Alcohol Addiction & Abuse-Signs, Symptoms & Recovery

While alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are related, they are not the same thing. The main difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence is that people who abuse alcohol do not have a medical condition that requires treatment, while people who are dependent on alcohol do. Individuals who are dependent on alcohol show signs of withdrawal when they don’t drink, they have a strong desire to drink, they drink large amounts more than once per week, their health is negatively impacted by excessive alcohol consumption, their ability to work is affected by their drinking habits, and/or their personal relationships have been seriously affected.

If you have an AUD and decide to quit drinking, you will most likely experience some level of alcohol withdrawal. However, you can minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms through medical intervention, especially if you have an AUD. There are several different types of withdrawal symptoms, but the most common include:

• Abdominal cramps: Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, which produces more of a substance called bilirubin. This can cause the liver to produce more of a yellowish substance called ascites, which can leak out of your liver and cause abdominal cramps.
• Nausea and vomiting: The yellowish substance (ascites) is also likely to cause nausea and vomiting.
• Sweating: When your liver processes alcohol, it produces more heat as a result. This can cause you to sweat more than usual.
• Tremors: When you are sweating a lot, you may also be shaking. Insomnia: Alcohol can disrupt your sleep cycle and make it harder for you to fall asleep.
• No appetite: When you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal, your body may not have enough energy to process hunger normally.
• Anxiety: When you have been regularly drinking heavily, the amount of the chemical serotonin in your brain has likely been reduced.

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) is a set of symptoms that occur after you stop drinking alcohol after drinking heavily or drinking heavily for a long time. AWS is more commonly referred to as “the shakes,” but it is a lot more serious than just being cold and having a slight tremor. When you have AWS, your body is going through a very serious and painful detox that can be dangerous. That’s why it’s important to get help if you think you might have AWS. There are treatments that can help make the symptoms milder and easier to manage.

People who struggle with an addiction to alcohol often suffer from other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. While this can complicate the treatment process, it is not uncommon, and it is referred to as co-occurring disorders. An AUD and co-occurring disorders can make each condition more difficult to treat, and they can complicate each other. Because of this, people with co-occurring disorders often have a more difficult time getting sober and staying sober than people without co-occurring disorders. When selecting a treatment program, you may want to consider one with experience treating people with co-occurring disorders.

If you are struggling with alcohol abuse, you should avoid using other drugs. Drugs, including prescription medications, can interact negatively with alcohol. This can cause you to experience the effects of both drugs much more strongly than usual. In some cases, this can lead to accidental overdose. An alcohol overdose can lead to an emergency situation and even death.

A medical (or “clinical”) term for “alcoholism” is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Most people use these terms interchangeably, though some healthcare providers prefer one term over the other. This diagnosis is only given to people who experience the following symptoms:

• Consuming large amounts of alcohol over a long period of time
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you go too long without alcohol
• Recognizing the negative effects of your alcohol abuse and alcoholism on your life but being unable to curb or change your habits
• Continuing to drink in spite of recurrent problems related to your alcohol use
• Spending a lot of time acquiring or drinking alcohol, or recovering from its effects
• Craving or wanting alcohol in situations where you wouldn’t expect to or when you know you shouldn’t drink alcohol
• Having cravings for alcohol that are difficult to control
• Giving up important activities because of your use of alcohol

As with most mental health disorders, risk factors for alcohol abuse vary from person to person. Some risk factors include:

• Being under the age of 21: The younger you are when you start drinking, the more likely you are to develop a problem with alcohol.
• Having a family history of alcoholism: People whose families have a history of alcoholism are more likely to develop an AUD themselves.
• Having a mental health disorder: People with mental health disorders are more likely to develop another mental health disorder, including an AUD.
• Being in a situation where you are drinking more often or in larger quantities than you planned: If you find yourself drinking more often or in larger quantities than planned while you are at a party or out with friends, this can be a warning sign that you have a problem.

If you think that you might have a problem with alcohol abuse, the first thing that you should do is get educated. Reading up on the topic can help you to identify the signs of a problem and determine if it is something that you need to address. Use that information to talk to your doctor about your concerns. Your doctor can recommend different treatment options for alcohol abuse, including attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other group therapy sessions. If you don’t think that an AUD is appropriate for you, it can be helpful to find a therapist to talk to about your concerns. A therapist can help you to get a better understanding of your habits and decide how to proceed from there. With enough time, it is possible to fully recover from alcoholism and lead a happy and fulfilling life in sobriety.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, Sober Living Housing Los Angeles may be able to provide the support and resources needed to overcome this challenging condition. Our sober living house offers a safe and supportive environment for individuals in recovery, providing a sense of community and a structured program to help individuals achieve their goals. With our focus on long-term recovery, we are dedicated to helping our residents develop the skills and tools needed to maintain a sober lifestyle and build a brighter future. If you or someone you know could benefit from our sober living housing program, please reach out for more information.