Addiction to alcohol is a progressive disease that takes years to develop. It is a serious and progressive disorder and if left untreated, it can lead to liver failure, cardiac failure or even death. A lot of people, who are addicted to alcohol, do not know about the long term effects of their addiction. The person becomes an alcoholic without realizing the damage they have done to themselves. It is important to know the answer to this question because the sooner the person gets treated, the better for him or her. How long does it take to develop a dependency on alcohol? The most common sign of alcohol dependency begins when the person consumes alcohol occasionally. As time goes by, the individual may begin to drink heavily and may develop severe complications due to the abuse of alcohol. Some of the signs that one needs to be aware of include social withdrawal, depression, anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, chronic fatigue, poor memory, weight loss, frequent infections, and suicidal thoughts. Alcohol dependency develops slowly over a period of time. Most often the person becomes addicted to alcohol when he takes drugs as well. Cocaine, weed, heroin, and amphetamines all contribute to the development of addiction. Other drugs like ecstasy, LSD, cocaine, barbiturates and other prescription drugs also contribute to the development of addiction. There are many ways in which a person can become addicted to a drug. Consuming alcohol regularly increases the chance of experiencing drug dependency. Regular use of alcohol weakens the body and makes it more susceptible to drug use. In regular use of alcohol, the user also comes into contact with elements that can affect his mind and health adversely.

how long does it take to become addicted to alcohol and whose at risk

There is no age limit as to how long does it take to become addicted to alcohol. Even teenagers who have a very healthy and happy life may experience drug and alcohol dependencies. It is common for teenagers to experiment with alcohol after coming to a mature age. Some people start experimenting with alcohol at an early age too. It is not only teenagers who are at risk for drug addiction. Young adults, particularly college students, are also at a high risk for developing an addiction to alcohol. College students tend to experiment with alcohol for partying, studying or for obtaining high grades. College students may also experiment with drugs during periods of socialization. Those who work in industries associated with alcohol also face a higher risk of developing drug addictions.