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What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Roswell

September 24, 2024

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Roswell

An abundance of people partake in alcoholic drinks from time to time. But alcohol can be addictive. If you consume alcohol to deal with life or cannot limit your drinking, you might have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This condition can quickly take over your life and negatively impact all the activities you once enjoyed. 
 
But don’t lose hope. If you think you or someone you love have alcohol use disorder near Roswell, support and enduring recovery are attainable. Discover more about AUD and what to do if you need guidance immediately. 
 

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol use disorder is a health condition where you feel compelled to drink alcohol in spite of the negative ramifications of having too much. Your brain calls for alcohol’s mind-altering qualities and fails to perform properly without them. AUD might be anywhere from mild to severe. At its most intense, you are in danger of overdosing on alcohol with potentially deadly ramifications. 
 
As a consequence of AUD, you could develop an alcohol addiction and experience disturbing withdrawal symptoms if you stop using. Without expert support, you aren’t able to keep yourself from drinking alcohol to mitigate the unease your body undergoes when you start alcohol detox. If you do manage to stop “cold turkey,” you still have to combat the routine of consistent drinking. AUD needs specialized treatment to enjoy a total recovery. 
 

Why Do Individuals Develop Alcohol Use Disorder? 

Many individuals in Roswell drink, but not all of them develop an alcohol use disorder. A variety of factors help determine your odds of developing AUD: 

  • Drinking as a child or teen
  • Existing mental health conditions
  • Background of trauma 
  • Insufficient coping mechanisms
  • Genetics
  • Family history of addiction 
Countless people begin binging on alcohol as a response to stressful events. In the absence of constructive coping skills, it’s easy to erase the difficult feelings that stem from traumatic expereinces and mental illness with the brain-altering effects of alcohol. When those unwanted feelings come back, you reach for alcohol to subdue them again. You feel better for a bit when drinking alcohol. 
 
Regrettably, alcohol is never the solution. When you drink it consistently, 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. Over time, drinking consumes your life and negatively affects your relationships, job, finances, wellnes, and pastimes. When you become caught in this endless spiral, you cannot cease drinking without specialized guidance. 
 

What Are Common Alcohol Addiction Symptoms?

Frequent drinking doesn’t definitively mean you have a disorder. Alcohol use progresses into a disorder when it starts to interfere with your life. Many negative behaviors linked to drinking can signal an alcohol use disorder. 
 
You could have AUD if you: 

  • Often drink in excess of or longer than you were expecting
  • Can’t quit drinking even when you want to
  • Spend a good deal of time obtaining alcohol and drinking, even though it makes you ill or impedes other aspects of life
  • You want to drink so much you aren’t able to focus on other tasks
  • Have participated in risky behaviors while under the influence of alcohol 
  • Need to drink more than you did previously in order to attain the sought-after feeling 
  • Have abandoned activities you once enjoyed to make more time for drinking 
  • Have continued drinking despite its influence on friends and family
  • Suffer withdrawal symptoms when you quit drinking alcohol 
 
The gravity of your AUD typically corresponds to the number of symptoms you endure. But any person who’s showing signals of alcohol addiction symptoms near Roswell is entitled to specialized treatment and care. You don’t need to face alcohol use disorder by yourself. 
 

What To Know About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

If you have an addiction to alcohol, your system requires it to function. If you halt usage, you get sick. This is known as withdrawal. 
 
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person and are reflective of your degree of alcohol consumption. If you enter withdrawal, you might face any mix of these symptoms: 
 
  • Insomnia
  • Shaky hands
  • Headache 
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sweating 
  • Anxious feelings
  • Hallucinations 
  • Seizures 
  • Delirium tremens 
  • Delusions 
  • Confusion
  • Racing heart
  • Fever
  • High blood pressure 
 
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a sure-fire sign that you or a person you care about has AUD and should get help. Withdrawal is often painful and, in rare cases, even deadly if not managed by medical specialists. If someone close to you| wishes to quit alcohol but faces withdrawal if they make an attempt, contact a Roswell substance use treatment provider for support. 
 

Can Alcohol Addiction Be “Cured”?

Alcohol use disorder and addiction are considered chronic illnesses. Technically, there isn’t a cure. Even so, there is a chance for long-term recovery. With a customized combination of mental health and medical care, you can learn to control the impulse to drink and reach your goal of a sober lifestyle. It’s an arduous process, but numerous individuals eventually overcome alcohol use disorder in Roswell  and reclaim their lives. 
 

Starting Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment In Roswell

No person can achieve sobriety alone–and you don’t have to! Getting alcohol use disorder treatment near Roswell might be unnerving, but you are entitled to skilled support to help get yourself on a path of lasting sobriety. 
 
Alcohol use recovery can feel less daunting when you view it as several steps. There is no single road to a sober lifestyle. Countless individuals relapse and repeat parts of the process several times. But you should know, you can get assistance from family and accredited professionals throughout your journey to recovery. 
 
Alcohol detox: The preliminary step is alcohol detox. While your system eliminates those chemicals, you require medical supervision that keeps you safe and relaxed. If you’re prepared to quit alcohol, request admittance to a residential detox center near Roswell. You’ll benefit from 24-hour support for a week or two as you undergo withdrawal. 
 
Alcohol rehab: After you detox, your mind and body will still want 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 influence of alcohol addiction. You’ll participate in several hours of therapy each day to address the mental aspects of AUD. You’ll continue in rehab as long as necessary. 
 
Outpatient addiction support: Rehab will get you balanced enough to go back home, but you will still need continued support to stay sober. Don’t exit rehab without entering an outpatient addiction program that provides therapy and medically guided treatment. You are able to reside at home or in a sober living accommodation, but you still must visit therapists and a doctor throughout the week. 
 
Sober living: Eventually, your need for therapy will subside. Even so, recovery is a life-long process. Turn to the network of addiction professionals, loved ones, and new friends you have developed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Avoid people or activities that compel you to consume alcohol. Seek support if you ever need it. Lasting recovery can be accomplished!  
 

Get The Help You Need Now For Alcohol Use Disorder Near Roswell

You don’t have to grapple with alcohol addiction by yourself. Call The Counseling Center At Roswell to learn more about compassionate, specialized alcohol use disorder treatment near Roswell. You can reach us at 470-444-4280 or by submitting the form on this page. One of our team members will reply right away, regardless of the day or time. Your call is free and confidential. We’ll get you the care you need today.