Categoria: Sober living

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol use, it’s helpful to understand the differences between terminology like alcoholism and AUD. Knowing the difference between AUD and alcoholism can help you find the right treatment for a successful recovery. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is now the clinically accepted term used by doctors and mental health professionals. We invite healthcare professionals https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/warning-signs-of-drug-use-and-addiction/ including physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, and psychologists to complete a post-test after reviewing this article to earn FREE continuing education (CME/CE) credit. This CME/CE credit opportunity is jointly provided by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and NIAAA. Boca Recovery Center is here to provide the best quality care in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction.

With more than 15,000 treatment centers in the United States alone, there are a variety of options for those living with alcoholism, from alcohol detox to online rehabs and teletherapy. Finding a community of your peers who are also trying to get sober can help provide support during early recovery. When it comes to the bottom line as it relates to alcohol consumption and brain health, the data are rather solid on some fronts, and a bit less so on others. There’s also the potential for confounding variables, including the fact that many people like to drink alcohol to enjoy and enhance social bonds (which we know are beneficial for the brain). Binge drinking and heavy alcohol use can increase an individual’s risk of alcohol use disorder. Being without alcohol for any period of time can make you feel physically ill.

What Are the Types of Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder?

After completing treatment for AUD, it’s possible to have a risk of relapse. It’s important to recognize warning signs and seek help if you’re concerned about having a relapse. For some people, alcohol misuse results from psychological or social factors. Others use alcohol to cope with psychological issues or stress in their daily lives.

Symptoms of withdrawal include headaches, nausea, tremors, and in severe cases, hallucinations and seizures. In order to be diagnosed with AUD, a person must experience any two of these symptoms within the same 12-month period. Today, we know that the symptoms of alcoholism can vary from one person to the next. Because the condition is progressive, these symptoms may increase over time in terms of the number of symptoms, their severity, and their impact. Someone who abuses alcohol will not necessarily develop a tolerance. “Building up a tolerance” means that you need to drink more and more to feel the effects.

Is Alcohol Abuse the Same as Alcohol Dependence?

But unlike most food products, in the last century, alcohol has been wrapped up in nearly perpetual controversy over its moral effects and health implications. You experience intense cravings to drink alcohol, what is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism and find yourself unable to stop drinking even when you want to. Our team of addiction medicine experts are compassionate and committed to making addiction treatment accessible, understandable, and affordable.

Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. If you think you’re struggling with an alcohol use disorder and want professional help, call The Recovery Village. Our helpful representatives can discuss your situation with you, explain your treatment options, and get you started on the path to lifelong recovery.

Understanding The Difference Between Alcohol Use and Alcoholism

Alcohol misuse or abuse can lead to alcohol use disorder, a condition difficult to overcome without proper help, support, and treatment. With time, this means they increase the overall amount they drink in each instance and over a period of time. As drinking becomes a pattern, it may take greater and greater amounts of alcohol to produce the same effects. Tolerance is often one of the driving factors of alcohol addiction. People may try to overcome their tolerance whenever they drink by consuming more alcohol.

Alcohol abuse is any consistent or constant dangerous or problematic behavior with respect to drinking or alcohol use. A person may drink off and on, but that does not mean they suffer from this condition. Alcohol abusers are constantly experiencing issues related to their drinking. You may have AUD if you continue to drink despite any physical, emotional, and social consequences you experience.

Detox helps with removing alcohol from the body, helping to free you from physical and emotional discomfort that can provide barriers to your success. With professional treatment that addresses both the physical and psychological impact of alcohol abuse, those struggling with addiction can achieve and maintain the sobriety they seek. At Valley Hope, we have treated hundreds of thousands of patients with compassionate, evidence-based addiction treatment that is customized to meet your medical and mental health needs. We are here to work with you on building a successful, fulfilling path to lifelong recovery.

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For those who require a more immersive recovery experience, we deliver more intensive outpatient treatment – IOPs and PHPs, for instance. The ability to engage fully in meaningful activities, pursue passions, and build a positive future is enhanced without the limitations of addiction. Making the decision to give up an addiction may seem like a simple act to those who have never struggled with the issue. The truth is that sobriety is a process that, for those who follow the path, will last a lifetime. The great news is that by enduring and eventually embracing the process, you will also have a life.

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Some are structured in programs, such as the 12-step approach used by Alcoholics Anonymous and similar addiction recovery programs. There are common setbacks to getting and staying sober like withdrawal, craving, and pressure to use. Relapse rates for substance use addictions are around 40% to 60%. Setbacks don’t erase progress, though, and they don’t mean you’ve “failed” to stay sober.

• Loving and encouraging family and friends can definitely help support your journey to become sober.
• There are many things that can affect your sleep—physically and mentally.
• Addiction is not just a chronic brain disease — it is a family disease.
• These mechanisms and habits will be different for each person, so it’s important to figure out what works for you.
• Then, they don’t have to learn how to love themselves because they’re covering their feelings rather than dealing with them.
• Recovery from a substance use disorder or addiction is rarely an easy path.

Your relationships.

