Alcohol Use Disorder – Alcoholism – Alcoholics

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol use disorder, otherwise known as alcoholism and its affected people as Alcoholics, is a pattern of alcohol use that involves a lack of control over drinking, a preoccupation with alcohol and continued use of alcohol despite its interference with everyday lives.

According to the National Institute of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, anyone meeting any two of the following 11 criteria during the same 12-month period receives a diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder. The severity of Alcohol Use Disorder – mild, moderate, or severe – is based on the number of criteria met.

To assess whether you or loved one may have Alcohol Use Disorder, here are some questions to ask. In the past year, have you:

• Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer than you intended?

• More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t?

• Spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over the aftereffects?

• Experienced craving — a strong need, or urge, to drink?

• Found that drinking — or being sick from drinking — often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?

• Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?

• Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink?

• More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex)?

• Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?

• Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?

• Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, or sweating? Or sensed things that were not there?

If you experienced any of these symptoms, your drinking may already be a cause for concern. If you can answer yes to 2 or more of these questions, you may need to seek treatment.

Water Gap Wellness offers expert treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder. With an on-site psychiatrist daily, 2 private counseling sessions weekly and group sessions daily, Water Gap Wellness offers a path to freedom.

Additionally, our comprehensive program offers housing at the beautiful Water Gap Wellness Inn, located in Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania.

If you answered yes to two or more of the above criteria, please give us a call and speak with one of our friendly admissions counselors. Their expertise can help guide you to your new tomorrow. Call 1-833-WGW-HOPE

 

 

written by Annette Kaiser, Water Gap Wellness

About WGWC

Water Gap Wellness Center offers expert and compassionate treatment for mental health and substance abuse at our Pennsylvania facility, just outside New Jersey, a short drive from New York. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you today. 

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