Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a condition that affects millions of Americans every year. In fact, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that 29.5 million people (about the population of Texas) in the United States aged 12 and older had AUD in 2021. Among those 29.5 million, 894,000 were adolescents aged 12 to 17. Left unchecked, even a mild case of AUD can lead to serious health problems, interpersonal conflict, and altered behavior that can affect an individual’s work and social life. Fortunately, those with AUD who recognize they have a problem and find treatment can reduce their risk of short-term and long-term consequences.
What is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?
AUD is defined by how it affects your life. Any form of drinking that inhibits your ability to live your life the way you’d like could be considered alcohol abuse. That involves how you work, interact with others, and even your health. Not all drinking leads to AUD. What’s considered “sensible drinking” or drinking in moderation depends on several factors. For women, one drink a day or seven in a week is considered sensible and for men, that’s two drinks a day and no more than three or four in one sitting. Additionally, what constitutes alcohol abuse depends on the person. You could be drinking a low to moderate amount of alcohol per week, however, if your alcohol use has negative consequences in your personal life, you also may have a problem.
What are the Health Risks of AUD?
Without intervention, AUD can lead to real consequences. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to both short-term and long-term health risks. Some include:
-Mental health issues (depression, anxiety, etc.)
-Missed work or poor work performance
-Blackouts (no recollection of recent events or memories) or Brownouts (sluggish memory, unable to recall events exactly as they happened)
-Social isolation or damaged relationships
-Dementia
-Problems with balance, equilibrium, and fine motor skills
-Legal consequences (DUI or public intoxication charges, domestic or interpersonal violence issues)
-Heart failure
-Liver cirrhosis
-Varices in the stomach and esophagus (resulting in excessive bleeding or vomiting that requires surgical intervention)
-Risky sexual behaviors
-Abdominal testicular atrophy
-Loss of libido
-Alcohol poisoning
-High blood pressure
-Cancer
-Weakened immune system
-Dangerous drug interaction
With so many dangers associated with chronic alcohol abuse, finding treatment is crucial to prevent further damage to your health and, in some cases, loss of life.
How is Alcohol Abuse treated?
Treatment for AUD begins by acknowledging there’s a problem with alcohol. Once someone is willing to get help, there are a variety of treatment modalities to use, including medication, therapy, rehabilitation programs, and substance abuse treatment facilities. There are support options for loved ones with AUD so they may also learn more about alcohol addiction and find ways to support those with AUD.
Those with AUD often encounter alcohol withdrawal once they’ve stopped drinking. Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, meaning it inhibits brain function, slowing it down and changing the way the brain communicates with the rest of the body. Over time, the body will begin to adjust to the excess intake of alcohol, working harder to keep your brain active and engaged; however, once the alcohol is removed from your system, the brain remains in its overactive state, causing withdrawal. To help with alcohol withdrawal, your doctor could prescribe certain medications or inpatient treatment.
There are other forms of medication used to help treat those with AUD. They include drugs like Naltrexone and Campral, which helps to decrease cravings. Antabuse is another common medication used to help those with AUD. It works by generating a negative physical reaction anytime the body encounters alcohol. This works to discourage people from drinking alcohol, making them nauseous and ill anytime alcohol enters the system.
Finding the right treatment option depends on the severity of your AUD. Those with mild forms of AUD may not require the same treatment as someone with a severe case. Consulting with your primary care doctor is an excellent way to determine what type of treatment would work best for you.
