kathy ireland® Recovery Centers

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains one of the top avoidable causes of death for adults. The symptoms and side effects can last a lifetime if they go untreated. According to MedlinePlus, “about 18 million adult Americans have an alcohol use disorder,” with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. The clinical teams at our various kathy ireland® Recovery Centers can successfully treat AUD and related mental health conditions.

Depending on your symptoms, you may need to undergo treatment for AUD under close medical supervision during detox and withdrawal to ensure you remain comfortable and safe from possible complications. At our Williamson, WV, location, we offer residential detox and withdrawal stabilization. Our network continues to expand, and we will soon offer more facilities with various programs designed to treat severe and mild AUD. Learn more by visiting the page on Our Locations.

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?

According to the previously mentioned MedlinePlus report, you may meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) if you experienced some or all of the following within a twelve-month period: 

  • Drank more or for longer than you intended
  • Were unable to stop or cut down on your alcohol consumption despite repeated attempts
  • Spent an excessive amount of time drinking alcohol, thinking about alcohol, or recovering from alcohol misuse
  • Experienced cravings
  • Felt like drinking alcohol or recovering from alcohol misuse caused problems for your family, work, or school
  • Continued to drink despite negative consequences
  • Developed symptoms of depression or anxiety
  • Developed tolerance and required more alcohol to achieve the same effect
  • Experienced withdrawal symptoms like shakiness, irritability, sweating, fever, depression, or anxiety

Chronic alcohol misuse can lead to more severe symptoms. Many people are unaware that they frequently overdrink. If you identify with more than one of the signs listed above, you may benefit from professional treatment. Not everyone who exhibits these behaviors has an alcohol use disorder. To find out more, you can reach out to our office or speak with your doctor.

The Dangers of Binge Drinking

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “In 2019, 25.8 percent of people ages 18 and older (29.7 percent of men in this age group and 22.2 percent of women in this age group) reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month.”

Binge drinking means consuming enough alcohol to reach a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08%. Four to five alcoholic drinks within a few hours can be considered binge drinking.

Binge drinking can lead to blackouts, unconsciousness, and potentially fatal risk-taking behaviors. According to NIAAA, alcohol is a factor in:

  • 30% of suicides
  • 40% of fatal burn injuries
  • 50% of fatal drownings and homicides
  • 65% of fatal falls
  • 29% of motor vehicle fatalities
  • 50% of emergency department visits
Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction

How to Talk to a Loved One About Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol misuse is socially acceptable in many areas, while AUD and treatment are often stigmatized, making it difficult to discuss the subject with friends and family. You can intervene on behalf of a loved one by presenting them with facts about the consequences of their behavior and offering resources to assist with rehabilitation and sobriety.

Identifying significant motivators and using those to show how alcohol consumption can stop your loved ones from achieving their goals can make a difference. Common motivators for change include:

  • The health and safety of children and significant others
  • Career advancement
  • School achievements
  • A desire to improve personal health and happiness

When talking to a loved one about getting treatment for AUD, it is essential not to use blaming language. Instead, stick to facts and stay focused on positive changes they can make instead of focusing on past mistakes

How We Treat It

At kathy ireland® Recovery Centers, we can treat alcohol use disorder using inpatient or outpatient programs depending on several factors, including:

  • The severity of your symptoms
  • Current health status
  • Personal and family medical history
  • Any previous instances of relapse

We use psychotherapy and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to relieve symptoms and manage cravings during continuing care. In addition, we use certain medications to decrease the temptation to drink. For example, acamprosate reduces symptoms and cravings, while disulfiram causes uncomfortable side effects if you drink to discourage you from backsliding. Psychotherapy we offer to treat AUD include:

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Group therapy
Alcohol Addiction

Long-Term Recovery and Aftercare Services

Completing a rehabilitation program is only the beginning of your recovery journey. You may require long-term therapy for related mental health disorders or lingering symptoms of withdrawal. Your case manager will ensure that you get access to the best continuing care and resources that will make the transition to the next stage of care straightforward. Some of the aftercare services we provide include: 

  • State and local financial and job placement services
  • Referrals to treatment programs or doctor and therapist offices
  • Contact details for community-based resources

You are not alone. We will continue to help you overcome challenges on your road to recovery. At kathy ireland® Recovery Centers, you are more than a diagnosis, and we will do everything possible to help you achieve a healthier life.

Alcohol use disorder can affect your mental, physical, and emotional health.

At kathy ireland® Recovery Centers, we can help you recover from the effects of alcohol use disorder (AUD) using evidence-based treatments and therapies. To learn more about our services and various treatment locations, call us today: (603) 619-1132.

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