Alcohol
Everything you need to know about Alcohol dependence and treatment options from Northlake.
Alcohol
Alcohol is the most abused substance and is especially problematic since it is legal for consumption. It is the ingredient found in beer, wine, and spirits that causes drunkenness when consumed.
Risky/Binge Drinking
Risky drinking is consuming alcohol in situations that increase the risk for harm. An example could be drinking before driving, while taking certain medications, or even drinking while pregnant. Binge drinking is a form of risky drinking and occurs when someone has four to five or more drinks during a single occasion.
Risky drinking often leads to more severe alcohol misuse and alcohol dependence.
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse is when someone regularly uses alcohol despite the negative consequences. Alcohol abuse occurs when someone displays at least of one of the following signs within a one-year period.
- Failure in meeting responsibilities in the workplace, home, or school
- Driving or operating heavy machinery while impaired from alcohol use
- Experiencing familial, and social problems from alcohol misuse
Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol dependence is also known as alcohol addiction or alcoholism. Alcohol dependence is a chronic disease and can be diagnosed when someone displays at least three of the following signs within a one-year period.
- Continuing to use greater and greater amount of alcohol due to increased tolerance
- Continuing to use alcohol despite negative physical and psycho-social problems
- Decrease in work, social activities or hobbies due to alcohol use
- Inability to reduce or stop alcohol use
- Inability to control the frequency of alcohol use or amount of alcohol when consumed
- Spending considerable time in obtaining and using alcohol
Alcohol dependence is also known as alcoholism. Alcohol dependence is a long-lasting chronic disease and can be diagnosed when someone displays at least three of the following signs in a one-year period.
- Continuing to use greater and greater amounts of alcohol due to increased tolerance
- Continuing to use alcohol despite negative physical and psycho-social problems
- Decrease in work, social activities or hobbies due to alcohol use
- Inability to reduce or stop alcohol use
- Inability to control the frequency of alcohol use or quantity of alcohol when consumed
- Spending considerable time in obtaining and using alcohol
Alcohol dependence leads to alcohol withdrawal which is when there are adverse symptoms when alcohol is no longer used.
Symptoms of alcohol dependence include:
- Anxiety
- Delirium Tremens
- Depression
- Heart Attack
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Vomiting
Contributing Factors to Alcohol Dependence
Contributing risk factors for alcohol dependence include environmental and genetic factors. Someone whose family members suffer from alcohol dependence may have genetic predisposition. Alcohol use and more especially alcohol abuse creates changes in the brain which can increase alcohol dependence. Engaging in education about alcohol use and social support can help reduce and even prevent alcohol dependence.
Prognosis of Alcohol Abuse
- Cancer
- Cirrhosis
- Compromised immune system
- Coronary heart disease
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- Kidney Disease
- Stroke
Diagnosis and Treatment of Alcohol Dependence
Interventions in alcohol dependence can reduce negative consequences of alcohol use including physical, social, and financial costs.
Screening
Screening identifies the symptoms of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Often, there are co-occurring mental illnesses identified during screening that is important in effective treatment.
Assessment & Treatment
An individual first needs to get a comprehensive assessment that provides a full understanding of the severity of the alcohol dependence. If an individual goes through detox before treatment, this would be considered acute detox which can last up to several days but it depends on the severity of alcohol use. Individuals with more mild alcohol dependence can benefit from counseling sessions that are both group sessions and individual sessions that provide important insights and coping methods in a setting such as intensive outpatient and outpatient treatment. An individual might also need medication which would be MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment). This type of treatment is also paired with group sessions and individual sessions along with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings for a support system.
Northlake offers the following types of treatments to help people suffering from alcohol abuse including:
- Medically Monitored Detox
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Intensive Outpatient & Outpatient Treatment
- Support Groups
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