Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
In this article
Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), more commonly known as alcoholism, is a chronic relapsing brain disease. It develops with continued alcohol abuse or dependency on alcohol.
Despite alcoholism’s physical and mental health consequences, alcoholics battle an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol intake. This is because alcoholics may struggle when they’re not drinking.
You may be at a higher risk of developing alcohol addiction if:
If you’re wondering, am I an alcoholic, you’re not alone. An estimated 15 million people cope with alcoholism in the United States. But, to tell if you’re an alcoholic, it’s essential to understand the difference between binge drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism.
NIAAA
Binge drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism are all considered alcohol use disorders (AUD). That said, binge drinking can lead to alcohol abuse, which can ultimately lead to alcoholism.
The NIAAA defines binge drinking as a drinking pattern that elevates one’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08 g/dL. One’s BAC level differs depending on a gamut of factors—from food intake, weight, and medications (or lack thereof). But it typically reaches .08 g/dL after four drinks for women and five drinks for men in about two hours.
Someone who binge drinks now and then is not necessarily an alcohol abuser. Alcohol abusers continue to drink alcohol despite:
Nearly one-third of American adults are deemed excessive drinkers, but only 10 percent of them are considered alcoholics.
CDC
People who abuse alcohol may have an easier time breaking their heavy drinking habits, while alcoholics will likely experience dependency-induced consequences.
Alcoholism is characterized by an addiction to alcohol.
Alcoholics may suffer withdrawal while not drinking that can complicate their already-impaired ability to quit. This is because alcohol addiction causes a chemical change in one’s brain. This drives them to drink more and more often—first for pleasure, then to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
The 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) lists 11 symptoms that can be used to determine whether someone has an AUD.
The DSM-5 states that when a person is diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, the severity of their condition depends on the number of symptoms they have:
If you’re asking yourself, am I an alcoholic, this self-assessment questionnaire may be helpful for you.
Alcohol addiction changes the way your mind and body works. A physical dependence causes you to experience withdrawal when you stop drinking.
Mild and moderate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal typically show up six to eight hours after your last drink. However, they may spike around 24 to 72 hours after your last drink.
They include:
Scientists published a study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that divides alcoholics into five different subtypes:
Alcoholism is a condition that affects both children and adults. However, it does not affect everyone the same way. For some, just one drink can lead to intoxication, while for others, more drinks are required to create the same effect.
Regarding the effects of alcohol on the body and brain, excessive alcohol consumption can heighten the risk of many health issues for any user.
Despite the harm linked with alcohol consumption, the effects are reversible in most cases.
Identifying and understanding problematic drinking early and receiving treatment can reverse many of the mental, emotional, and physical side effects of drinking. However, at a certain point, the damage from heavy alcohol use may be too severe. For example, liver failure and cirrhosis are permanent complications of excessive alcohol use.
Permanent health damage should not stop a person from seeking treatment as it can still significantly improve an individual’s quality of life.
There are different addiction treatment options for those facing alcohol problems.
These include support groups, therapies, medical treatments, and more typically used in conjunction with detox and withdrawal.
Here are some options to get you started:
There are various support groups for alcoholics, but Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is arguably the most well-known option. It’s a global, community-driven program that involves regular accountability meetings and group discussions surrounding addiction. It’s “nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere.”
Alcoholics Anonymous also uses a 12-step approach to overcoming an addiction to alcohol, which members can revisit at any time. These steps include admitting to addiction, making conscious choices to change, and using prayer and meditation to overcome the addiction.
There are inpatient and outpatient treatment programs for those interested in enrolling at a treatment facility.
Treatment centers can help you to develop new coping skills, get medical support from trusted healthcare professionals, and hold yourself accountable. Inpatient care is ideal for anyone with a severe addiction to alcohol and a need for constant supervision during the withdrawal journey and recovery phase.
Outpatient care, on the other hand, may be appropriate for someone with a less severe addiction to alcohol but who still needs professional help.
Counseling through traditional therapy can help you discover any mental or emotional baggage that can trigger your alcohol addiction.
Identifying the causes of your alcohol addiction can help you overcome your addiction in a healthy way.
Medication for alcoholism is usually used in combination with other methods of treatment.
Medication might include Naltrexone that can help to reduce alcohol cravings. Acamprosate can also help to repair the brain. And Disulfiram can trigger a negative physical reaction to alcohol to help prevent you from drinking it.
Since alcohol can take a toll on your health with abuse and addiction, quitting isn’t easy to do on your own. Seek professional medical advice from a treatment provider today.
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