Alcohol Addiction: Effects, Withdrawal, & Treatment
Learn what alcohol use disorder is and how to find treatment for alcohol addiction.
Alcohol Use Disorder
About Alcohol Misuse
Treatment Programs
Alcohol Misuse Overview
More than half of American adults aged 18 and older—over 131 million people—drink alcohol. And in 2021, nearly a quarter of those people (23%) met the criteria for an alcohol use disorder.1
Each year, 1 in 5 deaths among adults ages 20 to 49 is due to excessive alcohol use. The CDC defines excessive alcohol use as anyone who engages in binge drinking or heavy drinking, as well as underage drinking or drinking while pregnant.2
Binge drinking is defined as 4 or more drinks for women and 5 or more drinks for men on a single occasion. Heavy drinking is considered 8 or more drinks per week for women, or 15 for men.3
With each episode of excessive drinking, all considered alcohol misuse, a person is at increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Choosing to drink moderately or abstain from alcohol completely can help people avoid the consequences of alcohol misuse.3,4
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
An alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic disease that involves the continued, uncontrollable consumption of alcohol despite its negative impact on a person’s health and well-being.4
AUDs can range in severity and may sometimes also be referred to as “alcohol addiction” or the outdated and stigmatizing term “alcoholism.”4
While excessive alcohol use can contribute to the increased risk of alcohol use disorder, genetic factors, family history of AUD, and having certain mental health conditions can also play a role in increasing a person’s risk.4
Those with an AUD are in luck, there are a variety of treatment approaches that can help people stop drinking and maintain abstinence. It is important to remember that AUD is not a moral failing—it is a serious, yet treatable brain disease.4
Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
It can be difficult to recognize when alcohol use becomes an addiction.
Addiction medicine specialists define addiction as a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences, where substance use becomes compulsive and is continued despite harmful consequences.5
For those who are concerned about a loved one’s drinking, there are usually signs of alcohol use disorder that they can look out for.
DSM-5 Diagnosis Criteria
Medical professionals use The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—5th Edition (DSM-5) to diagnose alcohol use disorders. The DSM-5 lays out 11 criteria that may factor into the diagnosis, including:6
- Consuming alcohol in increasing amounts or for a longer period than originally intended.
- Wanting to cut down on alcohol use but not being able to.
- Spending increasing amounts of time trying to get, use, or recover from alcohol use.
- Craving alcohol.
- Being unable to fulfill major obligations at home, work, or school because of alcohol use.
- Using alcohol despite it causing social or interpersonal problems.
- Giving up previously enjoyed hobbies or activities due to alcohol use.
- Repeatedly using alcohol in dangerous situations, such as drinking and driving.
- Continuing to consume alcohol even though it may worsen an existing mental or physical health issue.
- Building up a tolerance to alcohol or needing an increasing amount of alcohol to feel its effects.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop drinking.
A person must exhibit at least two of these signs within a 12-month period to meet the criteria for an AUD.
Signs of Problematic Drinking
The American Academy of Family Physicians outlines additional signs that can indicate someone may have a problem with alcohol use, including:7
- Mixing alcohol with over-the-counter medications.
- Drinking alcohol while caring for small children.
- Regularly using alcohol to relax, sleep, or relieve anxiety.
- Regularly using alcohol for social anxiety.
- Regularly using alcohol to avoid feeling sad or other uncomfortable feelings.
- Becoming annoyed when someone makes a comment about their drinking.
- Feeling guilty about drinking.
- Needing to have a drink first thing in the morning.
- Hiding alcohol or buying it at different stores so no one will realize how much they are drinking.
- Worrying about running out of alcohol in a given evening or weekend.
- Hurting others as a result of drinking.
- Passing out and having memory lapses from drinking.
- Loved ones making comments about the person’s drinking patterns.
- Unexplained changes in behavior.
Effects & Health Risks of Alcohol Use
Potential Risks of Alcohol Misuse
There are many potential consequences associated with alcohol misuse, including serious and lasting effects on brain function and behavior.3
Excessive alcohol use is associated with increased risk of the following short- or long-term complications:3
- Injury from falling, drowning, burns, car crashes, or other accidents.
- Experiencing violence.
- Consequences from risky sexual behaviors, including unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
- Elevated blood pressure.
- Heart disease.
- Stroke.
- Liver diseases.
- Several cancers.
- Weakened immune system.
- Learning or memory problems.
- Dementia.
- Worsening or triggering of co-occurring mental health conditions.
- Family or work difficulties.
- Alcohol use disorder.
- Alcohol poisoning.
Signs & Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning, or alcohol overdose, is a dangerous condition that can occur when a person drinks too much and too fast. As high amounts of alcohol enter the bloodstream, certain areas of the brain that control basic life-supporting functions—like breathing and heart rate—begin to fail.8
Drinking more increases a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and a high BAC puts a person at greater risk of harm. A severe alcohol overdose can lead to permanent brain damage and may even be fatal.8
Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning may include:8
- Confusion or stupor.
- Going in and out of consciousness or loss of consciousness.
- Vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Extremely slow (less than 8 breaths per minute) or irregular breathing (10 or more seconds between breaths).
- Slow heart rate.
- Cold or clammy skin, possibly bluish skin coloring.
- Diminished reflexes (including gag reflex).
