Alcohol use disorder: signs, symptoms, and effective treatment options
An alcohol use disorder, otherwise known as an alcohol addiction, is a serious condition in which an individual becomes addicted to alcohol and continues to consume it regularly and/or in large quantities despite the negative impacts that arise as a result of this.
Though there have been strong links drawn between individuals and generational alcohol addiction (1), addiction is still a disorder that can impact any individual, no matter how they have been brought up or their familial lineage.
This article aims to explore alcohol use disorder as a mental health condition, how it may be identified, how it affects individuals, and the different private addiction rehab treatment options that are available for those who may be struggling.
When should an individual seek help for their alcohol consumption habits?
Alcohol is a dangerous substance, and not many individuals may consider it to be an addictive drug. However, it is one of the most dangerous substances available in the world, mainly due to its widespread use and prevalence in most countries.
Determining whether or not someone should seek support for alcohol addiction, however, can be more challenging than other substance addictions.
An individual should seek support when they are consuming large quantities of alcohol (keeping track of units consumed per day/week, for example), and when they are continuing to do this despite the negative effects and impacts that arise as a result of this.
Common signs of alcohol use disorder
Signs of an alcohol use disorder are the factors that others around the individual may pick up on and begin to suspect.
This includes behaviours and changes to the individual’s appearance but are easily confused with the symptoms that an individual may be experiencing as a result of alcohol use disorder.
The following two subheadings outline some of the factors to look out for when attempting to determine whether or not a friend or a loved one may be struggling with an alcohol use disorder but should always be approached with care and caution in order to avoid causing difficulties in the relationship as well as the worsening of the individual’s condition.
1. Becoming withdrawn
Often, when an individual begins to struggle with an alcohol use disorder, they may begin to become more concealing and secretive of their behaviours – especially those that are related to their addiction and the effects of this.
For example, an individual struggling with an alcohol addiction may not want others to witness their consumption of alcohol and so retire to a private location in which they may engage in these behaviours.
This can make it hard to ascertain what a loved on or friend may be experiencing but in on itself can be a sign that someone is struggling.
In addition, individuals struggling with an alcohol use disorder may no longer commit time to activities and hobbies that they may have previously enjoyed as a result of their increasing difficulties with alcohol.
2. Denial of the individual’s situation
Another common sign of an alcohol use disorder in others is a tendency to deny or discredit any suggestion of an addiction.
In most cases, this is because the individual is in denial of their situation and does not want to face the reality of struggling with an overcoming an addiction but can be due to many different reasons.
This is a sign that can be very hard to analyse as most people will often deny dependency on or addiction to a substance but ascertaining whether this is genuine or not can cause issues.
In most forms of treatment, admitting that one is struggling with an addiction is often the first step (2), meaning that this is something that all individuals, whether directly struggling or not, should be aware of.
Common symptoms of alcohol use disorder
Symptoms of an alcohol use disorder are sometimes more easily discernible in others, though this is not always the case. Symptoms describe how an individual is affected as a result of their addiction and can include a range of different effects depending on the individual’s unique experience with addiction.
Though alcohol itself has many direct impacts to an individual’s health and behaviours, there are many more dangers that are associated with heavy alcohol consumption and these should always be paid attention to and treated accordingly.
1. Decreased coordination and/or memory
As a direct impact, alcohol is known to have serious impacts to an individual’s cognitive abilities and bodily processes.
Alcohol has been shown to impact both long-term memory and short-term memory, especially dependent on the quantities in which it is consumed, as well as the age of the individual (3).
In terms of coordination, those who consume alcohol in large quantities over a short period of time can often attest to the dangers it causes in bodily control – something that is only accelerated and worsened by long-term usage.
2. Withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is not consumed
As a physically addictive substance, alcohol can cause the worst of its effects when an individual attempts to withdraw from the substance.
This is because of the way that alcohol has become integrated into the individual’s bodily processes and everyday functioning. Without proper (professional) support and step-by-step withdrawal processes, a withdrawal can be life-threatening.
This is why it is always essential that individuals seek suitable and professional medical support during an alcohol withdrawal and do not attempt to withdraw alone or without suitable support.
Treatment options available for alcohol use disorder
There are countless different sources and styles of treatment and rehabilitation for individuals struggling with an alcohol use disorder, so finding the best one for you or someone you know is of utmost importance.
The remaining three subheadings outline some key features of different treatment programmes, as well as suggesting best next steps for those specifically struggling with an alcohol use disorder.
The three key stages of rehabilitation
With any substance use disorder, individuals are always recommended to progress through the key three stages of rehabilitation. These are as follows:
- Detoxification – involves withdrawal and the physical preparation of the body for follow-one treatments
- Rehabilitation/therapy/treatment – it is never recommended to leave rehabilitation after detoxification; the remainder of rehab focusses on mental health treatment to lower the risk of future relapses and need for further care
- Aftercare – includes any treatment participated in after an individual leaves the bulk of their treatment and is essential for ongoing support and progress checks
1. Inpatient rehabilitation for alcohol use disorder
In most cases of alcohol use disorder, inpatient rehabilitation is the first step recommended. This refers to any type of therapy and treatment that occurs within a specialised rehab centre.
Often, this is considered the best form of rehabilitation as, within a centre, individuals have access to 24/7 care and support, as well as being in close proximity to any further source of support that they may require.
2. Outpatient rehabilitation for alcohol use disorder
Outpatient rehabilitation is less recommended for individuals struggling with an alcohol use disorder as it entails that the individual remains at their current residence while attending treatment.
This is not often recommended as the individual is often still surrounded by triggers and an addiction environment which may negate any progress made during part-time rehabilitation programmes.
Seeking help in Hungary
Though education in Hungary covers dangerous substances and addiction (4), there is still a high prevalence of alcohol use disorders within the country.
However, individuals may find support through centres such as the Drug Therapy Centre in Ráckeresztúr (5), as well as through local services’ drug support programmes and referral schemes.
Citations
[1] Mayfield, R.D., Harris, R.A. and Schuckit, M.A., 2008. Genetic factors influencing alcohol dependence. British journal of pharmacology, 154(2), pp.275-287.
[2] Pickard, H., 2016. Denial in addiction. Mind & Language, 31(3), pp.277-299.
[3] Molnár, M., Boha, R., Czigler, B. and Gaál, Z.A., 2011. The acute effect of alcohol on various memory processes. Journal of Psychophysiology.
[4] Arva, D., Vokó, Z., Sápi, M., Cselkó, Z. and Rákosy, Z., 2023. Addiction prevention & mental health support in Hungarian elementary schools: a mixed-methods study. European Journal of Public Health, 33(Supplement_2), pp.ckad160-1524.
[5] Drug Therapy Centre, Ráckeresztúr, Hungary; https://drogterapia.hu/?utm_source=rehabpath&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=luxuryrehab