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Every year, the number of people with alcohol use disorder is on the rise. Nearly 1% of the total global population already suffers from severe alcoholism. Despite the region, gender, race, or age, alcohol dependence is an evil that needs to be removed from the face of the earth.
As per the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a significant part of addicts who drink alcohol believe that a recovery is impossible. This lack of hope and conviction pushes them further into binge drinking and even more alcohol problems.
The various Centers for Disease Control and Substance Abuse Prevention promise that alcohol consumption and the resultant addiction can be treated completely. They also believe that intelligent recovery is possible even in patients who suffer from extreme alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
The sections below attempt to give a clear picture of the path of recovery for alcohol addicts to stop drinking gradually. We also expect to guide you through the various treatments for alcohol and drug addiction available.
Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Use Disorder, Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Is the Door to Recovery Too Far?
You might feel incredibly powerless once you develop an alcohol dependence. You will no longer be behaving under your free will. It will be the drive to consume alcohol that guides your thoughts and behavior. Being recovered from alcohol intoxication might be a dream of many addicts. But they might be lost without little to no guidance as to how to put a stop to excessive alcohol use.
Well, the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has created clear steps and guidelines to help prevent addicts from drinking too much alcohol. With the proper following of the guidelines, it is possible to gradually reduce the consumption of alcohol and problems caused by alcohol misuse.
Before proceeding to the insights on the treatment of alcoholism, it is essential to understand the basics associated with alcohol dependence. Having enough understanding of problematic alcohol use is crucial in the diagnosis of alcohol-dependent individuals.
Alcohol Use Disorder| Alcohol Addiction| Alcoholism: Basics
Alcohol Use Disorder or alcohol addiction is the condition in which the patient finds it extremely difficult to control their urge for regular alcohol intake. Individuals with alcohol use disorder will engage in alcohol drinking constantly, and the alcohol content in their blood will be pretty high.
Experts consider alcohol use disorder as a brain anomaly. So, it might be challenging for the addict to reduce alcohol consumption very quickly. Alcohol addiction is a chronic condition. The patients will be able to treat alcohol addiction only through proper guidelines.
Behavioral therapies, support groups, etc., are necessary to make positive changes in the brain of a person with chronic alcohol misuse history. The treatment plans’ effectiveness depends on the disorder level the patient has.
There are three different levels of alcohol use disorder. They are as follows.
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
People with only mild signs of alcohol addiction can use abstinence as a primary method for recovery. But in the severe category, where people with heavy alcohol use are included, proper medication is necessary.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction: How to Identify People with Alcohol Use Disorder?
The signs and symptoms may vary among different levels of alcoholics. However, people who consume more alcohol than the recommended levels can be identified with some common behavioral patterns. Some of the most prominent signs and symptoms in someone addicted to alcohol or high blood alcohol concentration are as follows.
- High tolerance to alcohol
- Difficulty to engage in day-to-day activities without consuming alcohol
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Absence of social life
- Repeated alcohol use despite adverse social experiences
- Binge drinking
- Recognisable pattern of alcohol use
- High blood alcohol levels
- High economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption
- Neglect towards responsibilities
- Unacceptable behavior at social gatherings
Health Problems and Other Effects of Alcohol: How Alcohol Affects Humans?
Alcohol use among children or adults can bring in dangerous results healthwise. A lot of alcohol addicts end up messing up their physical health and living the rest of their lives with a vulnerable body. Substance abuse and mental health issues are also related to each other. The problems with alcohol can destroy a person’s physical, mental, and emotional health.
Alcohol can cause almost all the body organs of a person to suffer. Alcohol overdose or alcohol intoxication results in the destruction of the entire human body. It starts affecting the brain of the consumer and limits the brain’s ability to make rational decisions.
The emotional instability caused by the high amount of alcohol consumption can lead to personal and professional problems. Someone with an alcohol addiction can find it difficult to deliver their responsibilities. Gradually, they start to alienate themselves from society.
In short, complications of alcohol do not just end with physical issues. It can lead to the downfall of a person in all possible aspects. Along with affecting a person individually, alcohol can also ruin the lives of the people around them. The emotional trauma that a person preoccupied with alcohol causes on their dear and near is very high.
Treatment for Alcohol Dependence: NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator and More Interventions
Most alcohol addicts find it difficult to stop or control alcohol use. But with the right professional help, it is possible to control alcohol use despite adverse withdrawal symptoms. The most significant risk of alcohol treatment is the symptoms and causes that can occur as part of the withdrawal.
In several patients with severe use of alcohol, the sudden stop of alcohol may trigger violent behavior. The body will start to react very negatively during the initial stages of alcohol treatment. The possibility of alcohol use disorder relapse is also very high throughout and after the treatment. However, it is the responsibility of the patient to abstain from alcohol as per professional instruction.
Following are the current treatment or recovery options available for alcoholics across the globe.
- Behavioral therapy or treatment
- Medication
- Counseling
- Support groups
The most important thing to be taken care of as part of alcohol treatment is to avail the help of a licensed and registered health practitioner or clinic. As mentioned, alcoholism can be life-threatening. Getting the right help can save the life of a patient.
Many organizations offer credible and effective services for people suffering from alcohol-related problems. Some of them are as follows.
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
- National Association for Children of Alcoholics
- National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- SMART Recovery
- Women for Sobriety
Final Word
It is crucial to understand that alcohol treatment is not something that will be done in weeks or months. In some people, it may take years and years to reach the position of sobriety finally. But the door to recovery is not very far. The alcoholics are supposed to take only one step at a time and be present throughout the recovery journey. Even if the patient relapses into alcohol addiction, try to put up repeated attempts to maintain abstinence with professional help.
FAQs
SMART Recovery is a program that helps individuals to maintain abstinence from alcohol throughout their lives. The full form of SMART is Self Management and Recovery Training. The program encourages the addicts to make positive changes in their lives that help with maintaining sobriety.
Women for Sobriety is an initiative that aims to help addicted women come back to their lives. The initiative offers women enough help to overcome the challenges that come their way.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is the condition in which a child gets a kind of alcohol poisoning when in the mother's womb. The condition occurs in carrying mothers who are at risk of alcohol use disorder. The high alcohol content in the mother's body can cause fetal alcohol syndrome and deliver a child with many health issues, both physical and mental.
