Alcohol Addiction

What is Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction, alcoholism, and alcohol dependency are used interchangeably when discussing alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Alcoholism or alcohol addiction is a chronic disease; those who suffer from the illness cannot control how much alcohol they consume. This is because they experience physical alcohol dependency, and physical withdrawal symptoms will occur when this consumption is interrupted.

Whilst alcohol addiction is a debilitating illness, many who depend on alcohol will be able to function in everyday life.

Most people who suffer from alcohol dependency will continue their everyday life until they hit rock bottom. This is because alcohol dependency is a progressive illness.

If you cannot relax without needing to drink, you could be experiencing the early stages of alcohol dependency. If you cannot relax in front of the TV on a Saturday night without a drop of alcohol, you are likely experiencing a psychological dependency on alcohol.

A psychological alcohol dependency always precedes a physical alcohol dependency, so this should undoubtedly be a cause for concern.

You will know when a physical dependency develops because you will experience physical withdrawal symptoms when your blood alcohol level falls. These symptoms include nausea, sweating and experiencing tremors.

What are the Signs of an Alcohol Addiction/Alcohol Dependency?

Suppose you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one who may be experiencing alcohol dependency. In that case, you will benefit from knowing the various signs and symptoms of alcoholism that could justify these concerns.

Here are the classic signs of alcohol dependency:

• You consistently worry about where your next drink is coming from. You actively arrange your life around your desire to drink alcohol.
• You experience potent cravings to drink alcohol. Once you begin to drink alcohol, you find it almost impossible to stop.
• You need to drink alcohol as soon as you wake up. You regularly act on these feelings so that you end up drinking in the morning, even before you eat any food.
• You experience various physical withdrawal symptoms when you don’t drink alcohol. These symptoms stop when you drink your first alcoholic drink

If you recognise the above symptoms, contact Ocean Recovery Centre today to discuss alcohol addiction treatment options, such as alcohol rehab on 0800 880 7596.

How Does Alcohol Dependency Affect My Health?

Alcohol dependency is known to damage your health in many different ways. As alcohol is a toxin, it affects all tissues in your body.

Alcohol dependency causes high blood pressure and liver failure and vastly increases the risk of strokes and alcohol-related heart disease.[7] Alcohol dependency damages your mental health too. If you suffer from alcohol addiction, you are much more likely to suffer mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

These ailments arise because alcohol affects neurotransmitters in the brain, which are essential for sound mental health.

Alcohol Addiction Treatments We Offer

A list of treatment models we employ during a typical residential alcohol rehab programme include:

• Standard detoxification
• Rapid detoxification
• Group Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Stress Management
• Relaxation Therapy
• Meditation
• Auricular acupuncture

What are Alcohol Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms?

If you are physically dependent on alcohol, you will experience a range of discomfort and even deadly alcohol withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly stop drinking alcohol. These symptoms will happen within two-to-three hours after the last drink was consumed.

Below, we list some of the more common symptoms of alcohol addiction withdrawal you will likely experience if you suffer from alcohol dependency:

• Tremors – particularly in the hands
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Hallucinations
• Seizure/fits
• Depression and anxiety
• Insomnia

If you experience the above symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol for any length of time, it’s likely to engage in ‘relief drinking’. This is when you drink merely to stop yourself from experiencing the above withdrawal symptoms.

Enhanced Aftercare

Our New Enhanced Aftercare interventions are designed to help you and your loved ones begin a new journey to long-term recovery, improving your health, wellbeing, and relationships.

Our range of enhanced 1-1 sessions are designed to ensure that you can make your recovery dreams a reality and to keep you on the right path to your new future. Find out more about our enhanced aftercare service.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment Common Misconceptions

If you or a loved one are suffering from a drinking problem, then looking at getting help through the use of alcohol addiction treatment programmes can be tough to accept. We are regularly asked many different questions about this, so we’ve answered some of the most common ones below, as we believe they will help you.

I try to limit my alcohol intake to 14 units every week. I often feel drowsy the next morning and very thirsty. I understand that my alcohol intake is within NHS guidelines. How do I know if I am damaging my health?

NHS guidelines are just that, guidelines. If you are drinking every week then you are classed as a frequent or regular drinker. The health risks involved with increased consumption of alcohol on a regular basis are very well documented.

I only drink once a week and consume less than the 14 units per week as recommended by the NHS. Does this mean that my health is still at risk?

What is binge drinking? It’s when you drink a lot of alcohol over a short space of time – normally just a few hours. Binge drinkers are often more prone to find themselves the subject of accidents, often through behaviour that they would, when sober, consider reckless. Information on the NHS website suggests that you should spread your alcohol use over several days. It is also advisable to have some days when you do not drink any alcohol at all to allow your body to recover.

My wife and I are trying to start a family. Our friends tell us that it is still safe for her to drink alcohol if it is only a small amount. Is this true?

It is recommended by the NHS that women should not drink any alcohol at all while trying to conceive. It is also harmful to the baby for pregnant women to consume any alcohol during pregnancy especially in the early months. Men should also limit their alcohol consumption during this time.

I have drunk alcohol for many years and believe that I am still healthy. However, my family say I should reduce my alcohol intake. Are they right to worry?

Ongoing and persistent consumption of alcohol puts you at a very real and heightened risk of vulnerability to serious health conditions. You should speak to your GP about a health review. Conditions such as heart disease, liver disease, and liver cancer can remain undetected and can be caused by persistent alcohol misuse.

I know I drink more than the recommended guidelines and I drink every day. My family keep complaining about my behaviour but I do not understand why they do this. Can you help?

Dependent drinking is when someone is no longer in control of their alcohol drinking. Dependent drinkers are often the last people to acknowledge or recognise their problems. Perhaps a candid discussion with a third party might help you to decide whether you wish to continue with your current lifestyle or not.

My alcohol consumption is spiralling out of control and I find it hard to limit myself to just two or three drinks a week. I am considering stopping completely is this safe?

If you are dependent upon alcohol and you decide to stop altogether or significantly cut back, you are likely to experience significant physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Hand tremors, depression, sweating, hallucinations, and anxiety are common. In more serious cases, sudden alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures. We would suggest that you speak to your GP before taking any course of action.

I think my friend might be misusing alcohol. We always have a good time together when we go out for a drink at the weekend but she also drinks by herself through the week. How can I tell if she has a problem?

If you think your friend has a problem then it is likely she is regularly drinking more than the recommended daily limit. You might notice that, often, she can’t remember what happened when she has been drinking because of the amount she is drinking. Other early warning signs include her failure to do what is expected of her because of her excessive drinking. You might notice that she is missing appointments or turning up late for work because she has a hangover.

My partner has struggled with alcohol misuse for many years and as I have always made excuses for him he now feels that his behaviour is acceptable. I do not feel able to continue in our relationship but I don’t want to desert him either. What can I do to help him?

It appears that you have developed coping strategies over a long period of time in order to deal with your partner’s problem. At this stage, it seems that you are still taking ownership of the problem.

One solution is to adopt an approach of tough love and give him an ultimatum. If he is not prepared to address his problem, then you cannot remain in a relationship with him. Only if he takes ownership of the problem will he feel motivated to seek help. He will still need your support in the future if you are willing to support him whilst he engages with appropriate services to help him safely reduce his alcohol intake.