What is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

Increased alcohol consumption leads to substance misuse and lifelong dependence. Individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) no longer control their urges and continue drinking even when their behavior starts to affect their relationships and careers. Even if a person decides to stop, withdrawal symptoms cause strong discomfort, which leads to a relapse.

AUD results in a host of daily problems that are unlikely to get resolved unless one goes through a treatment program and completely transforms one’s mindset. Embracing a healthy lifestyle and demonstrating a commitment to abstinence facilitate achieving success. In this guide, we will consider the consequences of this condition and analyze the efficient ways of dealing with it.

What is AUD?

Alcohol use disorder is a widespread ailment among both teenagers and adults alike. It puts wellbeing at significant risk and may involve binge drinking when a person has 4–5 drinks within a short period. According to statistics, 10.9% of adults suffer from AUD. Becoming aware of the problem is not easy, especially if an individual has an environment tolerant of high intoxicant intake. Noticing uncommon behaviors is the first step toward progress.

People with AUD find it nearly impossible to stop consuming booze even when they see the negative ramifications of their actions. There are three stages:

• Mild
• Moderate
• Severe

Addicted people deploy multiple result-yielding strategies, combining prescribed remedies with behavioral therapy sessions. The success of every approach depends on will and dedication. Individuals with AUD who are serious about getting better can stop consuming such beverages completely.

Addicted individuals with an impaired capacity to control their actions face adverse repercussions. Alcoholism severely affects brain functioning and cognitive abilities. Heavy drinkers face many threats trying to battle their cravings. They often relapse after reducing beverage consumption. However, time-tested methods based on real evidence have demonstrated their high efficiency and given hope to millions of patients.

Men should have no more than two drinks per day to stay within a healthy limit. Women should limit themselves to one drink per day. Learning when to stop is essential to maintain sobriety and stay in great shape.

Break free from alcohol addiction and take the first step today!

Begin your journey to recovery and take back control of your future.

Common Ways to Diagnose Alcohol Use Disorder

When visiting a healthcare practitioner, one should agree to a physical examination, as it facilitates identifying the symptoms and addressing the causes. Medical professionals typically rely on DSM-5 criteria designed to detect the signs of neurological disorder and specify its stage. People who meet 2–3 criteria are considered to have mild AUD. The severe stage is when symptoms match 6 or more criteria. A provider is likely to inquire a patient about the following topics:

• Drinking habits: It’s pivotal to discover how often an individual drinks beer and spirits. In some cases, additional interviews with friends and relatives are also necessary.
• Physical state: A patient should answer truthfully to all health-related questions, as it allows professionals to identify possible complications.
• Cognitive condition: During a psychological evaluation, a person completes a questionnaire to detect symptoms, negative feelings, triggers, and behaviors.

In addition, one should take lab tests to diagnose the ailment and discover the issues causing dependence. This is also crucial to find out whether organs were affected.

Factors Amplifying the Risk

People who are prone to AUD frequently find themselves in unfavorable circumstances that drive them to increase the consumption of intoxicants. Many individuals with AUD have cognitive problems, suffer from depression, and lack a safe environment. Trying to suppress the feeling of chronic pain and emotional discomfort leads to heavy drinking. Other common factors include:

• Early onset: Teens who start to consume booze before age 15 are 3 times more likely to have alcohol use disorder than young adults who wait until 21. The threat is even worse for women, which exemplifies the importance of introducing preventive measures to minimize the impact of inebriants on young adults.
• Genetics: If you have family members who drink a lot, you may have a genetic profile making you vulnerable to this condition. However, the environment plays a crucial role. Participating in a treatment program and then staying at a sober house to get support from peers could be the only way for such individuals to recover.
• Mental state: Depression, childhood memories, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other factors increase the probability of becoming addicted.
• Cultural background and social circle: In some communities, drinking is seen positively. Besides, a person who has a loved one or friends with this problem often has an alcohol use disorder.
• Drinking over a long period: Even if one never exceeds the recommended daily dose but drinks regularly, it can cause addiction.
• Bariatric surgery: Some researchers argue that it enhances the likelihood of AUD and subsequent relapse.

The combination of these factors amplifies their negative impact and results in serious dependence.

Main AUD Symptoms

The usage of DSM-5 allows healthcare professionals to accurately evaluate whether a patient has AUD and specify the severity of this condition. They ask questions about:

• The times when a patient drank more than intended;
• The attempts to stop abuse heavy drinks;
• Being sick from consuming too much liquor or wine;
• Uncontrolled cravings;
• The problems in relationships with family and friends;
• The loss of interest in the activities;
• The situations when drinking led to taking unnecessary risks;
• Memory loss and hallucinations;
• Ways of dealing with anxiety and depression.

Besides, a person should be able to recognize alcohol withdrawal signs. They include distorted sleep patterns, sweating, nausea, an increased heartbeat, a general feeling of being unwell, or seizures. If multiple signs are present, it could be a cause of serious concern.

Complications of AUD

It is challenging to recognize the early symptoms of dangerous conditions caused by AUD. Alcohol has a strong negative impact on the central nervous system. An addict gradually becomes more apathetic and indifferent to the consequences of their actions. Hard drink misuse also affects speech, coordination, and brain reactions. The worst outcome is death.

People suffering from alcoholism make poor life choices and have reduced judgment capacity. They often get in car accidents, drown, commit violent crimes, demonstrate unsatisfactory grades or work achievements, have relationship issues, or consume other substances. They struggle to find stable employment. Women with AUD are in a higher danger of becoming victims of rape. AUD also causes suicidal thoughts. Drinking too much results in such issues:

• Liver disease: Inflammation, increased fat, and other complications cause cirrhosis, which significantly affects a patient’s quality of life.
• Digestive issues: The inflammation makes it impossible for the body to get a sufficient amount of nutrients.
• Cardiovascular problems: A high risk of stroke, arrhythmia, and enlarged heart can significantly affect outcomes.
• Diabetes: Frequent intoxicant consumption makes it difficult for the liver to release glucose. As a result, the blood sugar level becomes dangerously low.
• Sexual problems: Men experience erectile dysfunction. Women often have issues with irregular menstrual periods and may miscarry a baby if they get pregnant.

Besides, alcohol use disorder often causes issues with eyesight, bones, nervous and immune systems. Long-term inebriant abuse is associated with a higher occurrence of cancer and decreased effectiveness of commonly used medications.

Efficient Prevention Strategies

Early intervention has a significant impact on teenagers, as it can fully transform their lives. When young people start to drink too much, they lose interest in their looks and leisure pursuits, start getting lower grades, and demonstrate defensive behavior. To avoid such issues, parents should behave as role models. It’s essential to discuss everything openly with a child.

Adults should also take steps to avoid alcohol addiction. Choosing the right environment, avoiding getting into situations when they experience peer pressure to exceed their daily intake limit, and discussing the symptoms with a specialist are crucial steps toward better health.

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

There are multiple evidence-based methods of dealing with AUD. While it’s impossible to find a standardized approach to reduce dependence, combining multiple inpatient and outpatient strategies facilitates avoiding relapses. A patient can enroll in special programs, visit therapy sessions, and make regular appointments with medical professionals. Below, we have outlined the main strategies for those who suffer from alcohol abuse:

• Medications: Healthcare specialists prescribe pills that help people either stop or limit substance intake. Besides, such prescribed drugs enable individuals to deal with a relapse. They are non-addictive, which makes them perfect for those who participate in various programs.
• Behavioral treatment: Visiting counseling sessions and therapy groups organized by licensed professionals is an efficient way to change drinking habits. Such interventions help build resilience, find motivation, learn how to deal with triggers, and practice mindfulness.
• Support groups: Peer assistance is invaluable for those who do not have a close circle of friends and family members sharing their aspirations. Such groups are useful for individuals who have already gone through medical treatment programs.

Dealing with severe cases of alcohol use disorder requires getting medical help, as this stage could be accompanied by the manifestation of a life-threatening discontinuation syndrome and mental health issues.

Struggling with addiction?

Recovering is a long and challenging process, but you don’t have to be alone. We are here to guide you and offer a safe and substance-free environment to regain control of your life and create a new path for your future.

Achieving Sustainable Results

Recognizing the risk of alcohol misuse and learning how to deal with setbacks improves the chances of battling AUD. Finding inner strength, learning how to set the right boundaries, and discovering the things that inspire and motivate are necessary to succeed. Behavioral therapies allow patients experiencing an alcohol use disorder to acquire a set of necessary skills to battle stress and anxiety.

Eco Sober understands the importance of finding a safe and supportive environment where an individual can recuperate without feeling judged. The recovery journey is a lifelong process, so finding a way to withstand pressure, discover your limits, and learn how to control urges is instrumental to getting healthier. Get in touch with our team today and discover how to benefit from our housing program.