Alcohol Addiction Causes, Signs, Symptoms and Treatment - RecoveryHQ

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Alcoholism
ADDICTION RECOVERY GATEWAY
and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Presenter RecoveryHQ www.recoveryhq.com
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Alcoholism is a condition where a person has a
desire, craving or physical need to consume
alcohol, despite negative consequences.
Dependence may begin as psychological and can
develop into physical, when the body requires
alcohol to function physically. As a result,
alcohol is consumed obsessively, in
uncontrolled amounts and can lead to
psychological and physical harm.
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Alcohol Addiction and
Age Age
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AUD Statistics
A recent study published in the Archives of
General Psychiatry estimated that about 30
percent of Americans reported having an alcohol
disorder at some point in their lives. Over half
(17.8) were due to alcohol abuse and the
remainder to alcohol dependence (12.5).
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Alcohol abuse developed at an average age of 22.5
Alcohol dependence developed at an average age
of 21.9 On average, patients begin to receive
treatment 8 years after the age at which they
develop the condition
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Alcohol Abuse
Dependency
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Causes of
Alcoholism and Alcohol Use Disorder
There are several interrelated factors that can
result in alcohol abuse or addiction. Examples
of causes that can influence the development of
alcoholism include biological, psychological,
and social/environmental factors. Biological
influences that may attribute to alcohol
addiction include a genetic component.
Psychological factors connected with alcoholism
include but are not limited to cases of abuse,
underlying traumas, feelings of depression, and
anxiety.
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Add a little bit of body test negligence of
responsibilities at work, home, and school due
to substance abuse Drinking as a method of coping
or de-stressing Increase in legal difficulties
as a result of drinking Inability to control or
regulate drinking or behavior while under the
influence Inability to quit drinking even if
desired Loss of interest in other activities
once enjoyed. Preoccupation with alcohol and
drinking Drinking in isolation Storing/hiding
alcohol in unlikely places or hiding
evidence/empty bottles Increased tolerance to
alcohol so that greater amounts are needed to
feel its effects
Signs and
Symptoms of
Alcohol
Abuse and
Dependence
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Alcohol Effects
3. Social Effects Alcohol addiction may also
result in several negative social effects.
1. Physical Effects
2. Psychological
Effects Alcoholism can also negatively
influence mental health.
Abuse of alcohol is detrimental to the normal
mechanisms and functions of the human body.
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Residential Treatment
which can be a short-term program lasting a few
weeks or months, or a long-term program lasting
a year or more. Residential treatment typically
follows inpatient treatment and is appropriate
for those who previously attended an inpatient
and/or outpatient program, but who need
continued support or supervision to maintain
sobriety. Outpatient Treatment where a person
attends treatment for a few hours per day, 2 to
3 times per week, but can continue living at
home. This type of treatment may be the first
stage of treatment for someone with a less
severe AUD. Alcoholics Anonymous the original
12 step recovery program, is a fellowship of men
and women who share their experience, strength
and hope with each other that they may solve
their common problem and help others to recover
from alcoholism.
Alcoholism Treatment
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Non 12 Step Programs
there are many effective alternatives to the
12-step addiction recovery approach which help
people overcome alcoholism and alcohol abuse
including SMART Recovery, Life Ring, Celebrate
Recovery, and more. Alcohol Counseling is one
element of treating alcoholism. A counselor will
be able to offer guidance and support along your
journey to an alcohol-free life and may also be
a way to learn strategies to employ in the real
world when trying to stay sober after treatment.
Alcoholism Treatment
Lifestyle Change
rehab, 12 step programs and counselors may not be
the only tool for recovery from alcohol
addiction. Making positive lifestyle changes
while recovering can further support your
recovery. Check our resources page for
additional assistance.
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Aftercare and
Long-Term Health
After completing rehab, the recovering alcoholic
needs ongoing support. Many treatment programs
offer group meetings that continue to provide
mutual support. There are many aftercare programs
available, both with an in-person group sessions
and virtual support meetings.
An important component of many aftercare plans,
includes regular meeting attendance with groups
such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to further
support recovery. AA has a long-standing network
of group meetings in almost every community in
the U.S. and around the world.
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Talk to Us
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• The Recovery HQ Team is here to help!
• If you or a loved one has a problem with drug
  addiction, alcohol abuse, substance abuse,
  disorder or other behavior addiction, the
  Recovery HQ Team is here to help. We can answer
  questions you have and share more information
  about treatment options. Give us a call today at
  800-533-6166.