Alcohol Use Disorder
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Alcohol is a substance that is commonly used in our society. However, it becomes problematic when an individual is unable to decrease or stop drinking alcohol when it is causing issues in their personal or professional life. Diagnosing and managing unhealthy alcohol consumption is crucial, and alcohol use disorders (AUD) are characterized by a person’s inability to inhibit their use of alcohol regardless of negative impacts on their life. As a disease, it includes individuals who are considered to be struggling with the following:
Alcohol addiction
Abuse of alcohol
Alcohol dependence
Alcoholism
AUD is considered a brain disorder that can cause lasting changes in the brain depending on the severity and length of time that an individual struggles with it. This makes it vital that individuals seek help, as AUD is treatable. At PCP – The Perry Clayman Project, we offer treatment that is effective in helping individuals break the cycle of AUD.
Frequency of Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol is a substance that is very commonly used. Assessing drinking habits is crucial to identify potential problems or disorders related to alcohol use. It is found at parties, used during various social events, and is present in a person’s life in many ways. As a result, many individuals develop AUD. About 11.3% of adults 18 years old and older struggle with AUD, while about 3.5% of adolescents ages 12 to 17 years old have AUD.
While each story is unique, common risk factors for developing AUD include:
Drinking at an early age
Family history of alcohol abuse or addiction
Mental health challenges
A history of trauma
Current trauma
Signs and Symptoms
Due to alcohol being so commonly used, it can be difficult to distinguish between unproblematic drinking and alcohol consumption that is an issue. Heavy drinking is categorized alongside binge drinking as part of risky drinking patterns that can lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD) and significant healthcare implications. Knowing some common signs and symptoms of AUD can help. An individual with AUD may show some of the following signs:
Ends up drinking more than expected or planned regularly
Wants to cut down their drinking but struggle to
Thoughts are preoccupied with alcohol
Spends significant time recovering from drinking
Alcohol consumption makes it difficult to fulfill responsibilities
Continues drinking regardless of alcohol causing relationship issues
High-risk behaviours
Due to AUD’s impacting the brain, individuals with AUD commonly also experience physical symptoms called withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms occur when alcohol is wearing off and include:
Sleep issues
Shaking
Restlessness
Nausea
Sweating
Rapid heart rate
Fatigue
Unease
Hallucinations
Seizures
Stages of Alcohol Use Disorder
The development of AUD occurs in stages. Consuming too much alcohol can lead to serious health issues such as liver diseases, brain damage, and increased risks of accidents and mental health disorders. Therefore, their behaviour seems natural for many individuals, but it has changed dramatically over time. The first stage of AUD is early on. Behaviours of the first stage include occasional binge drinking. Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) up to .08 g/dL. In a 2-hour time window, this is four or more drinks on average for a woman and five or more drinks on average for a man.
As AUD progresses to the next phase, individuals begin drinking more alcohol consistently. The chronic phase of AUD occurs for many years. While individuals may hide it to a certain degree, friends and family members begin to see their behaviours shift as they become more physically dependent. This physical alcohol dependence is the final phase of AUD. Generally, physical dependence wreaks havoc in a person’s life, making it difficult for them to fulfill responsibilities and maintain relationships.
Management and Treatment
There is not a singular treatment or management method that works for every person with AUD. Identifying and treating patterns of unhealthy alcohol use that pose health or safety risks is crucial for effective management. However, there are components of treatment that can be put together to help individuals heal from AUD and build a life free from alcohol. These pieces include medication, therapy, and support.
Medications can be used in a variety of ways. In detox, medications can be used to ease the process of healing from physical addiction. However, medications are also a way to help individuals manage mental health challenges that play a role in their AUD.
Along with medication, therapy helps individuals truly change their behaviours. In therapy, a person looks into their past and present to understand the core issues surrounding alcohol. Additionally, they learn skills that help them to make different choices in the future. A variety of therapeutic modalities can help, and working with a mental health care provider allows an individual to be guided towards what is most likely to be helpful for them.
Finally, support from group therapy, loved ones, and professionals is important in treatment. With support, individuals have the structure they need to stay on track with their recovery goals.
Getting Help at PCP – The Perry Clayman Project
At PCP – The Perry Clayman Project, we offer detox, therapy, and support. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides authoritative data on trends in substance use disorder, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing AUD. In effect, we offer options that provide an individual with AUD what they need on their road to recovery. We address each person and their families individually. This allows us to build a program that is going to fit them.
We understand that AUD impacts an individual life in a significant way. However, we also know that families are also affected. Therefore, we help provide a chance for families to be a part of the process and heal with their loved ones.
At PCP – The Perry Clayman Project, we know that alcohol can quickly become ingrained in a person’s life and grow into a source of problematic behaviours and effects on loved ones. If you or someone you love may be struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD), call us today at 08000 380 480 to learn how our treatment programs can help.