Alcohol Addiction: Signs, Complications, and Recovery

Regardless of the type of support system, it’s helpful to get involved in at least one when getting sober. Sober communities can help someone struggling with alcohol addiction deal with the challenges of sobriety in day-to-day life. Sober communities can also share relatable experiences and offer new, healthy friendships. And these communities make the person with an alcohol addiction accountable and provide a place to turn to if there is a relapse. Alcohol use disorder is considered a progressive disease, meaning that the effects of drinking alcohol become increasingly more severe over time.

Behavioral symptoms of excessive drinking

Making such a significant life change can cause emotional turmoil, including guilt for past behaviors or burdening others. Binge drinking is when you drink enough alcohol to raise your blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. For men, that typically is about five standard alcoholic drinks within a few hours; for women, this is four alcoholic drinks within the same period. Having support and seeking professional treatment increases the chances for recovery from AUD. Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide support for people who are recovering.

People who are addicted to alcohol may also show a deteriorating physical appearance from poor nutrition and personal neglect. Are you wondering whether your drinking is on the high side of normal or if it’s crossed the line into a problem? If any of the following scenarios seem familar, it might be time to make some changes.

These include increased heart rate, sweating, anxiety, tremors, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, and insomnia. In more severe cases, people may also have seizures or hallucinations. Though at-risk and binge drinking can result in a range of adverse consequences, not all people who engage in these kinds of unhealthy alcohol use have alcohol use disorder. In general, alcohol consumption is considered too much—or unhealthy—when it causes health or social problems.

Why is alcohol-related liver disease known as a silent killer?

An antiseizure drug called topiramate may diminish the reinforcing effects of alcohol. Alcohol treatment is an „off-label“ use of topiramate, which means the FDA has not formally approved it for this use. Also not approved by the FDA, there is limited evidence that baclofen, a drug used to treat muscle spasticity, could help people quit alcohol use. Once an individual commits to stop drinking, the physician will watch out for and treat withdrawal symptoms. During the withdrawal process, the doctor may prescribe a class of antianxiety drugs called benzodiazepines for a short period in order to reduce withdrawal symptoms. And their success may lead people to overlook their drinking.

It can be hard to identify the lines between casual and occasional drinking and unhealthy alcohol use including alcohol use disorder. If AUD is not treated, it can increase your risk for serious health problems. After completing treatment for AUD, it’s possible to have a risk of relapse. It’s important to recognize warning signs and seek help if you’re concerned about having a relapse.

Alcohol misuse refers to single episodes during which you might drink excessively. When this occurs repeatedly over time, and when it begins to impact your health and your life, alcohol misuse can become AUD. The disorder can also be broken down further into mild, moderate, and severe subtypes. At the end of the day, the signs and symptoms of alcoholism may differ depending on the stage of alcoholism and the type of alcoholic. But a good indicator of an alcohol addiction is when something is “out of whack” in your life, according to Dr. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

1. While people with this condition may start drinking again, studies show that with treatment, most people are able to reduce how much they drink or stop drinking entirely.
2. A hallmark of the disorder is that the person continues to drink despite the problems that alcohol causes.
3. The classic picture of someone with alcohol use disorder is someone who always drinks too much and whose life is falling apart because of it.
4. There’s also getting the alcohol, feeling sick after you drink, and recovering from the effects later.

Regardless of how the addiction looks, someone typically has an alcohol addiction if they heavily rely on drinking and can’t stay sober for an extended period of time. The severity of the disease, how often someone drinks, and the alcohol they consume varies from person to person. Some people drink heavily all day, while others binge drink and then stay sober for a while.

Lifestyle Changes

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other 12-step programs can offer that social support. There are regular, free group meetings in steve harwell alcoholism most cities and towns. Alongside other therapies, such groups can play a critical role.

Two of three people seeking treatment do reduce their intake and improve their overall health. Some people will go through periods where they remain sober, but then relapse. Like many other substance use disorders, alcohol use disorder is a chronic and sometimes relapsing condition that reflects changes in the brain. This means that when people with the disorder are abstaining from alcohol, they are still at increased risk of resuming unhealthy alcohol consumption, even if years have passed since their last drink.

See your doctor if you begin to engage in behaviors that are signs of alcohol use disorder or if you think that you may have a problem with alcohol. You should also consider attending a local AA meeting or participating in a self-help program such as Women for Sobriety. You may need to seek treatment at an inpatient facility if your addiction to alcohol is severe.