Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol is a familiar and widely used substance in the U.S., so it can be surprising to learn just how dangerous it can be. Alcohol addiction has become one of the most widespread forms of this disease in America, which is why it is important to know how to recognize when your alcohol use may be problematic.
Spokane Heights Detox is here to help you understand the signs of alcohol addiction and provide the support you need to make changes and reclaim your life. We are committed to helping individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder find hope, relief, and a path forward.
What Is Alcohol?
Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that can produce euphoric effects and make people feel more social, bold, and energetic. Of course, it can also have negative side effects, including a high risk for abuse and addiction.
Many cultures have used alcohol for social, religious, and various other reasons for centuries. In the U.S., many people use alcohol as a way to celebrate, relax, and have fun. Unfortunately, this use all too often goes to the point of excess, which can have serious repercussions for both the drinker and the people around them.
Over time, this indulgent use can lead to dependence, in which the body needs alcohol to continue to function normally. Once someone has become dependent on alcohol, this can lead to a full-blown addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, please reach out for help today.
Is Alcohol Addictive?
Alcohol is a highly addictive substance, affecting the brain’s reward system and releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that produces feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. These effects can keep people coming back for more, with these cravings turning into compulsive drinking behavior.
Alcohol dependence is a chronic relapsing disorder that can have a significant impact on a person’s physical and mental health. While anyone is capable of developing an addiction to alcohol, there are certain factors that can increase a person’s risk of dependence, including:
- Early exposure to alcohol: Evidence suggests that those who begin drinking before the age of 15 - particularly females - are over three times as likely to develop an alcohol addiction than those who start drinking past age 18.
- Genetics and family history: Individuals with a family history of substance abuse or who have been exposed to their parent's drinking from a young age are considered more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder themselves.
- Mental health disorders and trauma: Many people who suffer from a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and past traumatic experiences, are at an increased risk of AUD, usually from attempting to use alcohol to self-medicate their symptoms.
Understanding the risks of alcohol addiction can help you keep yourself and your loved ones safe from the serious consequences this disease can have. If you believe you may be at risk of alcohol addiction, it is important to seek professional help.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction is a serious problem that can have devastating consequences for both the affected individual and their loved ones. It is important to be aware of the signs of alcohol abuse so that you can get help if you or someone you know is struggling with this condition.
While everyone may not express exactly the same signs of addiction as the next, some of the most common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include:
- Drinking more than you intend to or for longer than you planned.
- Feeling unable to control your drinking.
- Needing to drink more and more to get the same effect.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, such as shaking, sweating, anxiety, or nausea.
- Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy.
- Engaging in risky or dangerous behavior while drinking.
- Getting into legal trouble because of your drinking.
- Having problems at work or school because of your drinking.
- Neglecting your responsibilities, such as caring for your children or going to work.
- Arguing with your family and friends about your drinking.
- Feeling isolated and alone because of your drinking.
Symptoms of alcohol addiction can be physical, psychological, and behavioral. Some of the most common physical symptoms include:
- Tolerance, or needing to drink more alcohol to get the same effect.
- Withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, such as anxiety, shaking, sweating, nausea, and vomiting.
- Blackouts, or periods of memory loss caused by heavy drinking.
Psychological symptoms can include cravings, a strong urge or desire to drink alcohol, loss of control over your drinking, and continued drinking despite negative consequences. Finally, the behavioral symptoms of alcohol addiction include:
- Secrecy or hiding your drinking from others.ohol to get the same effect.
- Drink alone, or prefer to drink by yourself to avoid judgment.
- Engaging in risky behaviors while drinking, such as driving or having unprotected sex.
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have an addiction to alcohol, it is important to seek help. There are many effective treatments available, and getting help as soon as possible can help you achieve a happier and healthier life.
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be abusing alcohol, it is important to seek professional treatment as soon as possible. Treatment for alcohol addiction is available and can help people struggling with this condition achieve healthier, sober lives.
