What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction
September 23, 2024
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In
Many people indulge in alcoholic beverages now and then. But alcohol can become addictive. If you begin consuming alcohol to deal with life or cannot limit your drinking, you could have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This disorder can rapidly take over your life and have a negative impact on all the pursuits you enjoyed before.
But don’t lose hope. If you suspect you or someone you love have alcohol use disorder, support and long-term recovery are possible. Read on to learn more about AUD and the steps to take if you need guidance right now.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition where you feel the need to drink alcohol despite the adverse ramifications of overuse. Your brain seeks alcohol’s mind-altering qualities and no longer performs adequately without them. AUD can be anywhere from mild to severe. At its most intense, you are at risk of overdosing on alcohol with lethal repercussions.
As a consequence of AUD, you could become addicted to alcohol and suffer unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop using. Without expert help, you cannot keep yourself from ingesting alcohol to mitigate the unease your body undergoes when you start alcohol detox. If you do manage to stop “cold turkey,” you still have to fight the practice of frequent drinking. AUD must have skilled treatment to fully recover.
Why Do Some People Develop Alcohol Use Disorder?
Numerous individuals drink, but not everyone develops an alcohol use disorder. Several factors help determine your odds of being impacted by AUD:
- Drinking from a young age
- Underlying mental health conditions
- History of trauma
- Poor coping abilities
- Genetics
- Family history of addiction
Numerous individuals begin misusing alcohol as a response to high levels of stress. With a lack of constructive coping mechanisms, it’s easy to combat the difficult feelings that stem from mental illness and trauma with the chemical stimulation of alcohol. Whenever those negative feelings return, you turn to alcohol to shut them down again. You feel better temporarily when drinking alcohol.
Regrettably, alcohol is not a solution. When you consume it habitually, you might become dependent on those chemicals to live your daily life. When you don’t have them, you feel more uncomfortable than you did peviously and are compelled to drink more. Over time, drinking alcohol controls your life and adversely impacts your well-being, relationships, finances, employment and leisure pursuits. When you become trapped in this endless spiral, you can’t stop drinking without specialized guidance.
What Are Some Alcohol Addiction Symptoms?
Frequent drinking doesn’t definitively signify a disorder. Alcohol use becomes a disorder when it starts to interfere with your life. Various behaviors connected with drinking can signify an alcohol use disorder.
You may have AUD if you:
- Often drink in excess of or longer than you planned
- Are not able to cease drinking even when you want to
- Spend much time acquiring and drinking alcohol, despite the fact it makes you ill or impedes other parts of life
- Compulsions are so intense you are unable to focus on other obligations
- Have taken part in unsafe behaviors while consuming alcohol
- Have to drink more than before in order to achieve the wanted result
- Have abandoned activities you once enjoyed to make time for drinking
- Have continued drinking despite its effect on friends and family
- Experience withdrawal symptoms when you cease drinking
The more symptoms of AUD you have, the more severe your situation is. But any person who’s displaying indicators of alcohol addiction symptoms has a right to professional therapy and support. You shouldn’t have to take on alcohol use disorder by yourself.
What You Should Know About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have an alcohol addiction, your system requires it to perform. If you cease drinking, you become sick. This is called withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary for each person and depend on your degree of alcohol usage. If you enter withdrawal, you could face any mix of these symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Feelings of anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Racing heart
- Fever
- Elevated blood pressure
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are an obvious indicator that you or a loved one has AUD and needs help. Withdrawal is often distressing and, in severe cases, even fatal if not managed by medical specialists. If someone you know| wants to quit alcohol but endures withdrawal whenever they attempt to, reach out to a substance use treatment center for expert care.
Can You “Cure” Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol use disorder and addiction are known as chronic diseases. Technically speaking, there is no cure. However, there is a possibility for long-term recovery. With the proper combination of mental health and medical support, you can learn to navigate the impulse to drink and reach your goal of sobriety. It’s a difficult process, but numerous people eventually overcome alcohol use disorder and take back control of their lives.
Starting Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment
No person can attain sobriety alone–and you don’t have to! Seeking alcohol use disorder treatment can feel daunting, but you have a right to expert treatment to help you get your life back on track.
Alcohol use recovery might feel less intimidating when you perceive it as a series of steps steps. There is no single road to a sober life. Many individuals relapse and undertake parts of the process several times. But you should know, you can get help from loved ones and qualified providers during your journey to recovery.
Alcohol detox: Your first step is alcohol detox. When your system removes those chemicals, you require medical guidance to maintain your safety and comfort. If you’re set to stop your alcohol use, request admittance to a residential detox center. You will get 24/7 care for one or two weeks as you go through withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab: After detoxing, your mind and body will still crave alcohol. You need to move forward to residential alcohol rehab where medical staff can help you manage post-acute withdrawal. Alcohol rehab centers upon restoring your brain from the influence of alcohol usage. You’ll go to therapy each day to look at the mental facets of AUD. You’ll continue in rehab as long as you need.
Outpatient addiction support: Rehab will get you stable enough to go back home, but you will still need ongoing support to stay sober. Don’t leave rehab without joining an outpatient addiction program that offers therapy and medical-assisted treatment. You can live at home or in a sober living accommodation, but you still must engage psychotherapists and a doctor during the week.
Sober living: Eventually, your need for treatment will abate. However, recovery is a life-long process. Tap into the network of addiction experts, family, and new confidants you have built to continue living a healthy life. Abstain from situations that compel you to drink. Get support whenever you need it. Enduring recovery is possible!
Find Help Today For Alcohol Use Disorder
You don’t have to battle alcohol addiction on your own. Talk to Evolve Recovery Center to learn more about caring, professional alcohol use disorder treatment. You can request help at 888-369-7727 or by completing the form below. One of our team members will answer you immediately, no matter the hour or day. All calls are free and private. We’ll help you get the support you require at once.