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
Numerous people indulge in alcoholic beverages from time to time. But alcohol can be addictive. If you start consuming alcohol to cope with life or find you’re not able to control your drinking, you might have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This disorder can rapidly dominate your life and severely affect all the things you once enjoyed.
But you shouldn’t lose hope. If you feel you or a loved one have alcohol use disorder near Philadelphia, treatment and lasting recovery are attainable. Find out more about AUD and the steps to take if you require help right away.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition where you feel the urge to ingest alcohol despite the negative consequences of having too much. Your brain craves the mind-altering chemicals in alcohol and fails to operate reliably without them. AUD may be mild, moderate, or severe. At its severest, you are in jeopardy of overdosing with lethal ramifications.
When you have AUD, you may become addicted to alcohol and have disturbing withdrawal symptoms if you stop using. Without skilled assistance, you can’t stop yourself from ingesting alcohol to ease the discomfort your body undergoes when you detox from alcohol. If you are able to stop “cold turkey,” you will still need to counter the habit of regular drinking. AUD needs specialized treatment to fully recover.
Why Do Individuals Develop Alcohol Use Disorder?
Many residents of Philadelphia drink, but not every person develops an alcohol use disorder. A variety of factors help determine your risk of experiencing AUD:
- Drinking from an early age
- Existing mental health disorders
- History of trauma
- Poor coping mechanisms
- Genetics
- Family history of alcohol use disorder
Numerous individuals begin overusing alcohol as a result of high levels of stress. In the absence of constructive coping strategies, it’s easy to counteract the uneasy feelings that emerge from mental illness and trauma with the chemical stimulation of alcohol. When those unwanted feelings return, you reach for alcohol to shut them down again. You feel better temporarily under the influence of alcohol.
But, alcohol is never a solution. When you consume it regularly, you may develop a dependency on those chemicals to live your daily life. When you don’t have them, you feel more uncomfortable than you did peviously and want to drink even more. Soon, drinking alcohol consumes your life and adversely impacts your wellness, relationships, finances, career and hobbies. When you get caught in this endless spiral, you can’t quit drinking without expert care.
What Are Common Alcohol Addiction Symptoms?
Frequent drinking doesn’t automatically indicate a disorder. Alcohol consumption manifests into a disorder when it begins interfering with your life. Many negative behaviors associated with drinking can indicate an alcohol use disorder.
You may have AUD if you:
- Often drink longer or more than you were expecting
- Can’t quit drinking even when wanting to
- Spend much time seeking and using alcohol, even though it makes you feel bad or disrupts other activities
- You’re compelled to drink so much you are unable to direct attention on other tasks
- Have participated in unsafe behaviors while consuming alcohol
- Must drink more than before in order to get the sought-after result
- Have abandoned activities you used to enjoy so you can drink
- Have continued drinking despite its impact on loved ones
- Experience withdrawal symptoms when you cease drinking alcohol
The intensity of your AUD often correlates to the number of symptoms you have. But any individual who’s showing signals of alcohol addiction symptoms near Philadelphia deserves professional treatment and care. You don’t have to take on alcohol use disorder on your own.
What To Know About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have an alcohol addiction, your body requires it to function. If you stop drinking, you get sick. This is called withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms differ for each person and are reflective of your degree of alcohol usage. If you enter withdrawal, you might face any of these symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Anxious feelings
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Racing heart
- Fever
- Elevated blood pressure
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a tell-tale indicator that you or a loved one has AUD and needs help. Withdrawal can be distressing and, in severe cases, even fatal if not controlled by medical providers. If an individual close to you| wishes to quit alcohol but experiences withdrawal whenever they attempt to, turn to a Philadelphia substance use treatment center for support.
Can You “Cure” Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol use disorder and addiction are considered chronic diseases. Technically speaking, there is no cure. But, a lasting recovery is possible. With the proper combination of mental health and medical treatment, you can learn to control the impulse to drink and achieve a sober life. It’s an arduous process, but numerous individuals overcome alcohol use disorder in Philadelphia and take back control of their lives.
Starting Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment In Philadelphia
Nobody can achieve sobriety by themselves–and you don’t have to! Finding alcohol use disorder treatment near Philadelphia can be unnerving, but you have a right to skilled treatment to help get yourself on a sober path.
Alcohol use recovery might feel more achievable when you perceive it as a series of steps steps. There is no single pathway to a sober lifestyle. Countless individuals endure relapses and go through some of these steps multiple times. But rest assured, you can get help from family and accredited practitioners during your journey.
Alcohol detox: Your first step is to detox from alcohol. When your body eliminates the toxins, you need medical guidance that keeps you safe and comfortable. If you’re set to stop your alcohol use, seek admittance to a residential detox center near Philadelphia. You’ll benefit from 24-hour support for one or two weeks as you overcome withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab: After you detox, your body and mind will still crave alcohol. You will need to transfer to residential rehab where medical providers can help you manage post-acute withdrawal. Alcohol rehab focuses on restoring your brain from the effects of alcohol addiction. You’ll attend a few hours of therapy each day to treat the mental aspects of AUD. You’ll continue in rehab as long as you need.
Outpatient addiction care: Rehab will get you balanced enough to go home, but you will still need constant support to keep on a path of sobriety. Don’t exit rehab without entering an outpatient addiction program that offers therapy and medical-assisted treatment. You are able to stay at home or at a sober living accommodation, but you still must engage therapists and a doctor throughout the week.
Sober living: n time, your need for addiction services will subside. However, recovery is a life-long undertaking. Rely on the network of addiction professionals, family, and new confidants you have developed to continue living a healthy life. Abstain from situations that trigger you to consume alcohol. Get support whenever you need it. Enduring recovery can be achieved!
Get Help Today For Alcohol Use Disorder Near Philadelphia
You don’t have to fight alcohol addiction on your own. Turn to The Counseling Center at Cherry Hill to find compassionate, professional alcohol use disorder treatment near Philadelphia. You may request help at 856-600-0951 or by completing the form on this page. One of our team members will respond immediately, no matter the hour or day. All calls are free and confidential. We’ll provide the support you require today.