Alcohol is the most widely abused substance in the US. Our team has written helpful articles to help you understand alcoholism and how it affects many people.
Alcoholism or alcohol addiction is characterized by a constant preoccupation with alcohol, and frequent, uncontrolled drinking. Also known as alcohol use disorder, alcoholism indicates a state in which the brain and body have become chemically reliant upon alcohol. People who suffer from alcoholism cannot willfully stop drinking on their own. Even after just six to eight hours of abstinence, many alcoholics develop severe and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms.
Given its widespread consumption and high levels of social acceptance, alcohol is incredibly easy to obtain, and equally difficult to abstain from. Among some of the more common signs of alcoholism is the need to continue drinking even after doing has created extreme personal, professional, or financial problems. Alcoholics often continue to drink after having suffered devastating health changes, job loss, housing loss, and the loss of their marriages or other close relationships. The urge to drink is both compulsive and overwhelming. Without alcohol, heavy drinkers often grow nauseous, dizzy, agitated, nervous, and confused. These and other withdrawal symptoms can continue to progress for days and even weeks unless the right medical interventions are applied.
Much like substance use disorder, alcohol use disorder is a chronic, lifelong illness. Attending addiction treatment for alcoholism is the first step towards freedom. In addiction treatment, alcoholics can find out why they drink to excess, and they can learn safe and successful strategies for managing the underlying causes of their alcoholism. Recovering alcoholics tend to have the highest success rates when maintaining ongoing plans for avoiding relapse, and after aligning themselves with long-term support services.
Alcohol detox and withdrawal typically occur in two distinct phases. The early stage of alcohol detox is largely characterized by intense and potentially dangerous physical withdrawal symptoms. This is known as acute withdrawal. For most people, the acute withdrawal period lasts between one and two weeks. With medical management and the right interventions, the body …
For a person living with alcohol use disorder, quitting suddenly can be incredibly dangerous. In fact, within just six to eight hours of a person’s last drink, early withdrawal symptoms can set in. These commonly include shaking, sweating, nausea, and other signs of physical distress. Unfortunately, if these early changes aren’t identified and medically managed …
Detoxing from alcohol isn’t easy. This is especially true for people who attempt to tackle this herculean task without support. Once the brain and body have become chemically dependent upon alcohol, taking it away suddenly can be downright dangerous. The good news is that the rewards of detoxing are always well-worth the efforts. Becoming sober …
Heavy alcohol use often takes a visible toll. Not only do heavy, regular drinkers look worse for the wear, but they frequently suffer from serious legal and financial issues. From DUI charges and difficulty making it to work on time, the typical alcoholic can be easy to spot. Moreover, when alcoholism is obvious, people tend …
Although the terms alcohol addiction and alcohol dependence are often used interchangeably, the two are actually quite different. With dependence, people are still capable of making conscious decisions about their drinking. With addiction, drinking is an uncontrollable habit and one that affects every corner of the individual’s life. Despite this distinction, both can have serious …
If you remember your very first sip of alcohol, you probably recall its pungent smell, and its sharp, acrid-seeming taste. On its own, alcohol is rarely appealing to the palate, especially for those who are just experimenting with it. Because of this, consumers and bartenders have devised countless ways for softening, refining, and even concealing …
Alcohol addiction can feel like an intensely private issue. In fact, many people living with alcohol use disorder go to great extremes to hide their problems from those around them. They might do the majority of drinking in private or away from the home, and they may make every effort to maintain their jobs, their …
Alcohol withdrawal is undeniably the most challenging and intimidating part of the recovery process. People who’ve been using alcohol to mute their physical and emotional pain are generally reticent to face this extended period of discomfort. Fear of the unknown can make this first and absolutely essential stage of recovery all the less appealing. At …
Most adults have an alcoholic beverage at some point in their lives. In many areas and cultures, reaching the legal drinking age and celebrating by imbibing with friends is a right-of-passage. Countless households regularly serve wine with dinner, and going out for a drink after work with colleagues, family members, or significant others is incredibly …
Drinking alcohol is a socially accepted practice. In fact, alcohol is rarely difficult to find. In addition to being offered at restaurants, bars, and comedy clubs, it’s even sold at grocery stores. Alcohol is freely served at weddings, and at many other social events. Thus, it’s not uncommon for people to have a drink or …
Most people will consume alcohol at some point in their lives. Alcohol is incredibly accessible, socially accepted, and in many settings, nearly impossible to avoid. However, while some people find it easy to moderate their alcohol consumption, others face a near-constant, overwhelming urge to drink. For many of these individuals, drinking is all about getting …
The smell of their breath or the lateness of the hour give away the secret. Sometimes speech is loud and boisterous. Other times the words arrive like marbles rolling jumbled through slurred speech and discoordination. A family member, someone you truly love and care for, has been drinking again. It’s a helpless mixture of frustration …
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