Alopecia areata can cause significant emotional distress, and people with this condition may have a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder.
When you have alcohol use disorder (AUD), you can’t stop drinking, even if it causes problems in your life.
AUD affects millions of Americans and includes conditions some call alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, or alcoholism.
In one study of 376 people with alopecia areata, 67 percent reported excessive alcohol consumption.
Another study of 4,785 people also found an increased risk of AUD with this condition.
AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe, and providers typically ask certain questions to determine if someone has this disorder, for example:
In the past year, have you:
- Ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended?
- Wanted to cut down on or stop drinking (or tried to) more than once?
- Spent a lot of time drinking, or feeling sick after drinking?
- Wanted a drink so badly that you couldn’t think of anything else?
- Noticed that drinking (or its aftereffects) interfered with your daily responsibilities? (family, school, or work?)
- Continued to drink even though it caused problems with family or friends?
- Given up on or avoided important, interesting, or fun activities so you could drink?
- More than once engaged in risky behavior after drinking?
- Kept on drinking even though it made you feel depressed or anxious?
- Continued drinking after an alcohol-related memory blackout?
- Found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?
- Felt withdrawal symptoms as the alcohol effects worse off, like trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, or a racing heart?
If you answered yes to a question or two above, you are not alone. No matter how many apply to you, a wide range of effective treatments can offer support. If desired, behavioral therapies, support groups, and even some medications can help you cut back on alcohol and reach your goals.
Your healthcare provider can offer recommendations, and you can also find support from these groups:
