What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Middlesex
September 24, 2024
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Middlesex
Many people enjoy alcoholic drinks on occasion. But alcohol can be addictive. If you use alcohol to deal with life or find you’re unable to control your drinking, you may have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This disorder can swifty dominate your life and have a adverse impact on all the things you previously enjoyed.
But don’t lose hope. If you suspect you or someone you love have alcohol use disorder near Middlesex, care and lasting recovery are within reach. Find out more about AUD and the steps to take if you need guidance right away.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is an illness where you feel the urge to drink alcohol despite the adverse consequences of overuse. Your brain craves the mind-altering chemicals in alcohol and no longer functions properly without them. AUD might be anywhere from mild to severe. At its most intense, you are in danger of overdosing with fatal repercussions.
As a result of AUD, you might become addicted to alcohol and suffer unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop using. Without skilled support, you cannot stop yourself from ingesting alcohol to ease the discomfort your body experiences when you try to detox from alcohol. If you do manage to quit “cold turkey,” you still must combat the habit of consistent drinking. AUD needs skilled treatment to recover completely.
Why Are Some People Impacted By Alcohol Use Disorder?
Many residents of Middlesex drink, but not every person develops an alcohol use disorder. A variety of factors influence your odds of being impacted by AUD:
- Drinking at an early age
- Underlying mental health disorders
- Past trauma
- Inadequate coping skills
- Genetics
- Family history of alcohol addiction
Countless individuals begin overusing alcohol as a result of major stressors. In the absence of healthy coping mechanisms, it’s easy to erase the uneasy feelings that stem from trauma and mental illness with the brain-altering effects of alcohol. When those feelings come back, you turn to alcohol to shut them down again. You feel temporarily better when using alcohol.
Regrettably, alcohol is never a solution. When you consume it habitually, you might become dependent on those chemicals to function. When you go without them, you feel more unpleasant than you did peviously and are urged to drink even more. Soon, drinking alcohol dominates your life and unfavorably impacts your health, relationships, finances, career and pastimes. Once you’re caught in this downward spiral, you cannot quit drinking without expert treatment.
What Are Alcohol Addiction Symptoms?
Continual drinking doesn’t necessarily mean you have a disorder. Alcohol use progresses into a disorder when it begins interfering with your life. Many negative behaviors connected with drinking can signal an alcohol use disorder.
You may have AUD if you:
- Frequently drink in excess of or longer than you planned
- Can’t cease drinking even when you want to
- Spend much time acquiring and drinking alcohol, even when it makes you ill or impedes other parts of life
- Crave alcohol so much you aren’t able to focus on other obligations
- Have participated in dangerous behaviors while under the influence of alcohol
- Must drink more than you did previously in order to achieve the desired feeling
- Have given up activities you used to enjoy to make time for drinking
- Persistent drinking despite its influence on friends and family
- Experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol
The more symptoms of AUD you have, the more serious your case is. But any individual who’s showing signals of alcohol addiction symptoms near Middlesex is entitled to professional treatment and care. You don’t have to take on alcohol use disorder by yourself.
What You Should Know About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you are addicted to alcohol, your body must have it to function. If you halt usage, you get sick. This is called withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary for each person and depend on your level of alcohol usage. If you go into withdrawal, you could experience any of these symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Feelings of anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Rapid heart rate
- Fever
- Increased blood pressure
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are an obvious indication that you or a loved one has AUD and requires help. Withdrawal is often agonizing and, in severe cases, even lethal if not addressed by medical providers. If an individual you know| desires to stop using alcohol but endures withdrawal whenever they make an attempt, turn to a Middlesex substance use treatment provider for help.
Can Alcohol Addiction Be “Cured”?
Alcohol use disorder and addiction are known as chronic conditions. Technically, there isn’t a cure. But, there is a chance for enduring recovery. With a customized combination of mental health and medical treatment, you can learn to control the impulse to drink and attain a sober lifestyle. It’s an arduous process, but numerous individuals overcome alcohol use disorder in Middlesex and take back control of their lives.
Getting Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment In Middlesex
Nobody can achieve sobriety on their own–and you don’t have to! Getting alcohol use disorder treatment near Middlesex can be unnerving, but you are entitled to professional support to help get your life back.
Alcohol use recovery might feel more doable when you look at it as several steps. You won’t find single road to a sober life. Many people endure relapses and repeat certain steps more than once. But you should know, you can get help from loved ones and accredited practitioners throughout your recovery.
Alcohol detox: Your initial step is to detox from alcohol. When your system eliminates the toxins, you require medical observation that keeps you safe and relaxed. When you’re prepared to stop your alcohol use, seek admittance to a residential detox center near Middlesex. You’ll benefit from round-the-clock guidance for one or two weeks as you go through withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab: After you detox, your mind and body will still want alcohol. You will need to proceed to residential alcohol rehab where medical staff can help you manage post-acute withdrawal. Alcohol rehab emphasizes repairing your brain from the impact of alcohol usage. You’ll participate in several hours of therapy every day to address the mental side of AUD. You’ll stay in rehab as long as you need.
Outpatient addiction treatment: Rehab will get you stable enough to go home, but you’ll still need ongoing support to keep on a path of sobriety. Don’t depart rehab without starting an outpatient addiction program that offers therapy and medically guided treatment. You can reside at home or at a sober living facility, but you still need to visit therapists and a doctor over the course of the week.
Sober living: n time, your need for treatment will taper off. But, recovery is a long-term undertaking. Tap into the network of addiction experts, family members, and new confidants you have put together to continue living a healthy way of life. Avoid situations that push you to drink. Find assistance whenever you need it. Long-term recovery can be achieved!
Find Help Now For Alcohol Use Disorder Near Middlesex
You don’t need to grapple with alcohol addiction on your own. Talk to The Counseling Center at Middlesex to find understanding, expert alcohol use disorder treatment near Middlesex. You can reach us at 732-629-9510 or by filling out the form below. One of our team members will respond right away, no matter the day or time. Your call is free and confidential. We’ll help you get the support you require now.