Alcohol addiction is one of the most common addictions impacting the US population. Drinking is a legal, socially acceptable activity. Often, problem drinkers are in denial about the seriousness of their problem and refuse to get help. If alcoholism is left untreated, it can lead to severe health problems.
Alcohol addiction (also called alcohol use disorder or AUD) is a chronic medical condition. It occurs when a person is unable to stop drinking despite adverse health, social, or job consequences. AUD is a brain disease that can be mild, moderate, or severe.
There are distinct risk factors for developing AUD: how much a person drinks, how often they consume alcohol, and how quickly they drink it.
Alcohol misuse, which is drinking in a particular manner or situation, amount, or frequency that could harm a person who drinks or others around them, increases the risk of AUD. Misusing alcohol includes:
Early alcohol consumption is another risk factor. Young people who started experimenting with alcohol before their 15th birthday were at higher risk for developing an alcohol addiction than those who waited until age 21 to start drinking alcohol. Young women in this category are more likely to develop AUD than men.
Genetics also play a role in who is most likely to have an issue with alcohol. Alcoholism tends to run in families; it doesn’t mean that everyone with a close relative with AUD will have the same issue. People in the same family are at a higher risk of developing the problem, but this doesn’t mean everyone in the family will have AUD. A child’s environment during their formative years also plays a role in whether they are likely to develop an alcohol addiction.
Healthcare providers use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as part of their assessment to diagnose AUD. The DSM-5’s criteria include the following:
Healthcare providers will diagnose AUD if two of the above symptoms occur during the previous 12 months. A mild case is determined if two or three symptoms are present. Moderate AUD is present with four or five of the criteria present, and severe AUD is diagnosed with six or more symptoms present.
Alcohol misuse impacts the drinker’s brain and almost all of the organs in their body. Over time, alcohol affects the brain’s ability to function properly:
Chronic alcohol use leads to physical dependence on alcohol. The person’s body and brain become used to having alcohol present in their system and they need it to function properly. At this point, the person can’t stop drinking, even if they decide they want to.
Suppose someone who has become physically dependent on alcohol tries to stop drinking on their own. In that case, they will experience withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, nausea, vomiting, nightmares, insomnia, seizures, and hallucinations.
Please note: A person who has been drinking heavily or who has been drinking for years should not try to stop all at once (“cold turkey”). The withdrawal process may be dangerous unless the person undergoes a supervised medical detoxification process (detox).
Willingway offers evidence-based treatment that has been shown to be effective for treating clients with AUD. Our medical staff provides new clients with a thorough medical assessment on admission that includes a physical exam, medical history, nursing history, and a trauma assessment.
All clients must be clean and sober before alcohol addiction treatment can begin. Willingway offers a medically supervised detoxification (detox) for clients who are still drinking when admitted. Our experienced staff monitors clients carefully to ensure they are comfortable during detox.
Based on the information provided during the assessment, the client, their family, and the staff will develop a detailed treatment plan. The multi-disciplinary team will review the client’s treatment plan for sobriety weekly.
Willingway’s inpatient treatment program includes gender-specific issue groups, group therapy, spirituality, recreational therapy, and 12-step meetings. Spirituality and self-care are also part of Willingway’s program.
Clients prepare for life after Willingway by addressing their discharge plans at our facility. We offer aftercare peer support services at one of 13 community groups at no charge. Clients who do not live close to a group can attend meetings via Zoom.
