Alcohol Use Disorder: What It Is And Where To Turn For Help

Alcohol use disorder is a serious mental health disorder that affects approximately 10.6% of people ages 12 and older in the United States. Often leading to significant complications in the lives of those who experience it, alcohol dependence can be challenging to manage. It can impact an individual’s relationships, emotional and physical health, and career. Despite these negative effects, treatment can help those who are living with alcohol use disorder manage their symptoms and work through underlying concerns. Below, we’re going to cover alcohol use disorder, its symptoms, common risk factors, treatment options, and where to turn for help.

What is alcohol use disorder?

Symptoms of alcohol use disorder

Mental health professionals often utilize standardized criteria to determine whether someone has a substance use disorder. Common symptoms of alcohol use disorder include:

• Unhealthy attitudes toward alcohol
• Getting sick after drinking to excess
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Increased tolerance
• Conflicts in lifestyle, relationships, education, healthcare, etc.
• Inability to control consumption frequency or amount
• Hiding traces and evidence of alcohol use
• Feeling guilty or ashamed after drinking
• Family history of alcohol use disorder

Risk factors for alcohol use disorder

Alcohol use disorder and other types of substance abuse often develops alongside other mental health conditions. Alcohol addiction has been linked to depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and a range of other mental health comorbidities. Genetics and family history are also thought to influence an individual’s likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder. 

One of the most important factors, though, is the frequency with which an individual consumes alcohol. Heavy drinking can lead to an increased risk of developing the condition. Additionally, drinking at a young age can increase the odds of alcohol use disorder(formerly referred to as alcohol abuse). There is also a link between alcohol use disorder and trauma, as many people use alcohol to alleviate symptoms of a trauma response. Often, though, drinking can exacerbate symptoms in the long term. 

The effects of alcohol use disorder

When someone experiences alcohol use disorder, they may arrange their life around the consumption of alcohol. They might pay less attention to important life goals, relationships, and their physical health. Alcohol use disorder can also lead to the use of other substances, such as illegal drugs.  

Alcohol can cause short-term memory loss, long-term memory recall problems, and other forms of cognitive impairment. Excessive drinking of alcohol has also been linked to heart disease, cancer, and liver failure according to Yale Medicine, potentially making it even more important to seek alcohol treatment.

Diagnosing alcohol use disorder

Typically, a mental health or medical professional will be responsible for providing an alcohol use disorder diagnosis. They’ll usually do this based on an examination of the person’s physical and mental health symptoms, including:

• Questions about drinking habits – Your healthcare provider may ask you a variety of questions to learn more about your drinking habits.
• Physical examinations – You may have your body checked for signs of physical illness, injury, or potential concern.
• Lab tests and imaging – If your doctor becomes concerned about something during your physical exam, they may order lab work and imaging services.

Some doctors might also recommend a psychological evaluation from a mental health professional. This may consist of more in-depth questions about your thoughts, emotions, and relationship with alcohol. 

Alcohol counseling near me: Treatment options for alcohol use disorder

There are several treatments for people with an addiction to alcohol, and counselors can customize their approach to suit each individual’s needs. Addiction treatment could be as simple as a brief intervention with friends and family, or it could consist of group counseling, outpatient programs, and residential inpatient treatment for alcohol rehab. There may be many options as far as treatment centers and inpatient rehab, so you may want to consider the ones that are most likely to be covered by your insurance. The objective with any treatment program is to improve the quality of your life and help you work through concerns related to alcohol.

Those objectives are generally achieved with one or more of the following methods:

• Detox and withdrawal
• Skill building
• Goal setting
• Guided socialization
• Behavioral development
• Diet and exercise changes
• Stress management
• Spiritual or holistic practices
• Education
• Treatment planning
• Psychotherapeutics
• Pharmaceuticals

For lasting results, therapists may also help patients create positive support systems and healthier coping strategies. Alcohol counselors might even use tailored methodologies to help precipitate lifestyle changes and decrease the risk of relapse.

How alcohol counseling can help

If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, counseling can provide you with the tools and support necessary to address your symptoms. The following are the benefits of alcohol counseling:

It can provide a safe environment for self-expression

In therapy, you can open up and express painful thoughts or emotions, especially as they pertain to your relationship with alcohol.

You can learn more about alcohol addiction

One of the first steps in recovery is acknowledgment. So, counselors often educate participants on the risk factors and symptoms of alcohol use disorder.

You can find support groups with peers who have similar backgrounds 

Some therapeutic approaches have a social component, which could be a support group or group therapy. These environments are often marked by active listening, candidness, and communication. Group settings can help you feel less alone as you work through your feelings. You can find others to confide in who have gone through similar experiences.

A mental health professional will typically focus on the whole person, not just the addiction

Excessive drinking, especially when it’s prolonged, can have a negative impact on many areas of a person’s life. An alcohol or substance use counselor can help you address these varied complications. 

Alcohol counselors can teach you better coping strategies for stress 

Often, alcohol dependence can be brought on, or exacerbated, by stress. A counselor can show you healthier ways to cope with stress. You may refer to the huge amount of resources online by searching for "Where to find alcohol counseling near me?" for your alcohol dependence.

Family and friends can learn how to help manage symptoms and cravings

Your loved ones can be an important source of support when it comes to helping you stay on track. In certain counseling formats, your family and friends can learn useful techniques for assisting you on your mental health journey. 

Your treatment program can be customized to your needs

Many forms of therapy (e.g., online therapy) provide you with flexible options that make treatment more personal. This way you can receive mental health care that addresses your specific needs and preferences. 

People can have widely varying reasons for pursuing alcohol counseling, so treatment plans will depend on several factors. Some may find relief and experience healing after only a few meetings, while others may need more time or support for the best results.

It’s also important to note that alcohol counseling doesn’t have to be for those who are living with alcohol use disorder. If you feel that your relationship with alcohol could be healthier, or you want to talk to a mental health professional about your likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder, consider reaching out to a therapist in person or online.

Connecting with a counselor online

Research shows that online therapy can help improve symptoms of those who are living with alcohol use disorder or similar concerns. In a study of over 200 adults who had a problematic relationship with alcohol, researchers found that online cognitive behavioral therapy could effectively decrease alcohol use and increase quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment modality that helps individuals identify and replace negative thought patterns that may be underlying unwanted behavior, such as those related to alcohol overuse. Another research study conducted a literature review and found that Internet interventions are effective in reducing adult alcohol consumption.

If you’d like to work through complex emotions related to alcohol use, an online therapy platform like BetterHelp is there for you. BetterHelp has thousands of licensed therapists—with wide-ranging areas of expertise—so you have a good chance of matching with someone who can address your concerns, whether they’re related to alcohol or another mental health challenge. With online therapy, you can participate in therapy remotely, through video calls, voice calls, or in-app messaging. A licensed therapist can help you recognize the signs of alcohol use disorder and manage the symptoms while learning how to cope with stress and other feelings.