I Need Help for my Alcoholism
What is Alcoholism
Alcoholism is the term often used to describe an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
AUD is the medical term that defines an inability to control a drinking habit.
Alcoholism can also be used interchangeably with the term alcohol dependence.
An alcoholic struggles daily and feels like they can’t function without alcohol.
Over time, this can lead to a wide range of personal, professional, physical, and mental health impacts.
Alcoholics seeking treatment will receive continued support throughout recovery.
Guidance and education from trained medical professionals are often invaluable.
Stress and addiction management techniques will help you avoid addictions in the future.
This is the best way to pursue long-term sobriety.
Discover how rehab can help you overcome alcoholism
Why Alcoholism Occurs
Approximately 18 million American adults suffer from an alcohol use disorder.
Many wonder why they’ve developed a dependence when so many others haven’t.
Unfortunately, despite being a normalized substance, alcohol is addictive.
The components in alcohol can and often do alter the user’s brain chemistry.
This makes it harder to overcome for some than it is for others.
There are many different reasons why alcoholism occurs, but some are much more common.
First, genetic predisposition is a very large risk factor in any addiction. Studies attribute 45-65% of the cause for alcohol dependence to genetic factors.
Additionally, related animal studies confirmed these findings. Alcoholism is a subtle and sneaky addiction.
Exposure at an early age can lead an individual to grow up thinking that a reliance on alcohol is normal.
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Alcoholism and High Stress Lifestyles
Others may find that their alcoholism developed out of social or environmental factors like peer pressure.
High-stress jobs or abusive relationships may lead to the same result.
Yet, the presence of an underlying mental health disorder makes it to the top of the list, right behind genetics.
Anxiety and depression, in particular, might lead an individual to abuse alcohol. This is an unhealthy coping mechanism.
The effects of alcohol may provide temporary relief or act as a remedy for these conditions. Over time, both conditions will only get worse.
Alcoholism vs. Alcohol Abuse
Alcoholism is sometimes confused with similar terms, like alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse, or “binge drinking”, is any amount of harmful ingestion of alcohol.
The average American adult might abuse alcohol if they have several drinks in a short amount of time.
This is often done at happy hours, parties, and other gatherings. But alcohol abuse does not always mean alcoholism.
Alcoholism refers more to a dependence than abuse. Someone who abuses alcohol might binge drink and suffer bad hangovers.
The difference is that they can still function the next day.
They’ll work or tend to other obligations without needing to continue drinking. Alternatively, alcoholics might feel that they need more alcohol to function.
This is the case even when performing the most basic tasks.
Identifying an Alcohol Addiction
When it comes to such a normalized substance, it can be hard for an individual to recognize an addiction.
Alcohol is available at holiday parties, birthdays, celebrations, and daily happy hours.
It is often pulled out at celebrations, times of high stress, and other “normal” occasions.
These factors, among others, make an alcohol addiction easy to ignore or deny.
If you believe that you or someone you love is an alcoholic, there are several signs to look out for. Someone suffering from alcoholism might:
- Avoid going anywhere that they won’t be able or allowed to drink
- Build a tolerance that requires increasing the number or amount of drinks to achieve the same effects they felt in the past
- Experience troubling withdrawal symptoms and severe cravings after a short period without alcohol
- Drink to relieve said symptoms
- Notice troubling changes in their behaviors, relationships, or career
An alcohol rehab center can address each of these concerns and many more. Moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms might need inpatient treatment.
Inpatient care often starts with a medically-assisted detox. This way, we can track your progress, ease your pain and discomfort, and remove temptations.
A medically-assisted detox is often the best way to begin a treatment program. These detoxes are effective, safe, and monitored.
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The Effects of Long-term Alcoholism
What may seem harmless now may evolve into a crippling addiction over time.
Shorter-term consequences might include damaged relationships, job losses, accidents, and increased criminal activity.
Many physical and mental health consequences associated with alcoholism may be long-term.
Long-term alcoholism health risks may include:
- Increased blood pressure and risk of heart disease, liver disease, and stroke
- Cancers in the colon, liver, esophagus, throat, mouth, and breasts
- Learning and memory impairments
- Impaired ability to make decisions
- Mental health conditions like increased anxiety or bouts of depression
These are some of the most common health risks of alcoholism but there are many other possible consequences.
Treating addiction as soon as it is caught can help eliminate many of the risks associated with it.
Treatment can help you overcome barriers, gain strength, develop the tools you need to battle your addiction effectively in the long-term, and build support systems that may last a lifetime.
Alcoholism Treatment Options
The most common method of alcoholism treatment is inpatient care. This method provides 24-hour guidance and support for the entirety of your stay.
Additionally, with support groups and a variety of therapies to take part in, inpatient care offers a higher level of structure and support that can’t always be achieved through other methods.
In our alcohol rehab centers at Resurgence Behavioral Health, we offer comprehensive care in a relaxed, safe, and residential environment.
Settings like these give you a good start and increase your chances of success because they eliminate distractions, triggers, and temptations.
Alternatively, some patients may not be ready to commit to an inpatient stay.
Patients with milder addictions, no underlying mental health concerns, and work or family obligations to tend to may be eligible for outpatient care that allows them to continue living at home.
In outpatient care, you’ll visit the facility multiple times per week to receive your alcoholism treatment.
You’ll benefit from many of the same therapies, support groups, and counseling, but with fewer hours, it can’t be as structured.
This is why we recommend inpatient care for moderate or severe addictions.
When you’ve finished your chosen, individualized treatment program, we offer aftercare planning and services for continued care.
Support groups and alumni groups are available, too.
Lasting recovery requires a long-term commitment, and we don’t want any of our patients to feel as if they’ve been abandoned once they’ve graduated from a program.
We are here to offer support and guidance for as long as you need it.
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Resurgence Alcohol Rehab Centers
At Resurgence, we believe in full and well-rounded recovery that is customized to the patient, not the facility.
We offer a wide range of therapies, counseling sessions, support groups, outings, detoxes, and more.
Most of our facilities are only a short distance from a beach, where we may participate in exercise groups, yoga, or meditation.
Our versatile treatment options are researched and proven over several decades.
Please call our friendly admissions coordinators today to get started with your complimentary insurance verification.
They will also provide additional information and answer any questions you may have.
Come find addiction treatment that just works.
