When medical or mental health treatment providers diagnose alcohol use disorders, they describe one’s relationship with alcohol in “degrees of severity.” The degrees of severity range from mild to severe. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) lists eleven specific criteria addiction treatment professionals use to help determine how severe your struggle with alcohol is. It is not necessary to exhibit all eleven to have an alcohol use disorder. The ability to recognize what problematic drinking “looks like” can help you seek help early to overcome addiction.
How Common is Alcoholism?
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates over seventeen million American adults have alcohol use disorders of varying severity. Another nine-hundred thousand Americans between the ages of twelve and seventeen have alcohol use disorders. It is essential to remember that alcoholism is not a problem created overnight. It emerges from long-term alcohol abuse. For most adults, occasional, moderate drinking is not a cause for concern. However, when alcohol consumption becomes uncontrollable, addiction and alcoholism could become a problem.
What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse?
The signs of alcohol abuse look different from person to person, making recognizing signs of alcohol abuse challenging. Although long-term alcohol abuse will inevitably lead to significant physical and psychological health challenges, the time it takes for someone to develop an addiction to alcohol will vary. When someone abuses alcohol, the signs of their unhealthy relationship with drinking will be physical and psychological. When left untreated ongoing alcohol abuse can lead to severe and life-threatening consequences.
As noted above, recognizing the warning signs of alcohol abuse early can help ensure you or a loved one receive early access to vital alcohol addiction treatment. Although alcohol abuse will look different from one person to the next, several common symptoms appear in most cases. Common examples include:
- Increasing isolation from friends and loved ones.
- Drinking alone
- Making excuses to drink.
- Sudden and frequent mood swings.
- New or worsening physical and mental health symptoms.
- Difficulties with short-term memory or experiencing “blackouts.”
- Legal or financial problems related to alcohol or drinking.
Are There Alcohol Treatment Centers in Michigan?
Getting sober when you have an alcohol addiction can be challenging and complicated. The withdrawal symptoms many experience when reducing or quitting alcohol entirely can sometimes be overwhelming and difficult to manage without treatment support. Detoxing from alcohol for some can be dangerous and even life-threatening. For this reason, alcohol treatment centers in Michigan offer medically assisted detox to ensure you can overcome alcohol addiction in a safe and supportive setting. Once detox is complete, you can easily transition from detox to therapy in an environment where you feel comfortable and supported.
Addiction treatment programs offer various behavioral therapies that can help you address your addiction’s root causes and better understand how your behaviors are connected to cravings and triggers. During treatment, your treatment team will ask you to explore the behaviors that lead to addiction. You will also learn and practice new, healthy, safer coping mechanisms you can use once treatment ends to help better manage stressful situations or other circumstances that may have historically led you to alcohol use.
Addiction is a disease that affects everyone differently. Therefore one size fits all or cookie-cutter addiction treatment programs are not suitable to meet everyone’s addiction treatment needs and goals. At Liberty House, we will ensure your treatment program is as unique and individual as you are.
How to Find Treatment for Alcoholism near Ann Arbor, Michigan
Alcohol addiction is a chronic and progressive disease. It is classified as chronic because there is no cure. However, alcohol addiction is treatable, and long-term sobriety is possible. However, a person who is addicted to alcohol will always have to be on guard with their thoughts, actions, and triggers to avoid potential relapse after completing a successful alcohol addiction treatment program. Liberty House Recovery is an inpatient rehab in Michigan, providing therapy and detox programs near Ann Arbor. Contact us today to learn more about our Michigan alcohol treatment programs.