• Aftercare programs make it easier to remain in recovery and avoid returning to substance use.
• Even if you’ve been clean and sober for some time, hardships in life can lead you back to a spot where you wonder if you will relapse.
• Call a friend or family member to talk through what you’re going through, or reach out to your doctor or therapist.

Give us a call today to verify your insurance coverage or to learn more about paying for addiction treatment. If you have wondering, “Should I go sober”, beginning this journey can be life-changing but challenging. As individuals grapple with the decision to abstain from substances, they may find themselves questioning why being sober is better.

Sober Strategies Playbook: Tips for Staying Sober

If you find it difficult to make new, sober friends, try joining a support group. Your loved ones can play an integral role in your road to recovery. Some family members may be unaware that they were contributing to your previous alcohol abuse while others may want to help, but reasons to stay sober are unsure of how. Gaining the support of your family and keeping them aware of how they can help you is one of the most important tips for staying sober. Establishing and continuing healthy family relationships can make all the difference when you may be in need of help.

As one drinks more over time, these disturbances get worse and become more difficult to reverse. By not drinking and using today you get to discover your purpose. Sobriety doesn’t mean that everything is going to go your way and that life is going to be perfect, but by staying sober today, you get to chart a new route and truly live. One of the core principles of a clean and sober life is to become a self-supporting adult by way of your own contributions. This doesn’t mean that you don’t ask for help if you need it, but the goal is to be responsible through your own efforts.

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• This enables individuals to express themselves more effectively and establish stronger connections with others.
• One study found that around 70% of participants had sleep problems when they were admitted for alcohol treatment.
• Taking steps to stay sober can help create a safer environment for everyone in your community.
• By embracing sobriety, you can (and will!) experience a range of health benefits that enhance your overall quality of life.

A licensed clinician uses this criteria—and more—to determine the likelihood and severity of a substance use disorder and formulate a treatment plan. The first step to getting sober is recognizing and admitting that you have https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcoholism-statistics-you-need-to-know/ a problem with drug or alcohol misuse. It’s difficult to admit that you have lost control over your substance use. This guide includes the steps required to fully support the path and the journey to addiction recovery.

The Positive Impact on Personal Relationships and Career

Reasons to Stay Sober: Why Sobriety is Worth It

If someone is worried about a panic attack, they can ask a doctor for more help. A doctor can explain short-term coping methods and long-term treatment options. By learning to manage or avoid their triggers, people may be able to reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks. Depending on the severity of panic attacks, a doctor may prescribe a “use-as-necessary” medication. A technique called progressive muscle relaxation is a popular, effective method for coping with anxiety and panic attacks. A mantra is a word, phrase, or sound that may help with focus and provide strength.

Why do some people feel more anxious after drinking than others?

Both conditions substantially increased the prospective relative risk for developing the other. Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that involves multiple unexpected panic attacks. A main feature of panic disorder is does alcohol cause panic attacks that the attacks usually happen without warning and aren’t due to another mental health or physical condition. Sometimes, people turn to alcohol or other substances to help them cope with symptoms of mental illness.

• In people assigned male at birth, alcohol consumption can decrease testosterone production and sperm quality.
• Every time you drink, alcohol triggers an increase in the production of insulin.
• If you experience sudden, intense anxiety and fear, it might be the symptoms of a panic attack.13 Other symptoms may include a racing heartbeat, or feeling faint, dizzy, lightheaded, or sick.
• Both conditions substantially increased the prospective relative risk for developing the other.

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• For the most part, these symptoms appeared without warning, and over time he began to develop an intense underlying sense of anticipatory apprehension related to the unpredictable and uncontrollable appearance of these spells.
• From a glass of wine with dinner to a night out with friends or a celebratory toast, alcohol consumption is deeply ingrained in many social practices and cultural traditions worldwide.
• A person may experience shortness of breath or hyperventilate and feel detached from reality.
• Fortunately, you don’t have to let panic attacks interfere with your chances of enjoying a successful recovery.
• However, while it is important to deal with panic attacks, it is also important to acknowledge the situation and the fear you feel.

Depending upon the severity and underlying causes of your panic attacks, you might also work with a healthcare professional to determine if you could benefit from prescription medications or talk therapy. Learning that you can cope with a panic attack without drinking is empowering, and your body will learn how to relax without alcohol coursing through your bloodstream. Drinking heavy amounts of alcohol regularly can also cause your body to become dependent upon the chemical reaction that occurs in your brain. When you stop drinking, the withdrawal symptoms are a result of your body continuing to crave the stimulation that alcohol once generated. While the initial withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, it helps to know that they will dissipate over time Quitting alcohol opens up new opportunities for you to live a healthier lifestyle that makes it easier to achieve your goals. Trying to quit alcohol on your own can sometimes lead to developing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that impact your physical and mental health.

• While small amounts of alcohol may activate GABA and cause you to relax, heavier drinking can sap GABA.
• If there’s no underlying physical cause, your provider may make a diagnosis according to your symptoms and risk factors.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol causes dehydration, which can make you feel dizzy and increase your heart rate.
• These effects are particularly visible the day after drinking when the hangover begins to set in.

Can alcohol cause anxiety and panic attacks?

