What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Boston
September 24, 2024
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Boston
Many people indulge in alcoholic refreshments every once in a while. But alcohol can be addictive. If you ingest alcohol to get through life or cannot control your drinking, you may have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This condition can rapidly overtake your life and have a adverse affect on all the things you once enjoyed.
But there is hope. If you think you or a person you care about have alcohol use disorder near Boston, support and lasting recovery are attainable. Discover more about AUD and what to do if you need guidance immediately.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is an illness where you feel the need to drink alcohol despite the detrimental repercussions of overconsumption. Your brain craves alcohol’s mind-altering effects and no longer functions properly without them. AUD can be severe, moderate, or mild. At its most intense, you are in danger of overdosing on alcohol with potentially deadly repercussions.
When you have AUD, you could develop an alcohol addiction and suffer unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking. Without specialized help, you aren’t able to keep yourself from ingesting alcohol to mitigate the discomfort your body undergoes when you detox from alcohol. If you do manage to stop “cold turkey,” you still must counter the routine of consistent drinking. AUD needs professional treatment to fully recover.
Why Do People Develop Alcohol Use Disorder?
Lots of residents of Boston drink, but not everyone develops an alcohol use disorder. Various factors help determine your odds of experiencing AUD:
- Drinking at a young age
- Existing mental health disorders
- Past trauma
- Inadequate coping skills
- Genetics
- Family history of alcohol addiction
Many individuals begin binging on alcohol as a response to high levels of stress. Without constructive coping strategies, it’s easy to counteract the uncomfortable feelings that stem from trauma and mental illness with the brain-altering effects of alcohol. If those feelings return, you reach for alcohol to block them again. You feel temporarily better under the influence of alcohol.
But, alcohol is not ever a solution. When you use it habitually, you can develop a dependency on those chemicals to function. Without them, you feel more uncomfortable than you did before and are compelled to drink more. Soon, drinking consumes your life and adversely impacts your well-being, relationships, finances, job and pastimes. When you become ensnared in this endless spiral, you cannot stop drinking without skilled treatment.
What Are Some Alcohol Addiction Symptoms?
Frequent drinking doesn’t automatically mean you have a disorder. Alcohol use progresses into a disorder when it starts to disrupt your life. Numerous negative behaviors associated with drinking can signal an alcohol use disorder.
You might have AUD if you:
- Often drink in excess of or longer than you had intended
- Are not able to quit drinking even when you want to
- Spend a lot of time seeking and drinking alcohol, even though it makes you feel bad or disrupts other parts of life
- Urges are so strong you aren’t able to concentrate on other things
- Have engaged in dangerous behaviors while consuming alcohol
- Must drink more than before in order to achieve the sought-after feeling
- Have forsaken enjoyable activities to make time for drinking
- Persistent drinking despite its impact on loved ones
- Experience withdrawal symptoms when you cease drinking alcohol
The severity of your AUD typically correlates to the number of symptoms you have. But any individual who’s demonstrating signs of alcohol addiction symptoms near Boston deserves specialized therapy and guidance. You don’t have to face alcohol use disorder by yourself.
What You Need To Know About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have an alcohol addiction, your system needs it to operate. If you stop drinking, you get sick. This is known as withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person and are reflective of how intense your alcohol consumption is. If you begin to withdrawal, you could face any of these symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Anxious feelings
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Heart racing
- Fever
- Elevated blood pressure
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a tell-tale indicator that you or someone you love has AUD and should get help. Withdrawal can be agonizing and, in severe cases, even fatal if not addressed by medical specialists. If an individual close to you| wants to give up alcohol but endures withdrawal whenever they make an attempt, turn to a Boston substance use treatment facility for help.
Can You “Cure” Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol use disorder and addiction are deemed chronic diseases. Technically speaking, there isn’t a cure. But, a lasting recovery is a real possibility. With the right combination of mental health and medical care, you can find how to control the urge to drink and attain a sober life. It’s an arduous pursuit, but numerous people recover from alcohol use disorder in Boston and regain control of their lives.
Getting Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment In Boston
No one can attain sobriety alone–and there’s no reason to do so! Getting alcohol use disorder treatment near Boston can feel intimidating, but you are entitled to professional care to help you get your life back together.
Alcohol use recovery may feel more doable when you perceive it as a series of steps steps. There isn’t a single journey to a sober life. Countless individuals relapse and undertake some of these steps multiple times. But rest assured, you can get help from family and trained practitioners over the course of your recovery.
Alcohol detox: Your initial step is alcohol detox. While your system flushes out the alcohol, you require medical guidance that keeps you safe and relaxed. Whenever you’re set to stop your alcohol use, enter a residential detox center near Boston. They will provide 24-hour guidance for 7 days or more as you undergo withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab: After detoxing, your mind and body will still yearn for alcohol. You must proceed to residential alcohol rehab where medical professionals can assist you in navigating post-acute withdrawal. Alcohol rehab centers upon repairing your brain from the influence of alcohol usage. You’ll attend therapy each day to look at the mental side of AUD. You’ll remain in rehab as long as necessary.
Outpatient addiction care: Rehab will get you stable enough to go home, but you’ll still require constant support to keep on a path of sobriety. Don’t depart rehab without joining an outpatient addiction program that offers therapy and medically guided treatment. You are able to stay at home or in a sober living residence, but you still need to visit therapists and a doctor throughout the week.
Sober living: Over time, your need for treatment will subside. But, recovery is a long-term undertaking. Tap into the network of addiction experts, family, and new mentors you have built to continue living a healthy life. Steer clear of scenarios that push you to use. Get help when you need it. Long-term recovery can be achieved!
Get The Help You Need Now For Alcohol Use Disorder Near Boston
You don’t need to battle alcohol addiction alone. Turn to AffinityOne Millbury to learn more about caring, professional alcohol use disorder treatment near Boston. You may request help at (508) 859-7782 or by completing the form below. One of our team members will respond right away, no matter the day or time. Your call is free and confidential. We’ll get you the care you need today.