*This page medically reviewed Dr Robert Lefever, world-renowned addiction treatment expert, 09/04/21*
If you feel like you may have an alcohol addiction, you’re not alone. In England, there are over 602,000 people who are dependent on alcohol. However, only 18% of them are receiving treatment. [i]
At Help4Addiction, we can help you get your alcohol consumption under control and break free of the addiction for good, aiming to prevent relapse.
Knowing about alcohol addiction and the alcohol addiction detox process is the first step to controlling your drinking – so read on to learn more about alcohol addiction and the alcohol detox process, including alcohol withdrawal and alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
At Help4Addiction, we don’t want you to be in the 82% that aren’t receiving treatment. To take control of your life, contact us today to learn about alcohol detox and alcohol rehab clinics, and for professional treatment advice from a certified addiction professional.
What is Alcohol Addiction?
Addiction is characterised by the lack of control over taking, doing, or using something – to the point where it could be damaging your mental and physical health as well as your lifestyle. Although addiction is often associated with gambling, drugs, and smoking, alcohol is also an addictive substance. [ii]
Alcohol addiction, known as alcohol use disorder (AUD) in professional environments, refers to the inability or difficulty in stopping or controlling alcohol use. People with AUD will typically drink despite the negative health, social, and occupational consequences. The disorder includes aspects of alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, and alcohol dependence – and is considered a brain disorder. [iii]
There are a variety of factors that can increase the chances of you becoming addicted to alcohol. For example, genetics and family history. There is an abundance of evidence that suggests that alcoholism can be genetic, due to variations in genes – for example, ADH1B and ALDH2. [iv]
Drinking under the age of 15 could also be a risk factor for alcoholism – it could lead to you being four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence in your lifetime. [v] As well as this, stress can also be a risk factor for alcoholism. [vi] This can include early life stressors as well as cumulative life stressors, or a combination of both. High anxiety levels can result in the urge to drink alcohol to relieve the feelings of stress and anxiety.
Frequent drinking can also be a risk factor for alcohol addiction – if you have a habit of binge drinking or drink over the recommended amount, you may be at more risk of developing alcohol dependence. [vii]
What Are The Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction?
There are many signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction. If you recognise any of the following, contact our friendly team today to find your local treatment centre and to discuss how we can help you.
Here are some of the key signs of alcohol dependence:
- Not feeling the same effect after drinking the same amount
- Finding it hard to stop drinking despite wanting to
- Alcohol cravings
- Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Drinking more alcohol than usual
- Still drinking despite negative consequences
- Difficulty controlling the amount you drink and when you drink
- Drinking has become one of the most important things in your life [viii]
These aren’t the only signs of alcohol addiction, but these symptoms often present in those with alcohol dependence.
Alcohol Withdrawal And Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
If you’re a heavy drinker, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you lower the amount you drink or you stop drinking altogether. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous and are a clear warning sign that you’re drinking too much.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are part of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can occur when you’re dependent on alcohol and you stop drinking. [ix]
The more you drink, the higher the chances of you experiencing alcohol withdrawal syndrome – which is why it’s recommended that you drink no more than 14 units per week. [x] If you feel like you’re exceeding this amount or you’re experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms and you’re struggling to stop drinking alone, we can help at Help4Addiction.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Some signs that you may be going through alcohol withdrawal and experiencing alcohol withdrawal syndrome may include mild withdrawal symptoms and severe symptoms such as:
- Mental health issues such as depression and/ or anxiety
- Irritability
- Tiredness/ fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Changes in appetite
- Sweating
- Headaches
Some people may experience severe withdrawal symptoms, with symptoms such as a fever, agitation, hallucinations, confusion, and even seizures. [xi] Severe withdrawal symptoms can be debilitating – which is why many people choose to detox from alcohol and complete alcohol rehab in treatment centres.
However, it should be noted that not everybody will experience physical withdrawal symptoms and mental withdrawal symptoms/ psychological withdrawal symptoms – although it is more common in heavy drinkers.
Withdrawal symptoms don’t always present immediately – you may notice withdrawal symptoms on the second third day after your last drink, lasting around a week.
