Alcohol Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Rehab Treatments

Alcohol is such a common substance that most people don’t stop to think about what it actually is. Alcohol is a chemical produced by the fermentation of sugar or yeast that is found in beer, wine, and liquor. It is also present in many household substances like mouthwash, hand sanitizer, essential oils, cough syrup, and even hairspray.

Alcohol is a depressive substance, which means that it slows the central nervous system when consumed. This can lead to slower reaction times, decreased coordination, and diminished alertness, depending on the level of alcohol content in a person’s blood.

Some people consume alcohol to help them feel more relaxed and to help them overcome natural inhibitions. However, when consumed in large amounts, alcohol can be both toxic and addictive.

Alcohol addiction, commonly called alcoholism, is a disorder where a person drinks alcohol even when it negatively affects their health, safety, work, relationships, or other areas of their life.

Even in small amounts, alcohol is a toxic substance. However, the more one drinks, the more the effects become noticeable in one’s body. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, which carries the highest risk.[1]  This group of carcinogens also includes asbestos, radiation, and tobacco. Alcohol consumption can also cause cancer.

Unfortunately, Alcohol Use Disorder is an extremely common issue in the U.S. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 28.9 million people ages 12 and older (10.2% in this age group) had Alcohol Use Disorder in the past year.[2]

According to this same survey, more men (16.8 million) than women (12 million) were addicted to alcohol, and the ethnic group that was most affected was the American Indian or Alaska Native people, as 11.6% of that population was addicted. However, 11% of the White population were addicted, as well as 9.6% of the Black population, which shows that alcohol addiction affects people across racial and ethnic boundaries.

We all know people who drink alcohol, and many people have a drink every now and then with dinner or when out with friends. Having a drink every now and then does not constitute alcohol abuse. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines heavy drinking as 15 or more drinks a week for men, or eight or more drinks a week for women.[3]

If you’re worried that you or a loved one might be abusing or addicted to alcohol, look for signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse. Below are some common signs:

• Having a high tolerance for alcohol.
• Drinking alcohol in unsafe situations.
• Giving up other activities to drink.
• Failing to meet previous obligations (work, school, family) because of alcohol.
• Spending an inordinate amount of time or money obtaining alcohol or recovering from its effects (i.e., hangovers).
• Continuing to drink even when it’s clear that it is negatively impacting other areas of your life (work, school, social life, family).

To diagnose a person with alcohol addiction, or Alcohol Use Disorder, a doctor would ask questions about the patient’s use of alcohol, do a physical exam, and potentially use an Alcohol Symptom Checklist to help them determine if a person’s alcohol use constitutes abuse.[4]

The DSM-5 lists 11 possible symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (some of which are paraphrased above), and the number of symptoms met determines the severity of the disorder. Having two or three symptoms is considered mild, having four or five is considered moderate, and having six or more is considered severe.

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder or alcohol addiction can include therapy, rehab, and medication.

Rehab and Therapy

Inpatient rehabilitation centers are often part of alcohol addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment can help patients deal with detox and withdrawal, if needed, as well as provide support as they learn new ways to cope without alcohol. Outpatient treatment centers are helpful for some patients as well.

Many people dealing with alcohol addiction can benefit from therapy, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT aims to change a person’s behavior by adjusting their thought patterns. Motivational enhancement therapy is also used; this is a short-term program focused more on positively reinforcing certain behaviors.

Family and group therapy sessions are also often a part of alcohol addiction treatment, as alcohol addiction affects everyone around the addict. Programs like AA (for addicts) and Al-Anon (for family members) can be a crucial part of the ongoing management and treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder.

Medication

In some cases, medications like Naltrexone, Acamprosate, or Disulfiram are warranted. These medications can help people avoid heavy drinking and maintain abstinence from alcohol. Medication and therapy are often used in conjunction.