Alcohol Use Disorder

What is alcohol use disorder?

Alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism, is a specific type of addiction — a brain disorder characterized by the compulsive use of a substance despite increasingly dangerous consequences. If you have alcoholism, you are drinking more alcohol, more often than is recommended, and your thoughts and behaviors are focused on getting your next drink.

If you’re not sure if you have an alcohol use disorder, ask yourself some of the following questions:

• Have you had occasions where you’ve drunk more than you intended?
• Have you wanted to cut back or stop drinking, but couldn’t?
• Have you experienced intense cravings or a need to have a drink?
• Have you continued to drink even if it’s caused problems at work, home, or with your friends?
• Have you had withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, shakiness, and irritability?

If you’ve answered yes to these questions, you may have an addiction to alcohol and should talk to the team at The Transformation Center about how to improve your health and wellness and recover from your alcohol use disorder.

How does alcohol affect my body?

Alcoholism can cause significant changes to your brain function, compromising the areas of your brain responsible for mood, decision-making, coordination, and impulse control. Alcohol misuse over taxes your heart, liver, and pancreas and is linked to an increased risk of cancer as well as a weakened immune system.

Additionally, alcoholism causes social problems, including poor performance at work or school, damaged relationships, and dangerous behaviors that can put you and others at risk.

How is alcohol use disorder treated?

The compassionate team at The Transformation Center understands the complexity of addiction and that recovery takes time. 

They offer a combination of therapies through their Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and their Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). They can help you detox from alcoholism through medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and may suggest other treatments such as:

• 12-step program
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Yoga

The Transformation Center offers resources to not only those struggling from alcoholism, but also for their families and loved ones. Their treatment programs provide the tools you need to overcome alcohol use disorder and find happiness and peace in your life. 

When you’re ready to recover from alcohol use disorder, call the team at The Transformation Center or request a consultation online today.