Types of Alcohol Abuse
There are several different types of alcohol abuse, and it is important to know how to differentiate between each of them. One of the most common ways people abuse alcohol is through binge drinking. This is a pattern of drinking that involves consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time.
Binge drinking is usually defined as having five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women within two hours. Binge drinking is a dangerous form of alcohol abuse, and it can lead to serious health problems, including alcohol poisoning, injuries, and violence.
The next form of alcohol abuse is heavy drinking, which is defined as consuming more than the recommended daily or weekly limits of alcohol. The definitions for heavy drinking are different for men and women, but generally qualifies as having 15 or more drinks per week for men and eight or more drinks per week for women.
What is important to understand is that each of these behaviors can occur once or twice without this being considered a concern for addiction. However, multiple occurrences of heavy or binge drinking are not only a sign of an alcohol use disorder but a serious health risk.
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a variety of unpleasant side effects, including disorientation, nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, and even death. This is why it is important to always try to drink in moderation.
What Is an Alcohol Use Disorder?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) states that meeting two out of eleven of its criteria for an AUD within a twelve-month period is enough to get a diagnosis for this condition. These criteria include:
- Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than originally intended.
- More than once, you have experienced wanting or trying to cut down or stop drinking but couldn't.
- Spent a lot of time being sick or getting over other aftereffects of drinking.
- Wanted a drink so badly you couldn't think of anything else.
- Often, you find that drinking or the effects of drinking interfere with taking care of your home, job, school, or family responsibilities.
- Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends.
- Give up or cut back on previously enjoyable or important activities in order to drink.
- Multiple instances of engaging in dangerous activities such as driving, swimming, or having unsafe sex while drinking.
- Continued to drink even though this worsened depression or anxiety or caused a memory blackout.
- Had to drink much more than you once did to get the desired effect.n or anxiety or caused a memory blackout.
- Found that you experienced withdrawal symptoms when no longer drinking.
Meeting two or three of these criteria is considered an indication of a mild alcohol use disorder, with four or five indicating a moderate disorder and six or more criteria being considered a severe disorder.
Self-Assessment: Am I Addicted?
Physical Dependency on Alcohol
Physical dependence on alcohol is a condition that occurs when the body becomes accustomed to having alcohol in its system. During the early stages of a physical dependency on alcohol, people will experience a tolerance to alcohol and cravings for the substance when they are not drinking.
When a person who is physically dependent on alcohol suddenly stops drinking, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. This is because their body has become accustomed to functioning with alcohol and is unable to work without the presence of this substance.
In some cases, this dependence can be so severe that suddenly stopping one’s alcohol use can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures and delirium tremens. This is why it is crucial to seek professional treatment during the early stages of recovery.
Psychological Dependency on Alcohol
With a psychological dependence on alcohol, a person’s brain will be directly affected by the person’s alcohol consumption. Over time, they will experience themselves thinking about drinking more often or feeling the need to drink to relax or feel normal.
The more they satisfy these desires, the more their brain comes to rely on alcohol for fulfilling their emotional needs until this dependence has turned into a full-blown addiction. When attempting to stop drinking, this can lead to psychological withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Disorientation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty concentrating
- Paranoia
If you are experiencing any symptoms of psychological dependence on alcohol, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Alcohol abuse can be a hazardous condition, and it is vital to seek assistance in managing your symptoms and preventing complications.
Have any questions?
Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe and can last for several days or weeks. The severity of symptoms depends on a number of factors, including the amount of alcohol consumed, the length of time a person has been drinking, and their overall health.
Mild symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Loss of Appetite
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Continued to drink even though this worsened depression or anxiety or caused a memory blackout.
- Had to drink much more than you once did to get the desired effect.n or anxiety or caused a memory blackout.
- Found that you experienced withdrawal symptoms when no longer drinking.
More severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include:
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens (DTs) (a severe state of confusion and agitation)
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Alcohol withdrawal can be a dangerous condition, and it is important to get help to manage your symptoms and prevent complications.
