24/7 help is available 855-799-6869
24/7 help is available 855-799-6869
Did you know that 18 million adult Americans have an alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to the latest alcohol statistics?
Alcohol abuse has been related to early mortality and a variety of other infectious diseases. In addition, it is a significant risk factor for mental disorders, coronary artery disease, liver problems, and cancer that could otherwise be avoided.
Other terms for alcohol use disorder (AUD) are alcoholism, alcohol addiction, or alcohol dependence. This disease leads to many different health problems and alcohol-related injuries.
Are you interested in getting a fresh perspective on your drinking habits? Then take our ‘Am I An Alcoholic Quiz’ to find out more and get assistance.
At times, it may be difficult to draw a boundary between healthy alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse. You could take a comprehensive self-test answering ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to help you assess the level of your alcohol intake.
This test should be used as an educational tool. It is based on the DSM-5 criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder. It is not a replacement for a proper diagnosis of any mental health disorder. If you are experiencing substance abuse issues, please contact a professional as soon as you can.
Throughout history, alcoholism has had many names. These include alcohol abuse, alcohol dependency, and alcohol disease. However, alcohol use disorder is the term used nowadays to describe this condition.
Alcohol use disorder, including a degree of alcohol intake that’s often referred to as alcoholism.
People who suffer from AUD will carry on drinking alcohol even if doing so has adverse effects. These negative effects may include losing their job or ruining their relationships with the folks they care about. They may be aware that their alcohol use has a detrimental impact on their life, but this is frequently not enough to convince them to quit drinking.
Affecting your health or safety by drinking too much alcohol is considered unhealthy alcohol use. Also, drinking too much alcohol can create other alcohol-related complications.
If your habit of drinking causes you to have considerable discomfort and difficulty functioning in your everyday life regularly, you are most certainly suffering from alcohol use disorder. It may vary from a moderate to a severe form. However, even a minor condition can worsen and cause severe problems, making early treatment critical.
The exact cause of alcohol consumption disorder is still a mystery to researchers.
That said, AUD occurs when a person drinks enough alcohol to cause chemical changes in the brain. These chemical changes increase the pleasant emotions associated with alcohol use. That makes you want to drink more often, even if it is harmful to your health.
Eventually, the pleasant sensations connected with alcohol use fade away. A person suffering from an alcohol use disorder will carry on drinking to avoid the effects of withdrawal. These side effects can be very unpleasant, and in some cases, even dangerous to experience.
Alcohol consumption disorder is usually a long-term condition that develops slowly and gradually. Therefore, you can pass down AUD from generation to generation.
A mix of genetic, ecological, psychological, and social variables may cause an alcohol drinking problem. There are several of these factors that are still under investigation. However, the following are some of the most prevalent risk factors.
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol indeed alters how the brain works. It alters the part of the brain responsible for enjoyment, reasoning, and self-control. It also causes alcohol cravings.
Compared to the general population, children of parents who suffer from alcohol use disorder are 2 to 6 times more likely to acquire AUD. There is a good chance that this elevated risk is attributable to genetics and genetic and behavioral factors that family members share.
According to research, childhood trauma relates to an elevated chance of developing AUD in adulthood. These include psychological abuse, sex abuse, physical abuse, emotional maltreatment, and physical neglect.
People who have a mental illness have been shown to have greater rates of alcohol abuse. Anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder are examples of mental illnesses that fall under this category.
When one’s family and friends frequently drink, and one’s spouse and other role models, one’s chance of getting an AUD is increased. That is particularly true if the person’s exposed to excessive drinking from an early age.
Diet is yet another essential element that affects the danger of alcohol on the body’s health. There are many ways in which alcohol and nutrition may interact.
Heavy alcohol use may have a negative effect on diet. Alcohol is a complicated dietary component that seems to have a variety of appetite-regulating effects. Due to the inability to decrease food intake in reaction to alcohol-derived energy, moderate alcohol use is a cause for concern in weight management.
Alcohol use disorder indicators are based on the behavioral and physical consequences of alcohol addiction.
These include :
People who suffer from alcohol consumption disorder could also develop physical symptoms.
