The CDC characterizes alcohol abuse as any form of alcohol consumption that leads to damaged health and relationships, as well as impacting your ability to work. While all alcohol addictions vary slightly, they are all grounded in alcohol abuse.
Addiction is defined as a chronic and relapsing disease. Addiction is often used interchangeably with severe substance use disorder.
According to 2022 NSDUH data, 29.5 million people in the United States had alcohol use disorder in the past year.
Heavy drinking and binge drinking each qualify as alcohol abuse.
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Our rehab centers help men and women who are struggling with addictions, substance abuse and mental health disorders. We also provide treatment exclusively to International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) members at our Maryland facility, the IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery.
Experts almost universally agree with this concept of addiction as a disease, and while addiction has no cure, it can be treated, and effectively treated.
If untreated, ethanol alcohol addiction can be physically and emotionally damaging. Long-term alcohol abuse can also bring about permanent changes to brain structure and functioning.
Most estimates suggest up to 50% of your risk profile for any addiction is genetic. Beyond this, a variety of environmental and social factors also play a role in whether or not you become addicted to a substance like alcohol.
As addiction starts to build, you’ll find you require more alcohol to achieve the same effects as tolerance grows. By this point, you’ll also be liable to experience intense withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking alcohol.
Alcohol Addiction Symptoms
When drinking alcohol becomes habitual, you’ll find you don’t feel normal when you have no alcohol in your system. This is when addiction becomes psychological. You feel that you require alcohol even if you are not physically dependent.
Physical addiction sets in once you are unable to quit drinking without experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, such as these signs of alcohol addiction:
Both physical and psychological alcohol addiction is rooted in the way alcohol impacts the brain. When you consume alcohol, this releases endorphins in the areas of the brain responsible for reward processing.
Alcohol, then, hits home at the chemical level in several areas of the brain. At a psychological level, alcohol abuse can make you feel unable to properly function in the absence of alcohol. This is the reason why alcoholic relapse is so common.
Common Alcohol Abuse Symptoms
The following are considered the primary symptoms of alcohol addiction:
Being dishonest and secretive about your drinking
Inability to refuse alcohol
Loss of interest in hobbies and favored activities
Irritability and anger
Impaired physical appearance
Reduced levels of personal hygiene
Looking tired or sick
Being frequently intoxicated
Growing tolerance for alcohol
Patterns of binge drinking
Withdrawal symptoms in the absence of alcohol
Co-occurring mental health problems
What To Do if You Have an Alcohol Addiction
If your alcohol consumption is starting to take over your life and to harm your physical wellbeing, it might be time to consider alcohol addiction therapy. Addiction is not something to ignore. Many people who abuse alcohol think of themselves as a high-functioning alcoholic, but any form of alcohol abuse is dangerous. If you think that you or a loved one has is a problem drinker, it is vital to seek out help sooner rather than later. Get Help at Renaissance Recovery If you need help today, contact Renaissance Recovery, we area drug and alcohol treatment center with locations in California and Florida. At Renaissance we have expert clinicians and strong alumni programs so that clients can get develop the knowledge and support they need to commit to long-term recovery.
Get Help at Renaissance Recovery
If you need help today, contact Renaissance Recovery, we area drug and alcohol treatment center with locations in California and Florida. At Renaissance we have expert clinicians and strong alumni programs so that clients can get develop the knowledge and support they need to commit to long-term recovery.
Related Blogs
Check out our addiction recovery blog to learn more about substance use disorders and how to get effective treatment.
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Extremely happy with my time at Renaissance Recovery. I was there for 9 months, and it genuinely changed my life. From the rigorous group settings with an array of facilitators, amazing therapy sessions with Erika, and support of my case manager Ricky, genuinely thank you so much. The staff is very kind. I would say I wish the facility had comfier options for sitting in groups all day, especially for larger folks. But all in all very happy with my time here, well worth it.
Ash F
3 months ago
The best gift I have ever given myself was choosing to complete long-term treatment at Renaissance Recovery. Clients are exposed to high quality, clinical treatment, balanced with spiritual programming in alignment with the 12 steps. The emphasis on the recovery community is incredibly strong, and the people I surrounded myself with taught me to find joy in my sobriety. Sober Living accommodations were well above average and safe. My life today is unrecognizable from when I first came through their doors, and I reflect on my experience at Renaissance often. Forever grateful for the opportunity they afforded me!
samantha safier
2 months ago
I would absolutely refer anyone to this facility. The staff truly care about helping each individual client. They work with you to address any need you may have. The sober living homes are also very nice. The community events make it easy to have fun and make lots of friends.
zachcolbert
7 July 2024
Rennaisance provided me every tool I needed to get sober and stay sober. Great facilitators, case managers and therapists, great sober living facilities and house managers to take you to any appointments, even to work if you get a job. Overall they created a great environment to begin the journey to long term sobriety
Gino Buffardi
3 months ago
Love this place!!!! They accommodate most of your needs to become a successful member of society. This place saved my life. And my family’s life. Best staff, best case managers, and therapists. And they have dual diagnosis as well, so that was very helpful.
gina Calderone
5 days ago
Ricky was my case manager and was professional. My therapist Crista was great as well. The front desk was phenomenal
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