Consequences of Alcoholism
Alcohol addiction can have many consequences for those affected by this condition. Some of the biggest effects alcoholism can have are the health consequences long-term alcohol abuse causes, including:
- Liver damage, including cirrhosis
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety
- Weakened immune system
Alcoholism can also lead to social consequences, including relationship problems, job loss, financial issues, and legal conflicts due to alcohol-related crime and violence. Because of how serious these consequences can be, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alcoholism
There is no set answer for how much a person has to drink before developing an addiction to alcohol. For some people, they can become hooked after just one drink, while others can drink for years without their alcohol use becoming a habit.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the normal amount of alcohol is two or fewer drinks per occasion for men and one drink or less per occasion for women. Drinking any more than this can be considered problematic, especially if done on a regular basis.
Delirium tremens (DTs), also known as alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD), is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can occur when someone who is physically dependent on alcohol suddenly stops drinking. It is characterized by a number of symptoms, including an altered mental state, autonomic hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures.
DTs will usually begin between 2-3 days after an addicted individual stops drinking and can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated.
Although alcohol abuse can cause severe brain damage, this does not have to be permanent. The human brain has the ability to adapt and repair itself even after long-term abuse of alcohol as it rebuilds brain cells and neural pathways over time.
Of course, the longer someone takes to seek help for their addiction, the longer they will suffer from the damage their alcohol abuse has caused. This is why it is important to know how to recognize this disease and seek professional treatment as soon as possible.
In severe cases, it is possible for the alcohol withdrawal process to be life-threatening. This is because suddenly quitting drinking after a long period of abuse can cause seizures and DTs, which can be deadly without proper support and treatment.
With this risk of serious withdrawal effects, it is important to begin the recovery process from alcohol addiction under the supervision of medical professionals at a medical detox or treatment facility.
The duration of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on several factors, including the severity of the alcohol dependence, the individual’s overall health, and the presence of any underlying medical conditions. Generally, though, this period will typically begin within 6-8 hours after the last drink, peak within 24-72 hours, and gradually subside over the next 5-7 days.
Medications used to treat alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), are primarily used in conjunction with behavioral therapy and other forms of psychosocial support. The most commonly prescribed medications for AUD include Disulfiram (Antabuse), Naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol), and Acamprosate (Campral).
Most alcohol detox programs will last about a week. Rapid detox is not something that will be recommended in a professional treatment setting, nor should it be attempted at home due to the serious health risks that can occur when rushing the recovery process.
The length of a medical detox program for alcohol addiction can vary depending on the severity of the abuse, the individual’s overall health, and the type of detox program used. However, most detox programs for alcohol last between 7 and 10 days.
For mild to moderate cases, this process can be as quick as 3-7 days, while more moderate to severe cases may take between 7-10 days or longer if necessary. It is important not to rush this process and be patient with your recovery.
What To Expect During Rehab for Alcoholism
Alcohol addiction rehab, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment, is a process that helps people stop drinking alcohol and maintain sobriety. It typically involves a combination of therapies, medications, and support groups.
Inpatient rehab is the most common level of care used for treating alcohol addiction and involves staying at a residential facility for a period of time, typically 30 to 90 days. Inpatient treatment provides 24/7 care and supervision, and it is often the best option for people who have severe alcohol addiction or who have a high risk of relapse.
Therapy is another main component of alcohol rehab, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and group therapy. Holistic treatments such as meditation, journaling, and yoga can also be effective for managing an alcohol addiction.
Finally, medications can be used to help people stop drinking alcohol and reduce the risk of relapse. These can be used during both the detox period as well as after the treatment process to help manage cravings and underlying conditions that may contribute to your substance abuse.
Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (MAUD)
During the medical detox process, your treatment provider will administer medications to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These might include Disulfiram (Antabuse), Naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol), and Acamprosate (Campral).