These include :
Alcoholism is a chronic and frequently progressive illness that affects the brain. You define alcoholism as an intense urge to drink despite the obstacles mentioned above.
Alcohol-related issues may manifest themselves in varying degrees of severity. These range from minor and irritating to life-threatening. Even though AUD is the most severe stage, less severe drinking issues may be just as hazardous. Read on to find out more about the various kinds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define moderate drinking as one drink or less for women and 2 drinks or fewer for men.
In comparison to binge drinking, moderate drinking consists of four or fewer drinks on a single occasion or eight or fewer drinks over a week.
Unhealthy alcohol use also includes binge drinking. What is binge drinking? When a man drinks five or more drinks within two hours, or when a female consumes at least four drinks within two hours, this is referred to as a binge-drinking pattern. Severe health consequences are a result of Binge drinking.
Another colloquial definition of binge drinking is just drinking to get drunk! The drinking of alcohol in large quantities is the most frequent drinking problem among young individuals under 21, typically college students.
The majority of heavy drinkers have been linked to alcoholism. They are often in a continuous state of longing for alcohol and are unable to control their drinking.
Heavy drinkers, like binge drinkers, may suffer fatal health issues. These include cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatic inflammation, cardiac arrest, and hypertension. They may, however, die in extreme instances.
Alcohol use disorder may be diagnosed by a doctor or other healthcare professional. They’ll do a medical examination and inquire about your drinking habits.
Additionally, your doctor may utilize a questionnaire to check for alcohol use disorder. That will assist in diagnosing your problem if you have one.
Typically, no additional kind of diagnostic test is required for the diagnosis of AUD. However, the possibility exists that your doctor may request blood tests to evaluate your liver function if you exhibit any indications of liver disease.
The consumption of alcohol may cause severe and long-lasting harm to your liver. For your liver to function properly, it must remove toxins from your bloodstream.
When you drink excessive amounts of alcohol, your liver has a more difficult time processing the alcohol and other poisons out of your body. That may result in liver damage as well as other health problems.
Treatment for alcohol consumption disorder differs from person to person, and there are many methods to achieve it. Each technique aims to assist you in quitting drinking completely. This is referred to as abstinence.
Treatment may be administered in phases and may contain the following components:
There are a few medications that your doctor can give you to help you with your treatment. These medications are beneficial in the treatment of alcohol consumption disorders.
Naltrexone is only administered when someone has completed an alcohol detoxification program. This class of medication acts by inhibiting specific brain receptors linked with the alcoholic “rush.” In combination with counseling, this type of drug may help minimize a person’s craving for alcohol.
Acamprosate is a drug that may assist in reestablishing the brain’s pre-alcohol chemical condition. Additionally, this medication should be used in conjunction with treatment.
Disulfiram – Antabuse is a prescription medication that produces extreme discomfort. It could induce nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and headaches whenever a person drinks alcohol.
If your alcohol intake is serious, you may need to get treatment in an inpatient facility. These institutions will offer you 24-hour care throughout your alcohol detox and recovery.
Once you are allowed to leave the treatment center, you must continue receiving therapy through an outpatient program.
It is a tough road to travel when recovering from an alcohol consumption problem. However, your perspective is dependent upon your capacity to give up drinking.
Many individuals who seek therapy are successful in overcoming their addiction. However, it goes without saying that a strong support system is critical for a full recovery.
Additionally, your prognosis will be determined by the health problems that have arisen due to your drinking. For example, alcohol use disorder may cause significant liver damage. Additionally, it may lead to extra health problems.
Including:
It would help if you always mentioned your alcohol consumption when visiting a doctor for a medical condition, such as a digestive problem. If you do not mention it, it is more difficult for a doctor to identify the cause of your problem.
The good news is that the majority of individuals who suffer from AUD will recover with treatment. That treatment is often combined with behavioral therapy, medications, and counseling.
If you are unsure whether you suffer from AUD, why not take an ‘Am I an Alcoholic quiz.’ After that, it would be best to consider looking into a treatment center and participating in a self-help program.
Get help now in California for you or a close one dealing with AUD!
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