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