many Ohio families still face stigma because of these myths. Shame and judgment can keep people from reaching out for help, even though recovery is possible with the right support.

“Did you know only about 7% of adults with AUD actually get treatment each year? Stigma is one of the biggest reasons for this gap.”⁵

It is important to recognize that genetics and life experiences play a big part in the risk for alcoholism. About 50-60% of a person’s risk comes from their genes². Stressful events or trauma can also make someone more vulnerable. Just as you wouldn’t blame someone for having diabetes or asthma, blaming a loved one for AUD only creates more pain. Instead, approaching alcoholism as a medical problem opens the door to understanding and hope. If you’re ready to move past myths and focus on real solutions, the next step is understanding how alcohol changes the brain—and why quitting isn’t just a matter of choice.

How Brain Chemistry Changes with Alcohol

Let’s walk through how alcohol affects the brain and why this makes quitting so tough—especially for families in Ohio seeking to explain alcoholism and support loved ones. When someone drinks, alcohol changes the way brain cells talk to each other.

Alcohol also affects parts of the brain that control decision-making, memory, and self-control. As these areas become less active, it is much harder to stop drinking, even when people really want to. This isn’t just a matter of willpower—the brain’s wiring has been changed by repeated alcohol use¹⁰.

Long-term drinking can make someone anxious, moody, or even physically sick when they try to quit. These withdrawal symptoms can be severe, which is a big reason why stopping suddenly can be dangerous and sometimes requires medical help³. Understanding these brain changes helps families respond with support instead of blame. Recovery is possible, but it often means retraining the brain and body over time. Arista can guide your family through this journey with expertise and compassion.

Warning Signs Your Family Should Know

Spotting the early warning signs of alcohol use disorder (AUD) can make a huge difference for Ohio families searching to explain alcoholism and find real solutions. Here is a quick checklist you can use at home:

• Drinking more or longer than planned.
• Wanting to cut down or stop but not being able to.
• Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from alcohol.
• Missing work, school, or family events because of drinking.
• Losing interest in hobbies or activities once enjoyed.
• Taking risks, like driving after drinking.
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or sick when not drinking.

If you notice several of these signs in a loved one, it may be time to talk about getting help. This approach is ideal for families who want to act before the situation worsens. Remember, these signs can show up slowly or all at once, and they may look different in teens versus adults. Arista understands how hard these conversations can be. Our team is ready to guide you in recognizing the signs and planning your next steps.

Ohio’s Unique Alcohol Health Challenges

Ohio faces some unique hurdles when it comes to alcohol and health—knowing these can help families better explain alcoholism and seek the right support. Let’s start with a quick checklist to see if these challenges affect your family:

These factors often make recovery even more complicated for Ohio families. In Ohio, the number of adults who drink alcohol is dropping, but the harm from excessive drinking remains high. Consider the following statistics:

Rural areas in Ohio can be especially tough. Fewer treatment centers mean longer drives for care, and stigma may be stronger in small communities. Many people also face co-occurring depression or anxiety, which makes recovery harder—those with Alcohol Use Disorder are 2.3 times more likely to have major depression³. If your family is seeing any of these patterns, know that you’re not alone. Arista understands Ohio’s unique challenges and is ready to help you find solutions close to home.

Understanding Your Family’s Risk Factors

When you try to explain alcoholism in your family, a helpful starting point is understanding your unique risk factors. Here is a quick checklist you can use:

• Does alcoholism run in your family history?
• Has anyone in your home faced mental health challenges like anxiety or depression?
• Are there regular stressors, such as financial troubles or relationship issues?
• Do you or your loved ones live in an area with high alcohol availability, like parts of Ohio with many liquor stores?

Research shows that genetics account for about 50-60% of a person’s risk for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)². This means if a parent or sibling has struggled with alcohol, your family’s risk is higher. But genes are only part of the picture. Your environment—stress at home, exposure to heavy drinking, and even local culture—also plays a major role.

This approach works best when families want to be proactive and prevent problems before they start. If you’re worried about your family’s risk, know that knowledge is power. Arista can help you sort out which factors matter most and connect you to resources that fit your situation. Taking a close look now can make all the difference.

Childhood Trauma’s Role in Adult Drinking

If you want to explain alcoholism and understand why some adults in Ohio struggle with drinking, it helps to look back at childhood experiences. Research shows that tough events in childhood—like abuse, neglect, or losing a parent—can increase the risk of developing alcohol problems later in life. These early hardships are called Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs.

They can make a person feel stressed or unsafe, which may lead them to use alcohol as a way to cope with difficult feelings. Here is a simple checklist for families to consider:

• Has your loved one experienced trauma as a child?
• Were there long periods of stress or instability growing up?
• Did they lack strong support from adults during tough times?

“In Ohio, it’s estimated that nearly 1 in 5 cases of heavy adult drinking could be prevented if ACEs were eliminated.”³

This means that past trauma plays a bigger role than many people realize. If your family has a history of difficult childhood experiences, this path makes sense for understanding why alcohol use can become a problem. Arista welcomes families who want to break the cycle and heal together. By learning about the impact of childhood trauma, you can better support your loved ones—and open the door to recovery.

Behavioral Therapies and Support Groups

When Ohio families look for real help to explain alcoholism and support recovery, behavioral therapies and support groups often play a central role. Here is a simple decision checklist to see if these options fit your loved one’s needs:

• Is your family looking for tools to handle cravings and triggers?
• Do you want a space where your loved one can share openly and learn from others?
• Are you seeking strategies to rebuild trust and healthy routines at home?

Behavioral therapies—like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—help people recognize patterns, manage stress, and replace drinking with healthier choices. Family therapy can also strengthen relationships and improve communication, which is especially valuable for Ohio households working through the effects of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)³.

Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Al-Anon (for families) offer a sense of belonging and practical advice. These groups meet in communities across Ohio, making them accessible even in rural areas. Many people find comfort knowing they’re not alone and can connect with others who truly understand their journey. Arista can help you find therapy and group options close to home, so your family feels supported every step of the way.

FDA-Approved Medications for Recovery

FDA-approved medications can be a game-changer for families in Ohio looking for new ways to support a loved one’s recovery journey. Here is a quick assessment to see if medication might fit your situation:

• Has your loved one tried therapy or support groups but still struggles with cravings?
• Are there worries about relapse, even after making progress?
• Would combining medication with counseling feel more manageable?

There are three main medications used to treat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram. Each works a little differently:

• Naltrexone: Helps reduce the urge to drink by blocking the “reward” pathways in the brain.
• Acamprosate: Helps balance brain chemicals to lessen cravings.
• Disulfiram: Causes uncomfortable symptoms if alcohol is consumed³.

These medicines aren’t a cure, but when paired with therapy and support, they can improve the chances of long-term recovery. This solution fits families who want extra support, especially if past attempts at recovery haven’t worked. Medications are available through many Ohio healthcare providers, and Arista can help you find a doctor familiar with these treatments.