What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Boston
September 23, 2024
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Boston
An abundance of people enjoy alcoholic beverages on occasion. But alcohol can be addictive. If you consume alcohol to deal with life or cannot control your drinking, you might have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This disorder can rapidly take over your life and adversely affect all the activities you once enjoyed.
But there is hope. If you suspect you or someone you love have alcohol use disorder near Boston, treatment and lasting recovery are within reach. Discover more about AUD and the steps to take if you require support right now.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition where you feel the urge to use alcohol in spite of the adverse consequences of having too much. Your brain calls for the mind-altering chemicals in alcohol and fails to operate properly without them. AUD may be severe, moderate, or mild. At its severest, you are in jeopardy of an overdose with fatal repercussions.
As part of AUD, you could develop an alcohol addiction and have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop using. Without specialized support, you cannot prevent yourself from consuming alcohol to ease the discomfort your body undergoes when you detox from alcohol. If you can quit “cold turkey,” you will still need to combat the practice of consistent drinking. AUD must have specialized treatment to enjoy a total recovery.
Why Do Some People Develop Alcohol Use Disorder?
Many people in Boston drink, but not every person develops an alcohol use disorder. Various factors influence your odds of experiencing AUD:
- Drinking from an early age
- Core mental illness
- Past trauma
- Inadequate coping abilities
- Genetics
- Family history of alcohol use disorder
Countless individuals begin binging on alcohol in response to high levels of stress. With a lack of constructive coping mechanisms, it’s easy to counteract the uncomfortable feelings that stem from traumatic expereinces and mental illness with the mind-altering effects of alcohol. If those unwanted feelings return, you reach for alcohol to shut them down again. You feel better for a bit under the influence of alcohol.
Regrettably, alcohol is not the solution. When you drink it habitually, you can become reliant on those chemicals to go about life. When you go without them, you feel worse than you did prior and are urged to drink even more. Over time, drinking controls your life and negatively affects your health, relationships, finances, job and pastimes. When you become ensnared in this downward spiral, you can’t quit drinking without specialized care.
What Are Common Alcohol Addiction Symptoms?
Continual drinking doesn’t necessarily signify a disorder. Alcohol usage progresses into a disorder when it starts to interfere with your life. Various behaviors associated with drinking can indicate an alcohol use disorder.
You could have AUD if you:
- Regularly drink more or longer than you were expecting
- Can’t stop drinking even when wanting to
- Spend much time seeking and drinking alcohol, even though it makes you feel bad or impedes other activities
- Compulsions are so powerful you are unable to focus on other obligations
- Have taken part in dangerous behaviors while consuming alcohol
- Must drink more than you did previously in order to attain the wanted feeling
- Have abandoned enjoyable activities to make more time for drinking
- Continual drinking despite its effect on loved ones
- Have withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking
The intensity of your AUD generally relates to the number of symptoms you endure. But any individual who’s displaying indicators of alcohol addiction symptoms near Boston has a right to expert therapy and support. You don’t have to take on alcohol use disorder alone.
What To Know About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have an addiction to alcohol, your system requires it to perform. If you stop drinking, your body gets sick. This is called withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary for each individual and reflect your level of alcohol use. If you go into withdrawal, you might endure any of these symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Feelings of anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Heart racing
- Fever
- Increased blood pressure
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a tell-tale sign that you or a person you care about has AUD and should get help. Withdrawal is often agonizing and, in rare cases, even lethal if not controlled by medical specialists. If someone you care about| desires to give up alcohol but faces withdrawal when they attempt to, turn to a Boston substance use treatment provider for help.
Can Alcohol Addiction Be “Cured”?
Alcohol use disorder and addiction are considered chronic diseases. With that in mind, there is no cure. But, there is a possibility for lasting recovery. With a customized combination of medical and mental health care, you can learn to control the urge to drink and achieve a sober lifestyle. It’s a challenging pursuit, but many people overcome alcohol use disorder in Boston and regain control of their lives.
Finding Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment In Boston
Nobody can attain sobriety by themselves–and there’s no reason to do so! Finding alcohol use disorder treatment near Boston might feel daunting, but you are entitled to skilled treatment to help you get yourself on a path of lasting sobriety.
Alcohol use recovery may feel less daunting when you look at it as a series of steps steps. There isn’t a single pathway to a sober lifestyle. Many people endure relapses and go through certain steps multiple times. But you should know, you can get help from loved ones and trained professionals over the course of your journey to recovery.
Alcohol detox: Your initial step is alcohol detox. As your body eliminates the alcohol, you require medical guidance that keeps you comfortable and safe. Whenever you’re prepared to stop your alcohol use, enter a residential detox center near Boston. You will get round-the-clock care for 7 days or more as you undergo withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab: After you detox, your mind and body will still yearn for alcohol. You must move forward to residential alcohol rehab where medical providers can assist you in managing post-acute withdrawal. Alcohol rehab centers upon repairing your brain from the impact of alcohol usage. You’ll go to therapy every day to look at the mental side of AUD. You’ll stay in rehab for whatever length of time is right for you.
Outpatient addiction support: Rehab will get you stable enough to return home, but you will still want continued support to stay sober. Don’t depart rehab without joining an outpatient addiction program that offers therapy and medication-assisted treatment. You may reside at home or in a sober living facility, but you still should visit counselors and a doctor during the week.
Sober living: Over time, your need for therapy will taper off. But, recovery is a long-term endeavor. Turn to the network of addiction experts, loved ones, and new mentors you have put together to maintain a healthy way of life. Steer clear of scenarios that compel you to drink. Get help if you ever need it. Lasting recovery can be accomplished!
Get The Help You Need Now For Alcohol Use Disorder Near Boston
You don’t have to battle alcohol addiction by yourself. Turn to Evolve Recovery Center Millbury to get caring, specialized alcohol use disorder treatment near Boston. You can request help at 508-475-5676 or by submitting the form on this page. One of our friendly staff members will answer you promptly, no matter the time or day. Your call is free and private. We’ll help you get the treatment you require today.