- Low body temperature.
If you or someone around you is experiencing alcohol poisoning, it is important to get emergency medical help immediately. Call 911 right away.
Alcohol Dependence & Withdrawal
Chronic alcohol use can lead to physiological dependence. Once a person develops a dependence on alcohol, they are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop drinking or cut back their use.6
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range in severity and may include:9
- Elevated blood pressure.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Loss of appetite.
- Trouble concentrating.
- Impaired memory and judgment.
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Digestive problems.
- Headache
- Racing heart.
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Seizures
- High fever.
A severe and rare complication of alcohol withdrawal is a phenomenon known as delirium tremens, a possibly fatal condition that involves severe hallucinations and trembling.9
Medical Detox for Alcohol Withdrawal
Severe withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and life-threatening and require medical attention. A person at risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms will benefit from undergoing alcohol withdrawal in a supervised medical setting.9
Enrolling in a medical detox program can minimize the risk of complications and help ensure safety and comfort during the process.9
How Medical Detox Works
During medical detox, patients go through withdrawal from alcohol or drugs in a supervised medical setting where they receive support and care that help alleviate discomfort and reduce the risk of medical complications.9
Medications may be administered to reduce the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures.9
Detox is an important first step in the recovery process for many people. Detox staff can facilitate entry into more comprehensive rehab, where patients gain a better understanding of alcohol use disorder and learn new and healthier ways to cope, rather than drinking alcohol or using substances.9
Medications Used for Alcohol Withdrawal
Medications sometimes used in medical detox to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:9
- Benzodiazepines: The drug class of choice for managing severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, benzodiazepines (e.g., Librium (chlordiazepoxide) and Valium (diazepam)) can reduce the risk and intensity of severe symptoms such as seizures.
- Barbiturates: Sometimes used in the rare instance that an alternative to benzodiazepines is required.
- Anticonvulsants and antipsychotics may be used off-label to treat certain alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- Other medications, such as beta-blockers or clonidine, may be prescribed to control individual symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat or high blood pressure.
Learn more about medications commonly used during drug and alcohol detox.
Rehab for Alcohol Addiction
Getting treatment for alcohol addiction can be life-changing. Alcohol rehab provides professional support, resources, and skills to help sustain long-term recovery from AUD.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options
Treatment often consists of one or more of the following:10
- Detox: An important first step for many, medical detox can reduce the risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.
- Inpatient treatment consists of 24/7 care and supervision in a hospital or residential setting. Patients with serious mental and physical health conditions or poor social support often begin their journey here.
- Outpatient treatment allows a person to live at home and commute to rehab at a substance use treatment facility. The amount of time per week varies widely and depends on a person’s individual needs. Partial hospitalization programs may require 6–8 hours per day throughout the week, while traditional outpatient programs may meet as little as a few times per month.
- Aftercare, or continued care, helps patients stay engaged with their recovery efforts and maintain abstinence after formal treatment ends. Alcohol rehab aftercare may involve mutual support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, ongoing therapy, alumni groups, or sober living homes.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Florida
If you or a loved one needs help for alcohol misuse or addiction, there is hope. Recovery First is an inpatient rehab near Miami that offers several types of addiction treatment designed to meet the individual needs of each patient.
Our caring staff and admissions navigators are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about treatment options, the rehab admissions process, alcohol rehab insurance, or other ways to pay for rehab.
Call 954-526-5776 or contact us online, and let us help you begin the path to recovery today.
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FAQs
The best person to diagnose whether you have an alcohol use disorder or not is a doctor or mental health professional. There are signs of alcohol abuse that you may be identify on your own, but a diagnosis should come from a medical professional.
We know that consuming alcohol leads to the release of endorphins in the brain, which can produce feelings of pleasure and reward. When someone abuses alcohol regularly, it can create changes in the neural circuits in charge of motivational processes that drive subsequent alcohol-seeking behavior.
Although more research needs to be done to understand how genetics affects someone’s predisposition to alcohol abuse, researchers have identified some genes that can impact a person’s chance to becoming addicted to alcohol.21
ADH1B and ALDH2 are two genes that so far are the strongest known to affect the risk of alcoholism. A handful of others (GABRA2, CHRM2, KCNJ6, and AUTS2) are currently being studied for their impact.21 Note that genes can either increase the risk of alcohol abuse or protect against that risk.
Genes aren’t the only thing that influence how a person might deal with alcohol consumption—their environment is an indicator as well.22
Learn more about how genetics impact the chance for alcohol abuse.
Supporting a loved one or friend can be an incredible help to their recovery journey.20 Avoid providing medical advice or your own diagnosis and focus on encouraging and helping your loved one to see a medical or mental health professional or find the right treatment program for them.
More About Alcohol Recovery
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, July 11). Excessive alcohol use.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, April 14). Alcohol use and your health.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2023, April). Understanding alcohol use disorder.
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2019). Definition of addiction.
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.
- American Academy of Family Physicians. (2004, March). Information from your family doctor. Alcohol abuse: How to recognize problem drinking. American Family Physician, 69(6), 1497-1498.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2023, January). Understanding the dangers of alcohol overdose.
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2015). Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General. (2016, November). Facing addiction in America: The surgeon general’s report on alcohol, drugs, and health. Washington, DC.