quitting alcohol

Do you have a problem with alcohol? Substance Abuse Treatment

Do you have a problem with alcohol? Substance Abuse Treatment

Drinking problems affect a staggering 15 million Americans according to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 

People are less likely to seek help for alcohol use addiction as there is little social stigma attached to alcohol consumption. Our culture tells us our alcohol use isn’t that bad. It is inaccurate to believe that someone with a problem with alcohol has to be living under a bridge, without a job, and drinking a bottle from a brown paper bag. You also do not have to be daily drinker of alcohol. Since men and women have different metabolic rates, the definition of binge drinking for men is consuming five alcoholic beverages within two hours, and for women, it is four drinks in two hours. 

Ninety percent of adults with addictions began to use drugs or alcohol before age 18. 

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a substance use disorder, is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD can range from mild, to severe, and recovery is possible regardless of severity”. 

Some questions you may want to ask yourself if you think you have a problem with alcohol. 

• Had times when you ended up drinking alcohol more or longer than intended? 
• More than once wanted or tried to reduce or stop drinking but couldn’t? 
• Spent a lot of time drinking or being sick from the after effects? 
• Wanted a drink so badly you couldn’t think of anything else? 
• Continued to drink alcohol even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends? 
• • Given up or cut back on activities that were important, interesting or pleasurable to you in order to drink? 
• • More than once gotten into situations while or after consuming alcohol that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as swimming, driving, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area or having unsafe sex)?

• • Continued to drink alcohol even though it was making you feel depressed, anxious or adding to another health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?

• • Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, racing heart or a seizure?

• The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence points out that dangerous drinking can cause a number of other health issues and not just for the person doing the drinking. There are 100,000 people who die every year as a result of drinking and driving, other accidents, falls, fires, suicides, and homicides related to alcohol consumption. 
• Alcohol and other substance abuse disorders commonly occur with other mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder to name a few.

There are treatment options available, such as an intensive outpatient program, 12 step support groups, and individual counseling. Treating addiction is not a one size fits all. 

But know that here is hope for living a life without using alcohol. 

Written By,

Christina Rife, LPC, NCC 

Sources. 

*The criteria come from an authoritative handbook known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (or DSM-5). 

Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh in Monroeville

2539 Monroeville BLVD Monroeville PA 15146