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Alcohol Addiction Recovery
Because alcohol is so prevalent in society, alcoholism is often misunderstood and overlooked. At our alcohol addiction treatment center, our team can help you recognize signs that you maybe struggling and help you recover in a safe, supportive environment.
Alcohol
Alcohol is deeply ingrained in many aspects of popular American culture, and many of us like a drink from time to time. A glass of wine with dinner, a few beers watching the game, and a couple of cocktails with friends on a Saturday night are usually relatively harmless ways to unwind and enjoy yourself. But alcohol addiction is a serious and sometimes life-threatening illness that affects an estimated 27.9 million Americans every year. If you’re worried that you are drinking too much, or you’re looking for treatment for yourself or someone you love, here is what you need to know about alcohol addiction.
| Stage | Description | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Alcohol Abuse | Drinking more alcohol than recommended or in ways that increase risk to health and wellbeing. | Exceeding guidelines (more than 2 drinks a day for men or 1 for women); regularly drinking until drunk; binge drinking; mixing alcohol with drugs. |
| 2. Alcohol Dependence | The brain and body adapt to regular heavy drinking, causing a need for alcohol to feel “normal” and avoid withdrawal. | Changes in GABA and dopamine levels; withdrawal symptoms when cutting down; high risk of relapse as alcohol relieves discomfort. |
| 3. Alcohol Addiction | A compulsive need to drink despite severe health, relationship, and lifestyle consequences. | Loss of control; continued drinking despite harm; alcohol becomes the central focus of life. |
What is alcohol addiction?
The scientific definition of alcohol addiction is compulsive alcohol abuse, despite negative consequences. Alcohol addiction is also known as “alcoholism” and “alcohol use disorder”, but in simple terms, they all mean that you can’t stop drinking even though your health, relationships, work, school, or happiness are being harmed.
What are the symptoms of alcoholism?
The symptoms of alcohol addiction can be different for everyone, and some people may not think there is a problem until someone they care about voices their concerns. If you are worried about a loved one or yourself, here are some common alcohol addiction signs:
Increased quantity or frequency of use
Dependence on alcohol to function
High tolerance or lack of hangover
Drinking at inappropriate times
Hiding or lying about alcohol usage
Prioritizing situations with alcohol
Changes in work performance
Difficulty maintaining relationships
Increased lethargy & depression
Other emotional issues
What are the stages of alcohol addiction?
Alcohol addiction is an illness that develops over three main stages, where you gradually lose control over your drinking. While everybody we meet at Armada Recovery has a unique personal story, the three stages look like this:
Stage 1
Alcohol abuse
Alcohol abuse really just means you are drinking more alcohol than you should. There are different definitions of this, as some people may think any amount of alcohol is too much, while others are able to drink responsibly and never develop any real health or personal issues. Government guidance on drinking has long recommended no more than two alcoholic drinks a day for men, and one for women, and exceeding this could be classed as alcohol abuse. Similarly, drinking regularly until drunk, mixing alcohol with drugs, or “binge drinking” on a regular basis are all generally regarded as alcohol abuse.
Stage 2
Alcohol dependence
Alcohol dependence is the physical and chemical part of addiction, but not everyone who becomes dependent will become fully addicted to alcohol. Alcohol raises levels of GABA and dopamine in your brain, which are chemicals that help you relax and feel happy. However, if alcohol keeps triggering these raises, your brain starts to believe it can hand that job over to alcohol permanently. If you stop drinking so much or quit altogether, GABA and dopamine levels drop suddenly, and this causes alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These can be unpleasant, dangerous, and often make alcohol-dependent people relapse even if they want to stop.
Stage 3
Alcohol addiction
While alcohol dependence is a physical reliance on alcohol in order to “function normally” or just to avoid being hit with withdrawal, addiction to alcohol means you need alcohol at any cost. Even if your health is declining, loved ones are worried, or your job is in danger because of drinking, you feel like you just can’t stop.
Alcohol addiction and abuse in Ohio
503,000 people a year in Ohio live with an alcohol addiction
Alcohol causes almost one death in every 2,000 in Ohio
Men (54.8%) and those over 35 years old (83%) make up the highest proportion of alcohol-related deaths in the State
Alcohol deaths per capita in Ohio increased 56.1% between 2015 and 2019
What causes alcohol addiction?
The effect that regularly drinking a lot has on the brain is really the scientific explanation of alcohol dependence. But even if you drink excessively for years, you may not necessarily become addicted. There are usually other factors involved, some of which you may not even realize:
Personal and family history
Have you ever noticed that alcohol and drug addiction seem to affect multiple members of the same family? This is often because of a mixture of:Genetics (increased addiction risk can be passed down like height and hair colour)Growing up in a home where substance abuse is normalized.
Alcohol addiction and mental health
Some people drink a lot because they are trying to escape, mask, or self-medicate symptoms of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or just a lot of stress. This might work in the short term, but alcohol addiction inevitably makes these problems worse.
Accessibility
Alcohol is cheap, easily accessible and generally socially acceptable. This means drinking a lot often goes unnoticed by loved ones who may be more likely to worry if you were taking drugs.Social lifeIf all of your friends or work colleagues drink a lot, it can be difficult to cut down, even when you are starting to worry about addiction.
What are the side effects of alcoholism?
There are almost 6,000 deaths every year in Ohio due to alcohol, but early treatment can help prevent death and other serious health consequences:
Fatal alcohol overdose or poisoning: According to the CDC, about 178,000 Americans die due to excessive alcohol abuse annually
Increased risk of certain cancers
Bone loss
Heart disease
Liver disease
Sexual issues
Stomach ulcers
Vision concerns
Fetal birth defects
Suppressed immunity
Diabetes complications
What does treatment for alcohol addiction involve?
Recovery from alcohol addiction begins with inpatient alcohol detox. This is a much safer way to detox than quitting on your own, as a professional team like Armada’s can look after you and help you through the worst of alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol rehab is the next step, which addresses and hopefully resolves the personal and emotional aspects of addiction. Rehab is a program of different therapies, all of which approach alcohol addiction in a different way, for complete holistic recovery.
Post-rehab, you will then need extra support bridging the gap between rehab and home. This may involve partial hospitalization, ongoing outpatient care, and making lifestyle changes that are conducive to your recovery.
Get help for alcohol addiction today
If alcohol addiction is affecting you and your family, Armada Recovery can help. Contact us today for free advice and to learn more about our alcohol treatment centers and programs.
FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the first step to treating alcohol addiction? | A medically supervised alcohol detox, ensuring safety and comfort through withdrawal. |
| Can I recover from alcohol addiction on my own? | It’s possible but much riskier. Professional treatment offers higher success rates and lower chances of relapse. |
| Does alcohol addiction always mean drinking every day? | No. Addiction can also include binge drinking or the inability to control how much you drink once you start. |
| How long does alcohol rehab take? | Most programs range from 30 to 90 days, depending on the individual’s needs and recovery progress. |
| Does Armada Recovery treat co-occurring mental health issues? | Yes. Armada Recovery provides dual-diagnosis programs that address both addiction and mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. |
Sources
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics
https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/ardi/methods.html
https://www.methadone.org/drugs/ohio-drug-alcohol-statistics/
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