Alcohol is legal and affordable. Moreover, you can literally find it everywhere, from concerts and grocery stores to sporting events and restaurants. And because alcohol is widely accepted, it’s become one of the top abused substances. While many people addicted to alcohol are convinced they can stop drinking whenever they wish to, that’s not the case. Alcohol changes your brain function, making it difficult to quit drinking without expert help.

If you’re battling alcoholism, we can help. At Wolf Creek Recovery, we understand the struggles you’re facing and can provide the treatment you require to conquer your addiction and get on the path to lasting sobriety.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcohol addiction or AUD occurs when you have an uncontrollable urge to drink despite its negative consequences. As per the American Psychiatric Association, alcohol addiction is a mental health disorder as it causes lasting changes to the functioning of the brain. Various factors increase a person’s risk of alcohol addiction, including:

  • Past traumatic experiences
  • Co-occurring mental health disorders
  • Heavy drinking
  • Binge drinking
  • Family history of alcoholism
  • Genetics
  • Consuming alcohol when you’re younger than 15 years

Diagnosing Alcohol Addiction

To diagnose alcohol use disorder, you should have exhibited at least three of the following for the past year:

  • Persistence

Even when you know alcohol is impacting your life negatively, you still continue to drink.

  • Alcohol Tolerance

This is where you need more alcohol to feel drunk. But if your central nervous system is damaged, your tolerance can go down. Further, when your liver becomes damaged and is unable to properly metabolize alcohol, tolerance levels may reduce.

  • Drink More Than You Planned

Do you take more alcohol than you intended or over an extended period? This could be an indication of addiction.

Withdrawal Symptoms

When you stop drinking or consume less alcohol, you might experience anxiety, insomnia, nausea, or tremors.

  • Time Spent

Much of your time is spent getting alcohol, drinking, or recovering from taking too much alcohol.

  • You Can’t Reduce How Much You Drink

If you’ve tried to cut back on the amount you drink but you’re not able to, that could be one of the signs of addiction.

  • Withdrawal

This is where you prefer to isolate yourself from others and drink on your own. You no longer feel interested in participating in social or recreational activities.

Consequences of Alcohol Addiction

Chronic alcohol use rewires your brain chemistry, changing the reward pathways in the brain. As a result, your brain will have intense cravings for alcohol instead of the natural pleasure and rewards. The consequences of addiction are many, and they include:

  • Alcohol-related accidents
  • Social issues such as constantly getting into fights
  • Sexual assault
  • Legal problems such as drunk driving
  • Memory problems
  • Life long changes in the brain

Highly Individualized Alcohol Addiction

As a top-rated Prescott AZ alcohol rehab, you’ll find the compassionate care and evidence-based addiction treatment you need to completely turn your life around. Our multidisciplinary addiction treatment specialists understand that addiction affects everyone differently. That’s why we develop tailored treatment plans that will address your particular situation, help you beat your alcohol use disorder, and attain sustainable recovery. If you’re ready to take your first recovery step, call us today: (833) 732 8202.

Prescott AZ alcohol rehab

Wolf Creek Recovery

(833) 732-8202
600 E Gurley St Suite C

Prescott AZ 86301 US


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