Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcoholism is an older term. The current medical definition is alcohol use disorder or “AUD” for short. You may be from a culture or religion where you celebrate or cook with certain spirits. If alcohol is causing you to have health issues or psychological problems, then it may be AUD. Negative social effects and legal issues can happen as well, such as being charged with a DUI. If you are experiencing any negative effects of alcohol, get evaluated by a professional.

The following are some common signs of AUD:

• Feeling concerned about your alcohol use
• Feeling guilty about drinking
• Getting annoyed when people ask you about your alcohol use
• Having or needing an “eye opener” (a drink in the morning to calm your nerves)

This condition is extremely common. In the U.S., AUD is the third leading cause of preventable death. In 2018, at least 1 in 4 American adults participated in binge drinking within the past month. Fortunately, there are many effective treatment options. Click here for more information, support, and services on alcohol addiction: https://www.recovery.org/

AUD negatively impacts many areas of life. This condition makes you think, feel, and behave differently. Due to changes in the brain, these problems last long after intoxication. Inability to control how much you drink or failure to fulfill responsibilities are signs of AUD. Depending on the condition severity, you may have some or all of these symptoms. Symptoms of AUD can include:

• Tolerance (having to drink more to feel the same effect)
• Withdrawal (when you start to feel bad if you stop)
• Cravings (a strong desire for something)

Moderate drinking is 1 drink a day for women and 2 for men. Anything over puts you at higher risk for AUD. If you are drinking less and you have other symptoms (like tolerance), it could be AUD. The less alcohol you consume, the lower your risk for various illnesses. You should not drink any alcohol if you get behind the wheel or have some medical conditions.

Any excessive drinking can indicate a disorder. However, most people who do so are not experiencing AUD. According to the CDC, excessive drinking means binge drinking or heavy drinking. Drinking while pregnant or under age 21 is defined as excessive drinking too. For women, binge drinking is having 4 or more drinks at one time. For men, it is 5 plus. Heavy drinking is 8 or more drinks per week for women and 15 for men. Binge drinking is the most common type of excessive drinking. 3Alone, these patterns of alcohol use are not usually indicative of a disorder. When the intake causes distress or leads to consequences, it can become AUD over time.

If you are or might be pregnant, you should not drink any alcohol.No amount or type of alcohol is safe at any time in pregnancy. Excessive alcohol use can have immediate consequences on your baby, including miscarriage or stillbirth. Other possible harmful health conditions are fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).Alcohol use in pregnancy can result in serious medical issues at birth or later on.

If you are pregnant and have difficulty quitting, speak to a healthcare professional. Many pregnant women struggle with substance use. There are a variety of evidence-based treatments available for women at any stage of pregnancy.

AA is a large, reputable organization that has been around for years. All over the nation, thousands of members attend these group meetings every day. Oftentimes, meetings take place day or night. The meetings are free to attend and open to people in any stage of recovery, too. AA has a spiritual component, which some people find crucial on their journey to sobriety. If you prefer individual therapy or something that does not have a spiritual component, there are several evidence-based options for you as well. You may choose to do cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness based relapse prevention (MBRP) instead.

Generally, a big benefit of any type of group therapy is catharsis, or releasing suppressed emotions. By being in a community, individuals develop a sense of belonging as they hear others share similar experiences. In any recovery-oriented group therapy, members develop hope as they see others achieve sobriety. There is also often the opportunity to do acts of service, such as becoming a sponsor in AA. While some come and go (and are welcome to return anytime) in AA, lots of people attend meetings indefinitely. For these individuals, meetings are key to a sober life. Click here to learn more about AA: https://www.aa.org/

Yes, therapy can be an important part of recovery. As a result of alcohol-related brain changes, certain behaviors are difficult to change. Therapy helps you find new ways to cope. Due to genetics, some may be more prone to relapse. 6 These folks may require long-term therapy.

Evidence shows that therapy is particularly effective for reducing relapse in the long-term. One strong study found that mindfulness based relapse prevention (MBRP) resulted in the best outcomes over time. MBRP is a therapy that involves practicing mindfulness when you have relapse triggers.

The practice is about meditation, attitude, and practice. You can learn many different techniques and skills. A lot of research has been done on mindfulness in addiction, it is very popular now. This type of therapy focuses on recognizing the role of your thoughts during the relapse process. 7Click here for information on alcohol use and behavioral health: https://www.samhsa.gov/