Signs That You Need Alcohol Detox
Alcohol addiction can be debilitating and can have negative physical and mental effects on yourself. However, it can also be harmful to the people around you. This includes your family and loved ones – including your children and your partner/ spouse. [xii] If you are dependent on alcohol and alcohol is taking over your life, then you most likely have a problem. Heavy drinking doesn’t always indicate an addiction, but if you feel out of control, then it’s best to get help.
If somebody you know is dependent on alcohol and is facing difficulties in their life due to their drinking – then they may have a drinking problem. Read on to learn how alcohol rehab can help you or your loved one.
The Help4Addiction Rehab Clinic Process
At Help4Addiction, we can find you the perfect rehabilitation clinic and treatments for you or your loved one, whether it be at a residential rehab centre or an outpatient clinic.
The first stage of the rehab process usually includes completing alcohol detoxification – contact us to see if you can partake in our alcohol home detox kit.
Upon completing the alcohol detox, you’ll receive mental health support and therapy – your rehab centre of choice will provide you with consultant psychiatrists and qualified therapists. Depending on the rehab centre, you may also be offered holistic therapies and recreational facilities. These are common in private rehab centres as well as residential services. Read on for more detail about the Help4Addiction rehab clinic process.
Detox
A detox (aka detoxification) is the process of weaning from a substance in an effective and controlled environment, typically by tapering the substance or by substituting it with a less damaging alternative. [xiii]
A safe and effective detox will minimise the negative withdrawal symptoms, preventing complications and streamlining the detox process.
This is the first stage of alcohol addiction treatment – and it can be difficult as alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable. During this stage of alcohol rehab, all access to alcohol will be cut off, allowing your body to free itself from alcohol dependency.
You may be provided with alcohol addiction medication to help you manage the unpleasant alcohol withdrawal symptoms and to reduce alcohol cravings. This process usually lasts around two weeks, but this can depend on your age, weight, and your typical alcohol drinking habits and drinking history. [xiv]
Many people prefer to safely detox on an inpatient basis in a residential rehab facility, especially when it comes to serious withdrawal symptoms.
Therapy
Upon successfully completing the detox phase, you’ll undergo alcohol addiction therapy. Depending on the treatment facility you choose and the nature of your addiction, you’ll be offered alcohol counselling and group sessions to help you overcome your alcohol addiction.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is widely offered. CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, and actions are linked – and understanding more about your thoughts and feelings can help you control and understand your actions. [xv] CBT can be effective when it comes to understanding your triggers, which can help you prevent relapses in the future.
Secondary Treatment
Upon completing rehab, you may want to continue secondary treatment or aftercare. This usually involves attending outpatient centres as well as attending support groups. Once you’ve been discharged, we won’t just wave goodbye – we know stopping drinking can involve a long recovery process, and we will support you throughout your recovery.
Be sure to contact us to find a treatment provider today, whether it be for alcohol addiction or other substance abuse. We can help you with cocaine rehab, heroin rehab, cannabis rehab, and many more. Have a chat with us to discuss the best treatment providers for you, whether you have a specific treatment provider in mind or a specific treatment centre.
[i] https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-statistics
[ii] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/addiction-what-is-it/
[iii] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder
[iv] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4056340/
[v] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17207104/
[vi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3860387/
[viii] https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/alcohol/dependence/signs-and-patterns.html
[x] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/calculating-alcohol-units/
[xi] https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/alcohol/dependence/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms.html
[xiii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4085800/
Frequently Asked Questions
What does alcohol detox feel like?
Going through alcohol detox can feel terrible. Your body is used to processing large amounts of alcohol in a day when you routinely abuse alcohol. The more often your drink, the more your body has to purge it. When you then take the substance away, your brain and body are so used to processing it that they start to protest that something has gone wrong. They send signals that you are unwell, usually because the chemicals you would normally burn up processing the alcohol aren’t being used.
Your body will take time to return to normal and while it does this, you can expect to feel these symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. You might feel nauseous, dizzy, or have aches and pains. If you drank heavily for a prolonged period of time, you could even suffer from delirium or cardiac arrest. You should always seek medical help before deciding to quit drinking for good, to avoid the worst medical reactions.
