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 refreshments every once in a while. But alcohol can become addictive. If you start to use alcohol to cope with life or cannot limit your drinking, you might have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This disorder can quickly overtake your life and negatively influence all the pursuits you once enjoyed.
But don’t lose hope. If you feel you or a person you care about have alcohol use disorder near Philadelphia, support and enduring recovery are within reach. Find out more about AUD and what to do if you require guidance right away.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is a health condition where you feel the need to use alcohol despite the detrimental repercussions of overuse. Your brain calls for alcohol’s mind-altering qualities and fails to function reliably without them. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. At its severest, you are in jeopardy of overdosing on alcohol with fatal consequences.
As part of AUD, you could develop an alcohol addiction and suffer unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop partaking. Without expert assistance, you can’t prevent yourself from ingesting alcohol to lessen the discomfort your body undergoes when you try to detox from alcohol. If you do manage to stop “cold turkey,” you will still need to fight the habit of consistent drinking. AUD requires professional treatment to recover completely.
Why Are People Burdened By Alcohol Use Disorder?
Lots of individuals in Philadelphia drink, but not everyone develops an alcohol use disorder. A variety of factors influence your risk of developing AUD:
- Drinking at an early age
- Core mental health conditions
- History of trauma
- Poor coping skills
- Genetics
- Family history of alcohol use disorder
Numerous people begin misusing alcohol as a result of stressful events. With a lack of positive coping strategies, it’s easy to counteract the uneasy feelings that stem from mental illness and trauma with the chemical stimulation of alcohol. When those negative feelings return, you reach for alcohol to block them again. You get a short-lived reprieve under the influence of alcohol.
Unfortunately, alcohol is not ever the solution. When you use it habitually, you might develop a dependency on those chemicals to go about life. Without them, you feel more uncomfortable than you did prior and want to drink more. Over time, drinking alcohol consumes your life and adversely infuences your relationships, career, finances, well-being, and leisure pursuits. Once you’re trapped in this downward spiral, you cannot quit drinking without skilled care.
What Are Common Alcohol Addiction Symptoms?
Frequent drinking doesn’t necessarily mean you have a disorder. Alcohol use becomes a disorder when it starts to disrupt your life. Various negative behaviors connected with drinking can indicate an alcohol use disorder.
You might have AUD if you:
- Regularly drink more or longer than you were expecting
- Are unable to cease drinking even when wanting to
- Spend much time obtaining and drinking alcohol, even when it makes you sick or disrupts other aspects of life
- You want to drink so much you can’t concentrate on other things
- Have engaged in dangerous behaviors while under the influence of alcohol
- Must drink more than before in order to attain the desired effect
- Have forsaken enjoyable activities to make more time for drinking
- Have continued drinking despite its impact on loved ones
- Have withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol
The severity of your AUD often relates to the number of symptoms you endure. But any person who’s displaying signals of alcohol addiction symptoms near Philadelphia is entitled to specialized therapy and guidance. You don’t need to confront alcohol use disorder on your own.
What You Should Know About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have an alcohol addiction, your body needs it to function. If you cease drinking, your body gets sick. This is known as withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are different from person to person and depend on how severe your alcohol use is. If you go into withdrawal, you could endure any mix of these symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Vomiting or nausea
- Sweating
- Anxious feelings
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Heart racing
- Fever
- Increased blood pressure
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a sure-fire indicator that you or someone you love has AUD and requires help. Withdrawal is often agonizing and, in rare cases, even fatal if not addressed by medical specialists. If someone you know| wishes to quit alcohol but experiences withdrawal whenever they try, reach out to a Philadelphia substance use treatment provider for help.
Can Alcohol Addiction Be “Cured”?
Alcohol use disorder and addiction are considered chronic diseases. Technically, there isn’t a cure. But, a lasting recovery is possible. With the right combination of mental health and medical treatment, you can learn to control the compulsion to drink and reach your goal of a sober lifestyle. It’s an arduous undertaking, but many individuals move past alcohol use disorder in Philadelphia and take back control of their lives.
Starting Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment In Philadelphia
No one can attain sobriety by themselves–and you shouldn’t have to! Seeking alcohol use disorder treatment near Philadelphia can feel intimidating, but you are entitled to skilled treatment to help get your life back.
Alcohol use recovery might feel less daunting when you view it as a series of steps steps. You won’t find single pathway to a sober life. Numerous individuals relapse and go through parts of the process more than once. But it’s important to note, you can get assistance from family members and accredited providers during your journey to recovery.
Alcohol detox: Your preliminary step is alcohol detox. While your system removes those chemicals, you need medical guidance that keeps you comfortable and safe. If you’re prepared to end your alcohol dependence, seek admittance to a residential detox center near Philadelphia. You will get round-the-clock guidance for 7 days or more as you go through withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab: Following detox, your body and mind will still want alcohol. You will need to transfer to residential alcohol rehab where medical providers can aid you in handling post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol rehab focuses on repairing your brain from the impact of alcohol addiction. You’ll participate in therapy every day to address the mental aspects of AUD. You’ll stay in rehab as long as you need.
Outpatient addiction care: Rehab will stabilize you enough to go back home, but you’ll still need continued support to stay sober. Don’t depart rehab without starting an outpatient addiction program that supplies therapy and medication-assisted treatment. You may reside at home or in a sober living facility, but you still need to visit psychotherapists and a doctor throughout the week.
Sober living: n time, your need for addiction services will abate. Even so, recovery is a long-term endeavor. Tap into the network of addiction experts, family members, and new mentors you have built to keep up your healthy way of life. Steer clear of people or activities that trigger you to consume alcohol. Find assistance if you ever need it. Long-term recovery can be achieved!
Find Help Today For Alcohol Use Disorder Near Philadelphia
You don’t need to battle alcohol addiction by yourself. Turn to Sunrise Detox Cherry Hill to get caring, professional alcohol use disorder treatment near Philadelphia. You can request help at 856-333-3783 or by filling out the form on this page. One of our team members will reply promptly, regardless of the day or time. Your call is free and private. We’ll provide the care you require at once.