Alcoholism, which is often referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder in which a person has a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol and experiences a pattern of excessive or uncontrollable alcohol use. This means that it’s hard for a person to stop thinking about alcohol and change how much they consume, even if it has a harmful impact on their life. Even if they try to stop drinking, they may experience difficult or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol addiction can lead to serious health complications, such as: depression high blood pressure liver damage heart failure certain types of cancers

Can alcohol addiction be cured?

There is no magic cure for alcoholism but it is treatable and manageable. With a treatment plan that meets a person’s specific needs, the brain and body can recover from the effects of alcohol while a person learns coping skills to control cravings and sustain long-term recovery. Some common components of an alcohol addiction treatment plan include: Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT): Prescription drugs like Naltrexone and Vivitrol can help physically reduce the desire to drink. Counseling and therapy: Individual or group therapy sessions, or a combination of both, help manage emotions and learn coping skills to overcome challenges. Peer support groups: Groups bring together people with Alcohol Use Disorder in a shared, private forum to learn from each other’s experiences and act as a support system through the recovery journey. Treatment for other medical conditions: Health care services can treat and manage any of the short and long-term health effects associated with Alcohol Use Disorder. Treatment for mental or behavioral health needs: Psychiatric medications, used in combination with therapy, can help treat co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that occur at the same time as alcohol addiction.

How do I know if I have a problem with alcohol? Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the symptoms of alcoholism?

It’s not always easy to determine if someone has an alcohol use disorder. Some people may seem perfectly healthy and functional in their daily lives but they keep their alcohol use a secret from loved ones. Common symptoms can include: Drinking alcohol in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than you had originally meant Wanting or trying to cut back or control your alcohol use but struggle to do so successfully Spending much of your time spent on activities related to alcohol–both the drinking itself and recovering from hangovers and the physical side-effects of drinking Craving alcohol so badly that it consumes all of your thoughts Dealing with alcohol or hangovers that interfere with work, family, or other responsibilities Continuing to drink alcohol even though it causes problems with your family or friends Giving up on important activities or interesting hobbies that you once liked in order to drink alcohol instead Getting into unsafe or risky situations while or after drinking, such as walking in a dangerous area, fighting, swimming, driving, or having unsafe sex Drinking even though it makes you feel depressed or anxious, causes memory loss from blackouts or contributes to any other health problems Drinking much more to get the effect you want or noticing that your usual number of drinks has less of an effect than usual Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, like insomnia, irritable mood, upset stomach, or even a seizure, after the alcohol wears off

Alcohol is a part of many cultures across the world and has been used as a way to celebrate, relax, or socialize for hundreds of years. Even though alcohol use is commonplace, it’s not always easy to tell if someone has a problem with alcohol. Not everyone stays at a bar all-day or struggles to keep their life together. Some people appear “high-functioning” but privately, they may face constant struggles with their alcohol use.

If you are wondering whether you have a problem with alcohol, taking this quiz is a good place to start. Keep in mind that this is not a diagnostic tool. It serves as a self-assessment to prompt awareness and reflection. If you think you might have alcohol use disorder (AUD), look for help from a qualified healthcare professional. They can advise on treatment and how to approach your diagnosis.

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Understanding Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol use disorder varies from person-to-person.If you have AUD, you might not display all of the signs associated with the condition. This is because this often varies depending on the severity of the case. Reflecting the impact of alcohol in your life and whether you can drink safely or control how much you drink can help you figure out where you stand.

What are the symptoms of alcoholism?

Symptoms of alcohol use disorder point towards a difficulty in controlling your alcohol intake and drinking getting in the way of work, relationships and social lives. Alcohol use disorder also causes distinct withdrawal symptoms and can cause or worsen mental health conditions. The severity of AUD is determined by your symptoms.

Severity of Alcohol Use Disorder

Mild AUD: People with mild AUD display early signs of problematic drinking, such as occasional loss of control or drinking despite mild consequences. Alcohol use may start to interfere with daily responsibilities or relationships but not significantly.

Moderate AUD: Alcohol intake starts to have a noticeable impact on life, such as increasing difficulty in managing responsibilities or relationships. Cravings, tolerance, or withdrawal symptoms may be present. For example, people might miss work or neglect family obligations due to drinking or its aftereffects.

Severe AUD: At this point, alcohol use dominates daily life, with frequent risky behaviors and serious health, legal, or social consequences. The person has developed a strong physical dependence, including significant withdrawal symptoms when not drinking. People with severe AUD might drink throughout the day, ignore major responsibilities, and experience severe health or interpersonal issues.

Recognizing the severity of AUD will help determine the most effective treatment approach to help you regain control over alcohol use. Mild AUD can progress over time and become more difficult to manage. This is why it’s so important to engage in treatment as soon as possible.

What Is a High Functioning Alcoholic?

A high-functioning alcoholic is someone who appears to maintain a normal life despite having Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). They may excel at work, maintain relationships, and fulfill daily responsibilities, all while struggling with problematic drinking. This term is not a clinical diagnosis but rather a description of a person’s behavior and how their alcohol use is masked by their outward success.

You don’t need to hit “rock bottom” to be diagnosed with an alcohol addiction. For high-functioning alcoholics, their issues with alcohol may affect other areas of their lives outside of work and relationships, or their condition may not have progressed to a point of life impairment.

Is Binge Drinking the Same Thing as Alcohol Addiction?

Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, binge drinking refers to drinking a large amount of alcohol at one time. For men, it’s drinking five or more drinks within two hours. For women, it is four or more drinks within two hours. Drinking excessively from time to time does not mean someone has an alcoholism but it does put them at a higher risk for developing it over time.

Knowing When To Seek Help For AUD

Many people believe that addiction is caused by a person’s moral weakness or lack of self-control. In reality, medical research has proven that addiction is a complex brain illness that can affect any person, regardless of their character, strength, or lifestyle. Oftentimes, individuals with great strength and motivation give in to addiction and willpower alone is not enough to prevent relapses.

It can be difficult to admit to potential problems with your own behavior but recognizing the signs early on is one of the most important steps towards a successful, long-term recovery. No matter what your challenges are with alcohol, addiction treatment can help you regain control over alcohol and rebuild your confidence throughout the recovery journey.

At Eleanor Health, we provide outpatient treatment for AUD and other substance use disorders. All of our services are available online, and we also have in-person appointments available at most locations. Learn about your treatment options in Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Washington.