Alcohol addiction is a serious condition that affects millions of people.
If you’re struggling with alcoholism, it’s important to know that recovery is possible and professional treatment can help.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we offer comprehensive support and treatment to help you overcome alcohol addiction and take back control of your life.
What Is Considered an Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic and relapsing condition characterized by an inability to control alcohol use despite harmful consequences.
Alcohol abuse can develop gradually. It’s a complex condition that can affect the structure and reward center of the brain. Alcohol addiction may start with casual drinking and evolve into dependency.
A substance addiction, like alcohol addiction, is diagnosed based on criteria by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Alcohol use disorder can range from mild to severe.
Alcohol addiction can affect relationships, careers, and overall health. But at Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we focus on helping you rebuild what you’ve lost to alcohol addiction.
What Are the Causes of Alcohol Addiction?
There isn’t a single cause of alcohol addiction. AUD is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
Alcohol is a substance that can alter the brain’s reward system, causing powerful cravings. These changes in brain function can make it difficult for someone to stop or control their drinking.
Who Is at Risk for Alcohol Addiction?
Several factors can increase the risk of developing alcohol addiction. These risk factors include:
- Family history of addiction: Addiction can have a genetic component. If your family has a history of alcohol addiction, you may be genetically predisposed to it.
- Using alcohol at an early age: You’re more likely to develop alcohol problems if you start drinking at an early age. Adolescence is a critical stage of brain development, and it can be disrupted by drinking.
- Mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, etc): Certain mental health disorders can increase your risk for alcohol misuse. Sometimes, those with mental health conditions may look to alcohol to manage their symptoms.
- History of substance abuse: If you have a history of addiction to other substances, you’re at a higher risk for alcohol abuse.
- Consistently drinking on a regular basis: The risk of alcohol use disorder increases when a person drinks on a regular basis.
- History of abuse or trauma: Those with a history of abuse or trauma have an increased risk of developing alcohol use disorder.
- Societal pressures: Peer pressure and cultural norms can influence people and encourage drinking. For someone who is at risk for addiction, this can lead to alcohol misuse.
Rates of Alcohol Addiction in the U.S.
Alcohol addiction can affect people from all walks of life. No demographic is immune from alcohol use disorder, but some may be more prone to addiction than others.
The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found:
- 28.9 million people in the United States ages 12 and older had AUD in the past year.
- Alcohol addiction was more common in males overall but more common in females in the 12 to 17 age group.
- AUD was reported in 757,000 adolescents ages 12 to 17 and 28.1 million adults ages 18 and over.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says about 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use each year in the United States.
Alcohol addiction also impacts racial and ethnic groups at different rates in America. Rates of alcohol addiction include:
- Adults identifying with more than one race: 15.4%
- American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 13.6%
- White adults: 11.6%
- Black or African American adults: 10.5%
- Hispanic or Latino adults: 10.1%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander adults: 8.5%
- Asian adults: 6.1%
What Are the Warning Signs of Alcohol Addiction?
You may be concerned about your drinking habits or the drinking habits of a loved one.
Here are key warning signs to watch for to spot alcohol addiction or addictive behaviors:
- Inability to stop drinking: Once you start drinking, it’s difficult to stop or control the amount you drink.
- Increased cravings: Frequently feeling a strong urge to drink alcohol.
- Intoxication: Being frequently intoxicated and experiencing the symptoms of intoxication. These include impulsivity, slurring speech, poor coordination, frequent blackouts, etc.
- Drinking regardless of consequences: Continuing to drink despite negative effects on work, relationships, school, and other obligations.
- Drinking in secret: Feeling the need to drink in secret or hide your alcohol.
- Increased tolerance: You need to drink more to feel the effects of alcohol.
- Alcohol withdrawal: Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like sweating, shaking, and nausea when you don’t drink.
Harmony Treatment and Wellness helps to break the negative behaviors of alcohol addiction, teaching you healthier habits and coping methods.
Different Types of Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder can manifest in several different ways. These types of alcohol addiction can have different effects and symptoms.
Binge drinking refers to drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time. This pattern of drinking quickly brings your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or more. Binge drinking can increase your risk of blackouts, overdose, poor decision-making, and accidental injury.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking for typical adults as:
- Men drinking 5 or more drinks in about 2 hours.
- Women drinking 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours.
- These definitions vary based on factors like weight and tolerance.
Heavy drinking refers to frequent and consistent alcohol consumption over time. Prolonged heavy drinking can increase the risk of chronic diseases like liver damage, heart disease, and cancer.
It can also lead someone to neglect work, relationships, and other aspects of their lives. The NIAAA defines heavy drinking as:
- Men drinking five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week
- Women drinking four or more on any day or eight or more drinks per week
- Binge drinking five or more days in the past month
High-functioning alcoholism refers to someone who can continue to keep up with many of their normal everyday activities despite alcohol addiction. This form of addiction may be harder to detect, since it doesn’t have as many outward or obvious symptoms.
