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Alcohol abuse affects the brain and body by impairing cognitive function, slowing reaction times, and damaging organs like the liver over time. Repeated abuse can lead to mood swings, memory issues, and increased risk of heart disease. Alcohol dependence causes more severe and lasting effects, altering brain chemistry and leading to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Dependence damages brain regions responsible for decision-making, memory, and emotional regulation, making it difficult to feel “normal” without alcohol.
What’s the Difference Between Alcoholism and Drug Addiction?
Though some people may view terms like “alcoholic” as unhelpful or negative, many still use this term to describe their experience with AUD. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), for example, uses terms related to alcoholism to describe those in what is Oxford House recovery (6). Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, involve distorted thinking and perceptions, including hallucinations and delusions. They require long-term treatment with antipsychotic medications and supportive therapies. If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health problems, request a call to speak with a knowledgeable treatment specialist. This was done because healthcare officials wanted to reduce the stigma around the condition, which can cause feelings of guilt and shame, preventing a person from seeking help.
- While there are similarities in some of the signs, there are also key differences that set them apart.
- We are an addiction treatment center that treats adults with substance use and mental health disorders.
- Understanding the differences between the two can help individuals make informed decisions about their drinking habits and seek appropriate treatment if necessary.
Addictions We Treat
However, genetics is not the only contributing factor to the risk of alcohol abuse. Blood tests are often used to evaluate your overall health, with particular attention to parts of the body most Oxford House affected by excessive alcohol use, such as the heart, liver, brain, and nervous system. The terms “alcoholic” and “alcoholism” are popular among adherents of 12-step programs like AA.
Behavioral treatments
You may have AUD if you continue to drink despite any physical, emotional, and social consequences you experience. Perhaps you even want to drink less, or stop drinking entirely, but find yourself unable to quit. Many people with AUD do recover, but setbacks are common among people in treatment. Behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking. Medications also can help deter drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk of a return to drinking (e.g., divorce, death of a family member).
People with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or personality disorders are more likely to experience AUD. When a person has both AUD and mental health disorders at once, this is called co-occurring or dual diagnosis. A person struggling with alcohol abuse would find that drinking, and even being sick from drinking, would prevent them from taking care of their home and family. Those who abuse alcohol might find themselves getting into harmful situations while, during, or after drinking, like swimming, driving, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex. They continue to drink, even if the behavior is causing trouble with friends and family. As a trusted Georgia addiction treatment center, we are dedicated to serving our clients through various alcohol and drug addiction programs.
It’s not just a disruption of daily life, but the uncontrollable inability to focus on anything else but drinking, putting the habit at the forefront of everything including family, friends, work, and overall health. Family and friends play an instrumental role in the recovery journey of individuals dealing with alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Their emotional support, encouragement, and understanding can make a significant difference in the individual’s motivation to seek treatment and stay on the path to recovery. Open and honest communication within the family can help rebuild trust and strengthen relationships that may have been strained due to alcohol-related issues. AUD is a mental health condition characterized by symptoms such as drinking too much alcohol in one sitting, drinking alcohol too frequently, or not being able to control your alcohol consumption. AUD describes a diagnosable condition that involves drinking alcohol excessively or uncontrollably to the point that it negatively affects your life or health.
Understanding Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder)
AUD refers to what is colloquially known as alcoholism, which is a term that the DSM-5 no longer uses. Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Our board-certified addiction specialists evaluate every center using 5 clinical criteria most sites ignore. When you stop drinking, the urge to reach for a drink can feel both overwhelming… With us, treatment is guided by what you need, with space to rebuild habits and routines that support health.
Health professionals sometimes prescribe medications to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. Other medications can help you quit drinking by suppressing alcohol cravings or making you feel sick when alcohol enters your body. Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area.