The iconic American author Ralph Waldo Emerson famously wrote, “In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed.” This is also true when it comes to getting treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). The negative effects of alcohol on the body happen much quicker than many people may realize. The good news is there are many effective means, methods, and modalities for recovery.
The Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder in the U.S.
AUD remains a serious and prevalent issue in the U.S. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “28.9 million people ages 12 and older (10.2% in this age group) had AUD in the past year. This includes 16.8 million males ages 12 and older (12.1% in this age group),” and “12.0 million females ages 12 and older (8.3% in this age group).”
However, many people who struggle with AUD are also apprehensive about seeking treatment because they are either in denial about having a problem or they may not be aware of how serious of a problem they are dealing with. This is why getting to know the signs and symptoms of AUD can be so crucial. It can help an individual get the help they need before the situation gets worse. The reality is that, with AUD, the situation can almost always get worse.
The Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
While struggles like AUD often manifest in different ways for different people, there are more universal signs and symptoms that tend to affect most people. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Experiencing physical ailments that cannot be explained by other factors
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating from family and friends
- Being preoccupied with when and where the next drink is coming from
- Not being able to stop drinking once started
- Feeling excessively anxious, worried, or nervous
- Experiencing feelings of loneliness, sadness, and hopelessness
- Having consequences manifest at work or school
- Experiencing otherwise unexplained mood swings
- Having suicidal ideations
As one can see, these symptoms can be very severe. This includes the severity of bodily harm brought about by excessive alcohol use. These are both internal and external harms.
The Specific Effects of Alcohol on the Body
AUD can cause a broad spectrum of physical issues. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Alcohol Research & Health, “Alcohol consumption, particularly heavier drinking, is an important risk factor for many health problems and, thus, is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. In fact, alcohol is a necessary underlying cause of more than 30 conditions and a contributing factor to many more. The most common disease categories that are entirely or partly caused by alcohol consumption include infectious diseases, cancer, diabetes, neuropsychiatric diseases (including alcohol use disorders), cardiovascular disease, liver and pancreas disease, and unintentional and intentional injury.”
It is also important to note that there are many health factors that can occur as a secondary result of excessive alcohol consumption. This includes the high prevalence of alcohol-related car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes – that’s one person every 39 minutes. In 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. These deaths were all preventable.” The good news is there are many effective means, methods, and modalities for recovering from AUD.
How to Best Heal From the Effects of Alcohol on the Body
The best way to heal from AUD is to take a multi-angled approach. This includes utilizing treatments like psychotherapy, experiential therapy, and holistic healing methods. One of the most effective (and most often used) therapies for AUD is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT can be particularly helpful for healing AUD because it is client-centered, gets to the underlying issues of addiction, and focuses on “symptom reduction.” According to the peer-reviewed journal, Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Consistent with the medical model of psychiatry, the overall goal of [CBT] treatment is symptom reduction, improvement in functioning, and remission of the disorder. In order to achieve this goal, the patient becomes an active participant in a collaborative problem-solving process to test and challenge the validity of maladaptive cognitions and to modify maladaptive behavioral patterns.”
Healing Mind, Body, and Spirit at Lantana Recovery
When it comes to long-term success, we here at Lantana Recovery understand the importance of whole mind-body-spirit healing at the cellular level. This is why we only offer comprehensive and individualized recovery plans that always have a focus on the future.
Ralph Waldo Emerson also said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” We are enthusiastic to help you recover. Yes, we are enthusiastic to help you achieve the life you have always desired and have always deserved.
Many people would be surprised to discover all of the physical damage that alcohol can have on the body. These include both external and internal issues. The good news is that many people also don’t realize just how quickly the body can often “bounce back” in recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this alone. For more information regarding treatment means, methods, and modalities for alcohol use disorder (AUD), please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
