What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Philadelphia
September 24, 2024
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Philadelphia
An abundance of people enjoy alcoholic refreshments now and then. But alcohol can be addictive. If you start consuming alcohol to get through life or cannot manage your drinking, you may have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This disorder can swifty overtake your life and adversely impact all the things you previously enjoyed.
But don’t lose hope. If you feel you or someone you love have alcohol use disorder near Philadelphia, treatment and lasting recovery are possible. Find out more about AUD and what you should do if you require support right now.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is an illness where you feel compelled to use alcohol despite the detrimental consequences of overconsumption. Your brain seeks alcohol’s mind-altering qualities and fails to perform adequately without them. AUD can be anywhere from mild to severe. At its most extreme, you are at risk of overdosing on alcohol with potentially deadly consequences.
When going through AUD, you might become addicted to alcohol and have uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if you attempt to stop using. Without expert support, you can’t keep yourself from drinking alcohol to ease the unease your body experiences when you detox from alcohol. If you can stop “cold turkey,” you still must counter the habit of consistent drinking. AUD requires specialized treatment to recover completely.
Why Are Some People Burdened By Alcohol Use Disorder?
Many people in Philadelphia drink, but not everyone develops an alcohol use disorder. A variety of factors contribute to your risk of being impacted by AUD:
- Drinking early in life
- Underlying mental health conditions
- Past trauma
- Inadequate coping skills
- Genetics
- Family history of alcohol addiction
Many people begin overusing alcohol in response to major stressors. In the absence of positive coping mechanisms, it’s simple to counteract the difficult feelings that emerge from trauma and mental illness with the mind-altering effects of alcohol. If those unwanted feelings return, you turn to alcohol to shut them down again. You feel temporarily better when using alcohol.
Regrettably, alcohol is not ever a solution. When you use it habitually, you might become dependent on those chemicals to go about life. Without them, you feel worse than you did peviously and are compelled to drink even more. In time, drinking alcohol dominates your life and adversely impacts your wellness, relationships, finances, career and pastimes. Once you’re ensnared in this devastating spiral, you cannot quit drinking without skilled treatment.
What Are Some Alcohol Addiction Symptoms?
Frequent drinking doesn’t definitively signify a disorder. Alcohol consumption progresses into a disorder when it begins interfering with your life. Numerous negative behaviors linked to drinking can signify an alcohol use disorder.
You may have AUD if you:
- Frequently drink longer or more than you had intended
- Are unable to stop drinking even when wanting to
- Spend a good deal of time acquiring and drinking alcohol, even though it makes you ill or disrupts other aspects of life
- Cravings are so intense you are unable to concentrate on other things
- Have engaged in dangerous behaviors while drinking alcohol
- Have to drink more than before in order to attain the sought-after effect
- Have forsaken enjoyable activities so you can drink
- Persistent drinking despite its influence on family and friends
- Experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit drinking
The severity of your AUD generally correlates to the number of symptoms you experience. But any person who’s showing indicators of alcohol addiction symptoms near Philadelphia has a right to specialized treatment and support. You don’t have to face alcohol use disorder on your own.
What You Need To Know About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have an addiction to alcohol, your system needs it to function. If you halt usage, you become sick. This is referred to as withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are different for each individual and are reflective of your degree of alcohol usage. If you go into withdrawal, you may face any of these symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Racing heart
- Fever
- Increased blood pressure
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a sure-fire indication that you or a person you care about has AUD and requires help. Withdrawal can be painful and, in rare cases, even fatal if not controlled by medical professionals. If a person you care about| desires to quit alcohol but faces withdrawal whenever they attempt to, contact a Philadelphia substance use treatment facility for support.
Can You “Cure” Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol use disorder and addiction are considered chronic conditions. With that in mind, there isn’t a cure. Even so, a lasting recovery is a definite possibility. With the right combination of mental health and medical support, you can discover how to control the impulse to drink and achieve a sober lifestyle. It’s a challenging undertaking, but countless people recover from alcohol use disorder in Philadelphia and take back control of their lives.
Getting Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment In Philadelphia
No one can achieve sobriety on their own–and you shouldn’t have to! Getting alcohol use disorder treatment near Philadelphia can be unnerving, but you have a right to skilled treatment to help you get yourself on a sober path.
Alcohol use recovery may feel less intimidating when you perceive it as a series of steps steps. You won’t find single pathway to sobriety. Numerous people relapse and repeat some of these steps more than once. But you should know, you can get assistance from loved ones and trained professionals over the course of your recovery.
Alcohol detox: Your preliminary step is to detox from alcohol. As your body removes the toxins, you need medical supervision to maintain your safety and comfort. When you’re set to end your alcohol dependence, request admittance to a residential detox center near Philadelphia. They will provide round-the-clock care for 7 days or more as you overcome withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab: Following detox, your body and mind will still crave alcohol. You must transfer to residential rehab where medical staff can help you control post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol rehab focuses on restoring your brain from the impact of alcohol use. You’ll attend a few hours of therapy every day to treat the mental facets of AUD. You’ll stay in rehab as long as you need.
Outpatient addiction treatment: Rehab will stabilize you enough to return home, but you will still require constant support to stay sober. Don’t exit rehab without joining an outpatient addiction program that offers therapy and medical-assisted treatment. You can reside at home or at a sober living accommodation, but you still need to engage psychotherapists and a doctor during the week.
Sober living: Over time, your need for therapy will abate. Even so, recovery is a life-long process. Tap into the network of addiction professionals, loved ones, and new confidants you have built to maintain a healthy life. Steer clear of situations that trigger you to use. Seek assistance when you need it. Lasting recovery can be achieved!
Get Help Today For Alcohol Use Disorder Near Philadelphia
You don’t have to battle alcohol addiction by yourself. Call Beacon Point Recovery Center to find caring, expert alcohol use disorder treatment near Philadelphia. You may request help at 267-715-9624 or by completing the form below. One of our friendly staff members will reply immediately, no matter the hour or day. Every call is free and private. We’ll get you the treatment you require at once.