Alcohol Use Disorder: What It Is, Risks & Treatment

They can offer advice on how to approach your treatment and assist you with the process of detoxing, withdrawing, and recovering from alcohol use disorder. Everyone’s experience with alcohol is different, but effective treatments are available, whether your condition is mild, moderate, or severe. A doctor may also prescribe medications to help you manage withdrawal symptoms and support you in your effort to stop drinking.

Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. The primary difference between alcohol abuse vs. alcoholism is that alcoholism refers to a legitimate medical condition, while alcohol abuse does not. Someone who how to treat alcoholism is said to have alcoholism will meet the diagnostic criteria for an alcohol use disorder, but it is possible to abuse alcohol without having an alcohol use disorder. The FDA lists the following possible side effects for medicines to treat alcohol dependence and alcohol use disorder.

What Is Alcoholism?

It is even possible that the baby throughout pregnancy will develop heart defects such as ventricular septal defect or atrial septal defect. Experts suggest that pregnant women take no more than one unit of alcohol per day. However, other organizations advise complete abstinence from alcohol while pregnant. In the DSM-IV, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence were defined as distinct disorders from 1994 to 2013.

• Over time, the serious side effects of consistent alcohol abuse can worsen and produce damaging complications.
• Long-term, excessive alcohol use has been linked to a higher risk of many cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, esophagus, colon and breast cancers.
• Benzodiazepines can help alleviate withdrawal symptoms while naltrexone may help you manage alcohol cravings.
• Children of parents who have trouble with alcohol have a fourfold increased risk of the disorder.

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Understanding Alcohol

Following diagnosis, a healthcare professional will work with a person to determine the best course of treatment. Alcohol misuse can lead to various illnesses such as heart disease. People experiencing alcohol misuse disorder should seek medical attention.

Delirium tremens is a symptom of severe alcohol withdrawal that can be potentially fatal. Contact emergency services immediately if you experience symptoms such as fever, involuntary muscle contractions, seizures, delusions, hallucinations, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ or rapid mood swings as you withdraw from alcohol. Alcohol abuse refers to continuing to use alcohol, often excessively, even though it creates problems in a person’s life, including health, relationship, and work-related consequences.