Alcohol Use Disorder

Regardless of who you are or how you live your life, you probably don’t want to be called a “drunk” or an “alcoholic.” Sadly, many people can be cruel when it comes to alcohol use disorder, partly because it is so misunderstood. It is often assumed that, because alcohol is legal and widely available to adults, it can’t be that much of a problem. Or, if it does become a problem, it’s more of an outlier that shows “weakness” or a lack of self-control. Sadly, research indicates that about 30 million Americans — or more than 1 in 10 U.S. adults — have a drinking disorder.

Alcohol abuse is far more common and more dangerous than many people realize. And as the addiction worsens, it becomes harder and harder to break free from alcohol dependence. Your mind and body make it increasingly difficult to live without alcohol. When this happens, you must seek professional help to rid yourself of the affliction and lead a clean, sober life.

But if you’re just hearing the term “alcohol use disorder” for the first time, you probably have a few questions. What exactly is it? How is one diagnosed with alcohol use disorder? What are the symptoms? Is it treatable? Finally, where can you go to get professional help?

In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s define the term and explain what “alcohol use disorder” really means:

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a recognized medical condition that can be applied if and when an individual demonstrates a problematic pattern of alcohol consumption. Naturally, “problematic pattern” is a very vague term, and one that some people with AUD may use as a way to get out of treatment. If you’ve ever heard someone say “I don’t have a drinking problem,” then you know why this definition is not sufficient. Some people simply don’t want to admit that they have a problematic pattern of alcohol consumption, even if it’s painfully obvious to the people who care about them.

To better understand alcohol use disorder, it’s beneficial to look to the latest iteration of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). According to the DSM-5, there are 11 criteria that must be present in order for a medical professional to make an official diagnosis of AUD. These criteria include the following:

1. Alcohol is being consumed in large quantities over an extended period of time
2. The user either currently wants to quit drinking or has made unsuccessful attempts to quick drinking in the past
3. A great deal of time is spent on activities or situations related to obtaining, drinking, or recovering from alcohol
4. The user experiences strong or persistent cravings for alcohol
5. Alcohol has caused the user to abandon or fail to meet the obligations of major life responsibilities, particularly those surrounding work, school, and family
6. The user continues to consume alcohol despite negative social or interpersonal consequences
7. Activities or hobbies that were previously important to the user have since been abandoned or reduced as a direct result of alcohol use
8. The user repeatedly uses alcohol in environments or situations that could be dangerous (like driving a car, caring for children, or operating machinery)
9. The user continues to consume alcohol despite knowledge and recognition of a health problem (mental or physical) that was caused or exacerbated by alcohol use
10. Alcohol tolerance has developed so that the user must consume larger quantities of alcohol to achieve the desired effect or state of inebriation
11. Withdrawal symptoms are present whenever the user attempts to stop or reduce drinking, or the user continues to use alcohol specifically to avoid withdrawal symptoms

As you can see, this makes alcohol use disorder much clearer. Though some of these criteria are still somewhat subjective, they are often easy for a medical professional to identify. In many cases, family members can also see all of these signs, though it is always advisable to seek out a diagnosis and treatment from trained professionals.

Alcohol Use Disorder Symptoms

Many of the symptoms of alcohol use disorder are also signs that are used to identify and diagnose the disorder, but there are also more specific symptoms that can come about as a result of AUD. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Strong cravings to drink alcohol
• Difficulty controlling the number of drinks consumed
• An increasing need to drink more and more alcohol
• Withdrawal from family or social gatherings
• If access to alcohol is cut off, symptoms of withdrawal can set in, including anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, and insomnia
• A disproportionate amount of time is spent obtaining or drinking alcohol
• Drinking in spite of negative health or interpersonal consequences
• Dangerous behavior, such as drunk driving or unprotected sex
• Frequent signs of inebriation, including slurred speech, drowsiness, and poor hand-eye coordination

The Benefits Of An Inpatient Alcohol Rehab When Withdrawing From Alcohol

Going to rehab is the only safe, proven method for overcoming a substance use disorder. While there may be other steps involved before or after, like detox or outpatient rehab, inpatient alcohol rehab is the best way to put your addiction behind you for good. Here are just some of the benefits of choosing an inpatient alcohol rehab:

• Safe Environment – When you check into inpatient rehab, you’re essentially surrounding yourself with people who can keep you safe. Trained professionals can help you avoid potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms and get the treatment you need immediately. This is particularly important if you’re still in the detox phase of your recovery.
• Therapy – Recovering from AUD can be isolating, so simply knowing that you have people on your side can be a huge boost for your recovery. At an inpatient rehab, you have trained counselors and substance abuse experts available to talk you through your addiction and help you develop healthy coping mechanisms. Having a set schedule with one-on-one therapy, group sessions, and other activities can also help you turn your life around, one step at a time.
• Holistic Comfort – Rehab isn’t always about finding a direct path to sobriety. It’s also about making sure that you feel as comfortable as possible, especially while getting through the withdrawal phase. This may mean that more holistic exercises and activities to improve your physical and mental well-being could be extremely beneficial. By providing holistic comfort options, a rehab can make it just a little bit easier to overcome an alcohol use disorder.
• Aftercare Planning – It’s not enough to just say you’re going to quit drinking. You need a comprehensive, actionable plan in place to stay sober for life. At a quality inpatient rehab clinic, you can get help and advice from trained professionals to ensure that your plan meets your needs. This way, you can move on from rehab without fearing the outside world.

How To Get Help For Alcohol Use Disorder

Are you struggling to put down the bottle? Does you or a loved one need a plan to get clean from alcohol? If so, Wellbrook Recovery is the answer. We offer comprehensive, compassionate care in a comfortable and private environment so that you can recover in peace.

Don’t let alcohol addiction control your life or the life of a loved one any longer. Contact our confidential alcohol and drug treatment facility at Wellbrook Recovery today. Our expert staff is dedicated to helping you regain control and attain a new lease on life.