Until recently, most treatment specialists divided alcohol use into two different categories: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Now, they combine these two categories into a single diagnosis of a substance use disorder, which can range from mild to severe. However, this may still leave you with questions. What is alcohol abuse? What is alcohol dependence? More importantly, are there treatment options for these conditions? At Summit Estate, we know how essential alcohol addiction treatment can be for a person’s life. To learn more about escaping alcohol dependence, contact Summit Estate today.
Alcohol Dependence vs. Alcohol Abuse
When a person uses the term “alcohol dependence,” it means that your body is becoming more dependent on the substance. In other words, it’s beginning to rely on the drug. You’re becoming more tolerant, meaning that you need to drink more alcohol to achieve the same effect. For example, you used to only need one or two shots to get that buzz you’re searching for, but now you need 4, 5, or 6. You may also have begun to get withdrawal symptoms if you don’t drink for extended periods of time. As a result, you’re drinking more to avoid or relieve the shakiness you’re feeling. You may also feel compelled to drink alcohol, whether you want to believe it or not.
On the other hand, you may be abusing alcohol if you continue to drink despite social, health, legal, and interpersonal problems due to alcohol. You can struggle with both alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse. If you do, you may struggle with severe alcohol addiction.
Am I Suffering From Withdrawal Due to Alcohol Dependence?
One of the first signs of alcohol dependence is that you have begun to struggle with withdrawal symptoms when you don’t drink. These symptoms usually are at their worst between 24 to 72 hours after you had your last week. However, withdrawal symptoms as alcohol addiction can last for a period of weeks. If you’re dealing with withdrawal symptoms, it may be time to seek out an alcohol detox program.
The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Headache
- Pale, clammy skin
- Sweating
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea/vomiting
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Hallucinations
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Depression
Mild symptoms to moderate symptoms may mean that you can receive outpatient detox treatment at an alcohol detox center. You can ask a loved one to stay with you or go to a clinician for daily monitoring to make sure that your withdrawal symptoms don’t get out of hand.
However, if your symptoms increase to moderate to severe, it’s essential that you get inpatient treatment at an alcohol addiction treatment center, such as Summit Estate. This treatment can involve sedatives, intravenous fluids, and other medications. Your treatment specialist may also administer vitamins and monitor vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure.
Contact Summit Estate For Treatment
If you know that your alcohol dependence is leading you to a place you don’t want to go, it’s essential to get treatment as soon as possible. At Summit Estate’s alcohol addiction treatment center, we offer a wide range of therapeutic methods to help you begin the journey to long-term recovery.
For example, several of our therapies are evidence-based. Evidence-based therapies are treatments that addiction treatment specialists have studied extensively. Through careful testing and observation, they have verifiable proof that these methods can effectively treat addiction.
We also use many holistic treatments. Holistic treatments address the damage that addiction has done across all parts of you, including your mind, body, and soul. With holistic therapies, we can address that damage and give you the care that you need to fully recover.
Today is the day to end your alcohol dependence. To learn more, contact the experts at Summit Estate at 800.701.6997.
