What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Atlanta
September 24, 2024
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Atlanta
An abundance of people enjoy alcoholic refreshments now and then. But alcohol can become addictive. If you ingest alcohol to get through life or find you’re not able to limit your drinking, you might have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This condition can quickly dominate your life and have a negative impact on all the pursuits you previously enjoyed.
But you shouldn’t lose hope. If you feel you or someone you love have alcohol use disorder near Atlanta, treatment and long-term recovery are within reach. Discover more about AUD and what you should do if you require support immediately.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition where you feel compelled to ingest alcohol in spite of the negative ramifications of overuse. Your brain seeks alcohol’s mind-altering qualities and no longer performs adequately without them. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. At its most extreme, you are in danger of an overdose with lethal ramifications.
As part of AUD, you may develop an alcohol addiction and have disturbing withdrawal symptoms if you cease using. Without expert support, you can’t keep yourself from drinking alcohol to ease the difficulty your body experiences when you try to detox from alcohol. If you do manage to stop “cold turkey,” you will still need to counter the practice of regular drinking. AUD requires professional treatment to enjoy a full recovery.
Why Do Some People Develop Alcohol Use Disorder?
Many people in Atlanta drink, but not every person develops an alcohol use disorder. Various factors influence your risk of developing AUD:
- Drinking from a young age
- Core mental health conditions
- History of trauma
- Inadequate coping abilities
- Genetics
- Family history of alcohol addiction
Countless individuals begin misusing alcohol as a result of stressful events. With a lack of positive coping skills, it’s easy to counteract the uneasy feelings that emerge from traumatic expereinces and mental illness with the brain-altering effects of alcohol. Whenever those negative feelings resurface, you turn to alcohol to subdue them again. You feel better for a bit when using alcohol.
Regrettably, alcohol is never a solution. When you use it regularly, you might become dependent on those chemicals to go about life. Without them, you feel worse than you did before and are compelled to drink more. Over time, drinking alcohol dominates your life and negatively affects your wellness, relationships, finances, career and pastimes. Once you’re caught in this devastating spiral, you cannot cease drinking without specialized care.
What Are Alcohol Addiction Symptoms?
Frequent drinking doesn’t necessarily mean you have a disorder. Alcohol usage becomes a disorder when it starts to disrupt your life. Various behaviors connected with drinking can signal an alcohol use disorder.
You may have AUD if you:
- Frequently drink in excess of or longer than you were expecting
- Are unable to quit drinking even when wanting to
- Spend a good deal of time obtaining alcohol and drinking, despite the fact it makes you ill or disrupts other activities
- Cravings are so strong you can’t concentrate on other tasks
- Have participated in unsafe behaviors while under the influence of alcohol
- Have to drink more than you used to in order to attain the desired feeling
- Have abandoned enjoyable activities to make time for drinking
- Persistent drinking despite its impact on family and friends
- Experience withdrawal symptoms when you cease drinking alcohol
The more symptoms of AUD you face, the more serious your case is. But any individual who’s demonstrating indicators of alcohol addiction symptoms near Atlanta has a right to professional treatment and guidance. You shouldn’t have to face alcohol use disorder alone.
What To Know About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have an alcohol addiction, your system needs it to function. If you halt usage, your body gets sick. This is called withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms differ for each individual and are reflective of how extreme your alcohol use is. If you enter withdrawal, you could face any combination of these symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Vomiting or nausea
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Heart racing
- Fever
- High blood pressure
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a tell-tale indication that you or a person you care about has AUD and needs help. Withdrawal can be distressing and, in severe cases, even lethal if not controlled by medical specialists. If a person you care about| wants to quit alcohol but endures withdrawal if they make an attempt, turn to a Atlanta substance use treatment center for support.
Can Alcohol Addiction Be “Cured”?
Alcohol use disorder and addiction are known as chronic conditions. Technically, there is no cure. Even so, there is a chance for long-term recovery. With a customized combination of medical and mental health care, you can find how to navigate the impulse to drink and attain a sober lifestyle. It’s a challenging undertaking, but countless people eventually recover from alcohol use disorder in Atlanta and regain control of their lives.
Finding Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment In Atlanta
No person can accomplish sobriety on their own–and you don’t have to! Seeking alcohol use disorder treatment near Atlanta can be unnerving, but you have a right to skilled care to help you get yourself on a sober path.
Alcohol use recovery might feel more feasible when you look at it as a series of steps steps. There isn’t a single journey to a sober life. Countless people endure relapses and undertake parts of the process multiple times. But you should know, you can get assistance from family and qualified providers during your journey.
Alcohol detox: Your initial step is alcohol detox. While your body flushes out those chemicals, you require medical guidance that keeps you safe and relaxed. When you’re prepared to stop your alcohol use, seek admittance to a residential detox center near Atlanta. They will provide 24-hour support for 7 days or more as you overcome withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab: After you detox, your mind and body will still want alcohol. You need to transfer to residential alcohol rehab where medical professionals can assist you in handling post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol rehab focuses on mending your brain from the impact of alcohol addiction. You’ll go to a few hours of therapy each day to treat the mental aspects of AUD. You’ll continue in rehab for whatever length of time is right for you.
Outpatient addiction care: Rehab will get you balanced enough to go back home, but you will still want constant support to stay sober. Don’t depart rehab without joining an outpatient addiction program that offers therapy and medical-assisted treatment. You can live at home or in a sober living accommodation, but you still must see psychotherapists and a doctor during the week.
Sober living: n time, your need for addiction services will subside. Even so, recovery is a long-term endeavor. Tap into the network of addiction specialists, family, and new confidants you have developed to continue living a healthy lifestyle. Avoid people or activities that trigger you to drink. Seek support whenever you need it. Enduring recovery can be accomplished!
Find Help Now For Alcohol Use Disorder Near Atlanta
You don’t need to fight alcohol addiction alone. Call Sunrise Detox Alpharetta to learn more about compassionate, specialized alcohol use disorder treatment near Atlanta. You may reach us at (678) 928-6557 or by filling out the form below. One of our friendly staff members will respond right away, regardless of the time or day. All calls are free and confidential. We’ll provide the support you need now.