But, any form of substance use disorder can have long-term negative health consequences. Their symptoms can also worsen over time and take away the ability to maintain this level of functionality.
Complications of Untreated Alcohol Addiction
When left untreated, alcohol addiction can lead to severe and life-threatening health problems, including:
- Liver disease, cirrhosis, or liver failure
- Heart disease, high blood pressure, or stroke
- Weakened immune system
- Increased risk of certain cancers
- Neurological issues
- Digestive issues
- Mental health disorders
- Interactions with medications
- Social isolation
- Relationship problems
- Increased risk of accidents or injury
- Financial difficulties
- Increased likelihood of legal risks
- Increased risk of suicide
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options in Stuart, Florida
If you or a family member are facing alcohol use disorder in Florida, there are options for help. At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we offer a range of programs and interventions designed to help you overcome addiction and start living a healthier, happier life.
These options include:
Alcohol detox is the first step of recovery. Some people may have mild or no withdrawal symptoms, but it’s important to be monitored. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening and lead to death.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we offer medical and psychological supervision so you can safely detox. Our professionals can monitor and treat complications that may arise when you’re trying to get sober and rid your system of alcohol.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an alternative to traditional abstinence-based addiction programs. A medication-assisted treatment program involves the use of risk-reducing medications. These can help wean substance abuse patients off alcohol or opioids over time.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, our MAT program involves a psychiatric assessment to determine the need and dosage of medications. Patients can be prescribed medications like naltrexone, Vivitrol, and Suboxone by a health care provider to help reduce cravings.
The medication is reduced throughout the patient’s stay until the patient no longer needs the medication.
Outpatient programs are flexible treatment programs that allow you to receive support and care while maintaining your daily life. Typically, these are most effective when they follow more intensive rehab programs.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we view outpatient programs as a final step-down level of care. It offers continued support to patients who have completed our intensive outpatient program or our residential program.
Primarily, we focus on educating patients on sustainable recovery and refining their long-term recovery plans.
There are a variety of evidence-based and clinically proven therapies to help with alcohol abuse and substance abuse.
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we offer a range of therapy programs, including:
- Twelve-step facilitation therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma Recovery/EMDR Recovery
- Mindfulness meditation
- Yoga
- Adventure therapy
- Family counseling
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Education workshops
- Music therapy
Mental health treatment and psychiatry can be used to help treat addiction along with co-occurring mental health conditions.
Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can contribute to addiction and make recovery more difficult. Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers mental health treatment through therapies like CBT, individual therapy, and more.
Now is the perfect time to begin to heal!
Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Harmony Treatment and Wellness
If you’re ready to break free from alcohol addiction, Harmony Treatment and Wellness is here to offer compassionate and empathetic care. Our team is dedicated to guiding you through every step of recovery.
Overcoming alcohol abuse can be difficult, especially on your own, but our resources and support programs can help you on the path to sustainable recovery and a healthier life.
Contact Harmony Treatment and Wellness today to explore our treatment options and take the first step on the road to recovery.
Most Insurance Accepted
We work with most major insurance carriers and offer a range of options to fit your lifestyle and financial means
Alcohol Addiction FAQs
Alcohol addiction can be treated with a combination of therapies, support programs, rehab programs, and medications if necessary. This may include detox, support groups, outpatient programs, and inpatient programs.
Alcohol addiction is chronic, but it can be managed with treatment and support. With the right help, it’s possible to achieve lasting recovery and abstinence.
The timeline for “feeling normal” can vary based on the severity of alcohol dependence. Most people who haven’t developed medical conditions as a result of addiction can start feeling physically normal again within days or weeks.
Psychological effects and rewiring the brain can take months or even years. But, sustainable recovery is possible, and these effects can become more manageable over time.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Alcohol Use and Your Health.” Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/index.html. Accessed on October 18, 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Alcohol Use Disorder. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3909-alcoholism. Accessed on October 18, 2024.
- Mayo Clinic. “Alcohol Use Disorder.” Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243. Accessed on October 18, 2024.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics.” Retrieved from: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics. Accessed on October 18, 2024.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Drinking Levels and Patterns Defined.” https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking. Accessed on October 18, 2024.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “The Cycle of Alcohol Addiction.” Retrieved from: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/cycle-alcohol-addiction. Accessed on October 18, 2024.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Understanding Binge Drinking.” Retrieved from: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/binge-drinking. Accessed on October 18, 2024.
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You deserve to become your best self. With decades of combined experience in the field of addiction medicine, our staff knows what it takes to build a foundation for recovery.