At Royal Life Centers, our facilities offer medication-assisted treatment to those in active recovery from alcohol addiction, as well as those who are seeking aftercare support as they work to maintain long-term sobriety.
Therapy for Alcoholism
For many people, therapy will be a key element in their recovery process from alcoholism. This treatment method can start as early as the detox period and can help people better understand their addictions and the underlying causes of their substance abuse.
At Royal Life Centers, we offer a wide variety of therapies, from evidence-based and behavioral therapy modalities to holistic treatments such as guided meditation, yoga, journaling, and much more. We believe this gives our clients the chance to learn healthy coping mechanisms for the stress and challenges of their day-to-day lives.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment at
Royal Life Centers
At Royal Life Centers, we embrace every guest as a cherished member of our family. Our approach to care revolves around the individual, as we strive to deeply understand their needs and provide the best assistance possible. Our comprehensive programs are tailored to empower guests, equipping them to reenter daily life with sobriety and fulfillment. If any guest desires additional time in our facilities before resuming their regular routines, we are more than happy to accommodate their wishes.
Upon commencing treatment at our alcohol addiction rehab, guests embark on their recovery journey through our medical detoxification and residential inpatient programs. During the detox phase, we collaborate closely with each guest to develop a customized treatment plan that caters to their unique requirements.
Within our evidence-based therapies, our guests acquire the tools to break free from the cycle of addiction and gain profound insights into their thoughts and emotions. We wholeheartedly believe in a holistic approach to recovery, dedicated to healing the body, mind, and spirit. To achieve this, our personalized treatment ensures that you receive the necessary support while navigating the early stages of recovery.
We highly recommend following your time in alcohol detox and inpatient care with our 12-week aftercare program in Mead, Washington. The initial four weeks encompass our partial hospitalization program (PHP), which seamlessly transitions into an 8-week intensive outpatient program (IOP). After completing the 12 weeks, guests can transition into our outpatient program (OP) for ongoing care and connection.
If you or someone you know is ready to seek help for alcohol dependence, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Regardless of where you stand in the recovery process, Royal Life Centers is dedicated to assisting you on your path to lasting sobriety. Our admissions team is available 24/7 to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Are you looking for help with addiction? Let us support you on the path to lasting recovery
Inpatient Alcohol Rehab in Washington State
Inpatient alcohol rehab, also known as residential treatment, is a type of addiction treatment program that requires patients to live at the treatment facility 24/7. This type of treatment is often recommended for people with severe alcohol use disorders who need a structured and supportive environment to recover.
At Royal Life Centers, our inpatient alcohol rehab programs typically last 30, 60, or 90 days, and they offer a variety of evidence-based treatments, including medication management, therapy, case management, and much more, all while remaining under constant supervision.
- Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights is our detox and inpatient treatment center in Spokane, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Cascade Heights is our aftercare and outpatient treatment center in Mead, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at The Haven is our detoxification and inpatient treatment center in Lacey, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Sound Recovery is our aftercare and outpatient treatment center in Lacey, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Puget Sound is our detox and residential inpatient treatment center in Sumner, Washington.
Royal Life Centers’ detox and residential inpatient rehab centers in Washington State offer a comprehensive range of treatment services. This allowing our guests to seamlessly transition between levels of care for an effective recovery journey. Throughout your treatment with us, our experienced staff will provide guidance and support to help you make positive lifestyle changes, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life in recovery from alcohol addiction.
We understand that recovery is a journey, and we are here to provide support in every possible way. For more information on our treatment centers and how you can get help today, please call our 24/7 admissions team at 888-907-0898.
Looking for Alcohol Addiction Treatment?
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism, please reach out to us to find out more about how our alcohol addiction treatment services can help. We work with most private insurance policies and we have affordable self-pay rates if you do not have insurance. Give us a call and we will figure out the best treatment plan for you or your loved one. Because We Care.
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If you or someone you know has a substance use disorder,
we hope you’ll begin your journey with us at Royal Life Centers.
