Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a serious condition that involves the excessive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol. People with alcoholism can also suffer from a combination of physical and mental dependence that can impact every aspect of life.

Although social alcohol consumption is a part of many cultures and societies, individuals, especially those with a high risk of developing an addiction, can easily slip into compulsive drinking habits and lose control. People addicted to alcohol should always seek alcohol addiction help at a professional rehabilitation center. If you or a loved one is suffering from alcohol addiction, you are not alone. Help is always available, and recovery is possible with AION Health Group.

Alcohol has some stimulant properties but is mainly a central nervous system depressant and has a strong impact on brain chemistry. When consumed quickly or in large amounts, alcohol will impair judgment, motor skills, speech, and more.

Once alcohol enters a person’s body, it quickly travels to the stomach and small intestine, where ethanol (the ingredient that makes you feel relaxed or drunk) is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Many times, a person’s first experience with alcohol happens in a social setting like college, where there’s pressure to drink. Young adults account for 32% of alcoholics today and generally partake in binge drinking.

Binge drinking is serious and happens when men drink five or more drinks, or women drink four or more drinks in the span of two hours. While binge drinkers may not be alcohol dependent early on, this can be a gateway to developing a serious problem. Additionally, people who binge drink are more likely to experience blackouts, where they don’t remember key events or periods.

The road to alcohol addiction isn’t always straightforward. There can be a lot of factors that contribute to how and when a person becomes dependent on alcohol. However, when consumption isn’t monitored, one drink a night can quickly turn into two, three, or an entire bottle.

Alcohol is widely available, and when used responsibly by adults, it can be enjoyable. It’s the loss of control that can cause serious repercussions and alcohol addiction. If this is your situation and you’re ready to regain control of your life, help is within reach with AION Health Group.

Anyone can fall victim to alcohol addiction, so if you or a loved one are living in shame, fear, or regret, please know that you don’t have to go through this journey alone.

Addiction to alcohol is much more prevalent than people think, and alcohol addiction facts don’t lie.

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, six people per day die of alcohol positioning in the United States, with 75% of deaths among adults 35 to 64 years old. Additionally, 76% of those deaths were reported to be men.

However, it’s important to remember that addiction in general, whether it be to drugs or alcohol, does not discriminate. People of all ages and backgrounds can fall victim to addiction. A 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) showed that 55.3% of people reported drinking in the past month and 26% of people ages 18 and older engaged in binge drinking in the past month. These statistics show just how widespread and diverse alcohol use is in today’s society.

Age aside, it’s important to remember that you or your loved one are never alone in the battle against alcoholism. With professional help, you can overcome addiction and reap the benefits of long-term recovery.

Alcohol addiction can be very serious, and people with an addiction can face many challenges in their daily lives. People with an alcohol problem typically develop both a physical and mental dependence that can become debilitating.

How long and how much a person has been drinking will impact the effects of alcohol on the central nervous system. However, as a drinking problem persists, the brain begins to compensate for heightened levels of alcohol. In response, the body begins to work overtime to keep the brain functioning and alert.

The sudden drop in alcohol levels is what causes withdrawal symptoms, and these symptoms can be much more dangerous than withdrawal from other substances.

Alcohol addiction can look like:

• Appearing bloated or puffy
• Appearing pale or red
• Binge drinking
• Changes in behavior/personality when drinking
• Continuing to drink despite affecting everyday life
• Drinking early in the day
• Drinking in secret
• Engaging in hazardous activities (drinking and driving, unprotected sex, etc.)
• Experiencing mental and physical withdrawal symptoms with decreased use
• Increased tolerance
• Loss of interest in hobbies
• Loss of job, familial ties, custody of children, etc.
• Loss of motor skills or balance
• Moderate to intense cravings
• Noticeable weight loss or gain
• Regularly blacking out
• Routinely waking up hungover
• Slurred speech

While there can be other symptoms of alcohol addiction, these are some of the most common.

Alcohol withdrawal can be a difficult and uncomfortable process both physically and mentally. If you or your loved one is a habitual, heavy drinker, mild withdrawal symptoms can appear as early as six hours after your last drink. More serious symptoms can appear anywhere from 12-72 hours after having your last sip of alcohol and can pose serious health risks.

Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms can look like:

• Dilated pupils
• Headache
• Lethargy
• Mood swings (irritable, depressed, anxious)
• Nausea
• Shakes (not to be confused with delirium tremens)
• Sweating
• Trouble sleeping
• Vomiting

Serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms can look like:

• Confusion
• Delirium tremens (DTs)
• Extreme mood swings
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Profuse sweating
• Seizures

No one should undergo alcohol withdrawal alone, not only can it be dangerous, but also isolating. People suffering from alcoholism must seek help from supportive professionals to safely and comfortably withdrawal.

There’s no way around it, alcohol addiction is serious. If you or your loved one are ready to take the first step in conquering addiction, AION Health Group is here to help.

At AION Health Group, we offer patients a comprehensive approach when it comes to addiction recovery. Patients can choose from a wide range of treatment programs.

Northlake Recovery offers partial hospitalization addiction treatment plans, along with outpatient detox, intensive outpatient, and MAT therapy (medically assisted treatment). Northlake Recovery takes a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment, and one-on-one support provides patients with the individualized care, treatment, and counseling they require for a successful recovery.

Northlake Recovery treatment center offers customized MAT treatment to manage withdrawal symptoms due to alcohol and drug addiction. With a primary focus on detoxification, patients can start a recovery journey with a clean slate.

Northlake Recovery provides an abstinence-based recovery program* with personalized care while integrating exciting and proven-to-work activities that support a positive patient outcome. Aside from award-winning support, “Gold Seal” Joint Commission Accreditation, and hundreds of wonderful patient testimonials, Northlake Recovery also offers a total-wellness approach that includes fitness, nutrition, psychological and medical support, as well as alternative pain management techniques.

It’s imperative to get to the root of addiction, and AION Health Group is an evidence-based group of recovery centers that offers holistic-focused treatment for substance abuse. Each center aims to provide patients with total healing and long-term recovery, so you or your loved ones can live a successful and happy life. We’ve helped patients with various backgrounds overcome addiction with comprehensive and personalized recovery plans that combine our evidence-based and adventure-focused treatment modalities.

Alcohol addiction is a complex disease that has many underlying issues and can result in serious medical problems or even death. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction and are ready to receive the support needed to start a new, alcohol-free life, then call us today at 888-912-2454 or contact us online for assistance. Our qualified and friendly staff is standing by to offer you admissions information when you’re ready. You or your loved one do not have to live a life of addiction. Help is here with AION Health Group.

*Abstinence-based recovery means patients will not receive medical comfort while detoxing.