What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Boston
September 24, 2024
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? Your Guide To Alcohol Addiction In Boston
Many people partake in alcoholic refreshments every once in a while. But alcohol can be addictive. If you start using alcohol to cope with life or find you’re not able to manage your drinking, you might have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This disorder can swifty overtake your life and adversely influence all the pursuits you enjoyed before.
But don’t lose hope. If you feel you or a person you care about have alcohol use disorder near Boston, treatment and lasting recovery are possible. Discover more about AUD and the steps to take if you need support right now.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is an illness where you feel the urge to drink alcohol in spite of the negative ramifications of overconsumption. Your brain calls for alcohol’s mind-altering qualities and fails to operate reliably without them. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. At its most intense, you are in danger of overdosing on alcohol with lethal consequences.
As a result of AUD, you could develop an alcohol addiction and experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking. Without expert help, you cannot keep yourself from ingesting alcohol to mitigate the difficulty your body undergoes when you try to detox from alcohol. If you do manage to quit “cold turkey,” you will still need to counter the practice of regular drinking. AUD needs professional treatment to recover completely.
Why Do People Develop Alcohol Use Disorder?
Lots of individuals in Boston drink, but not everyone develops an alcohol use disorder. A variety of factors help determine your probability of experiencing AUD:
- Drinking at an early age
- Underlying mental illness
- Past trauma
- Insufficient coping skills
- Genetics
- Family history of alcohol addiction
Countless individuals begin misusing alcohol in response to major stressors. Without healthy coping strategies, it’s simple to counteract the uneasy feelings that stem from trauma and mental illness with the mind-altering effects of alcohol. When those unwanted feelings come back, you reach for alcohol to subdue them again. You feel better temporarily when using alcohol.
Regrettably, alcohol is not a solution. When you use it habitually, you might become reliant on those chemicals to go about life. Without them, you feel more uncomfortable than you did prior and are urged to drink more. In time, drinking consumes your life and unfavorably infuences your relationships, job, finances, wellnes, and pastimes. When you become caught in this devastating spiral, you cannot cease drinking without specialized treatment.
What Are Some Alcohol Addiction Symptoms?
Regular drinking doesn’t definitively indicate a disorder. Alcohol use manifests into a disorder when it starts to disrupt your life. Various behaviors connected with drinking can signal an alcohol use disorder.
You might have AUD if you:
- Frequently drink longer or more than you planned
- Are unable to cease drinking even when you want to
- Spend much time seeking and using alcohol, even though it makes you feel bad or impedes other aspects of life
- Compulsions are so strong you are unable to direct attention on other obligations
- Have participated in risky behaviors while drinking alcohol
- Need to drink more than you did previously in order to attain the desired result
- Have given up activities you used to enjoy to make time for drinking
- Continual drinking despite its influence on family and friends
- Suffer withdrawal symptoms when you quit drinking
The severity of your AUD often corresponds to the number of symptoms you have. But any individual who’s demonstrating signs of alcohol addiction symptoms near Boston is entitled to professional therapy and guidance. You don’t have to take on alcohol use disorder on your own.
What You Should Know About Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
If you are addicted to alcohol, your body needs it to function. If you halt usage, you get sick. This is referred to as withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary for each person and reflect your level of alcohol use. If you go into withdrawal, you might face any mix of these symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Racing heart
- Fever
- Increased blood pressure
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are a tell-tale indication that you or a person you care about has AUD and needs help. Withdrawal is often agonizing and, in rare cases, even deadly if not addressed by medical professionals. If a person you care about| wishes to quit alcohol but faces withdrawal when they try, contact a Boston substance use treatment facility for support.
Can You “Cure” Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol use disorder and addiction are considered chronic illnesses. Technically, there is no cure. But, there is a chance for long-term recovery. With a customized combination of medical and mental health support, you can find how to manage the compulsion to drink and reach your goal of a sober life. It’s a difficult process, but many people overcome alcohol use disorder in Boston and take back control of their lives.
Finding Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment In Boston
No one can attain sobriety on their own–and you shouldn’t have to! Seeking alcohol use disorder treatment near Boston may feel intimidating, but you have a right to expert treatment to help get your life back on track.
Alcohol use recovery may feel more feasible when you perceive it as several steps. You won’t find single journey to a sober life. Numerous people endure setbacks and undertake certain steps multiple times. But rest assured, you can get help from family members and accredited practitioners over the course of your journey.
Alcohol detox: Your preliminary step is to detox from alcohol. As your system removes those chemicals, you need medical guidance to maintain your safety and comfort. If you’re prepared to stop your alcohol use, seek admittance to a residential detox center near Boston. You will get round-the-clock care for one or two weeks as you undergo withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab: After you detox, your mind and body will still crave alcohol. You must transfer to residential alcohol rehab where medical providers can assist you in managing post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol rehab centers upon repairing your brain from the impact of alcohol use. You’ll go to therapy each day to treat the mental aspects of AUD. You’ll stay in rehab for whatever length of time is right for you.
Outpatient addiction care: Rehab will get you stable enough to go back home, but you will still want continued support to stay sober. Don’t depart rehab without joining an outpatient addiction program that supplies therapy and medical-assisted treatment. You can live at home or at a sober living residence, but you still need to see psychotherapists and a doctor during the week.
Sober living: Over time, your need for addiction services will abate. But, recovery is a life-long endeavor. Rely on the network of addiction professionals, loved ones, and new mentors you have built to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Steer clear of scenarios that push you to consume alcohol. Find help whenever you need it. Long-term recovery is possible!
Find Help Now For Alcohol Use Disorder Near Boston
You don’t need to battle alcohol addiction by yourself. Call Sunrise Detox Millbury to get compassionate, professional alcohol use disorder treatment near Boston. You can contact us at 508-506-8940 or by filling out the following form. One of our team members will respond immediately, no matter the hour or day. Your call is free and confidential. We’ll provide the care you require today.