• The notion of a simple, unidirectional, causal link between co-occurring disorders is not supported by the findings reviewed in this article.
• Our cases, to the best of our knowledge, are the first in the literature in which panic disorder has developed after the cessation of chronic alcohol abuse.

As you drink alcohol, it acts as a sedative which can make you feel more at ease. This can be dangerously addictive if you have frequent anxious thoughts. This type of self-medication can lead to alcohol dependency and may result in regular, alcohol-induced panic attacks.

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Another well-known fact is that exercise can also enhance your cognitive abilities. You don’t have to spend much time on this; just 20 minutes of aerobic work every day will do the trick. This can include activities like brisk walking, swimming, running, or cycling. Being dehydrated by as little https://edutechinsider.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ as 2 percent may impair a person’s ability to perform tasks that involve attention, memory, and motor skills. A person’s brain determines how they experience the world around them. The brain weighs about 3 pounds and contains around 100 billion neurons — cells that carry information.

What Is the Standard Treatment for Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome?

Although these two disorders share similarities involving memory and cognitive problems, people with early to moderate stage Korsakoff syndrome can still socialize and perform basic daily tasks. It is possible to have a normal conversation with someone with Korsakoff syndrome, but that person will probably not remember the conversation an hour or two later. Wet brain syndrome consists of the severe, short-lived Wernicke encephalopathy symptoms and the more debilitating, longer-lasting Korsakoff syndrome symptoms. Wernicke encephalopathy is specifically caused by a thiamine deficiency. A recent study conducted over 10 years found that people who used brain training exercises reduced the risk of dementia by 29 percent.

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• What’s more is that it often leaves you in a bad mood, which can negatively affect your friends and family members.
• Every cell in the body needs vitamin B1 (thiamine) in order to function.
• Some people have estimated it would cover an area the size of one to two pages of a newspaper.
• There can however be many factors that can contribute to cognitive and physical fatigue, so it’s extremely worthwhile getting a check-up.
• Genetics, preexisting conditions, and other factors help determine whether an alcoholic eventually develops this mush brain disease.
• Wet brain can progress in a specific pattern, or both Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s syndrome can develop together.

When you are super-busy and run down, seeing a doctor may seem like the last thing you have time for. There can however be many factors that can contribute to cognitive and physical fatigue, so it’s extremely worthwhile getting a check-up. Your GP can provide advice on how to restore Sober House your health and may also to refer you to a sleep specialist, dietician, psychologist or other specialist for additional support. When we normalise working this way and feeling this way, we put ourselves at great risk of experiencing serious mental and physical health problems.

Signs and Symptoms of Wet Brain

Even simple doodling can offer brain benefits by activating the brain’s default mode network, which allows your brain to briefly unfocus. Research from 2015 suggests art forms such as drawing and painting directly benefit your brain by enhancing creativity and improving cognitive abilities. You might use art to sort through and express emotions, share personal experiences, or get deeper insight on personal struggles, for example. If you exercise with someone else or in a larger group, you’ll probably see some social benefits too. Even listening to music more regularly can help increase brain neuroplasticity. Online tutorials can help you get started, especially if you don’t want to splurge on lessons.

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• This is especially true if the person is addicted to alcohol or physically dependent on it, which can be difficult for friends and family members to accept.
• You’ve probably observed that when you feel anxious, your thinking center may shrink to the size of a pinto bean.
• The 24/7 hotline will connect you with mental health resources in your area.
• Jocko Willink is a retired Navy SEAL officer who spent 20 years in the U.S.

The best process for most people is to get professional help to safely detox from alcohol and then progress into a complete rehabilitation program. Even if a person is diagnosed with wet brain, it may still be very difficult for them to abstain from consuming alcohol. This is especially true if the person is addicted to alcohol or physically dependent on it, which can be difficult for friends and family members to accept. It’s important to remember, however, that alcohol addiction is a chronic and powerful disease and the way an alcoholic behaves won’t always make sense to loved ones. The best way to find out if you have wet brain or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is to see a doctor.

• In one 2012 study, researchers looked at 10 exchange students who were native English speakers studying German in Switzerland.
• “Mush brain,” “mush brain alcohol” and “wet brain” are unfamiliar terms to many people.
• Neuralink’s clinical trial is called PRIME — for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface.

Besides, judging someone for not drinking alcohol is stupid, and you don’t need to be cool with that person anyway. You’re not obligated to drink just to make others feel good about their drinking. This is the hard part, but it’s also the most rewarding. When you do start to deal with your problems in healthier ways (and you will), you are going to feel completely transformed and unstoppable. You will have strong days when you feel like you can take on the world.

Similarly, there are many people who drink and use drugs because they feel more fun, daring, likable, and interesting when under the influence. Removing the thing that they believe gives them more charisma or self-confidence around other people can trigger the very real fear of being sober worry that they won’t like their sober self. Finding happiness in sobriety is a process that takes time but is totally achievable with the right daily supports, priorities, and commitments. They can help motivate a person to remain sober to reach the next milestone.

Sobriety and Weight Loss – Can Sobriety Help You Lose Weight?

In fact, sobriety can help you to learn new and healthier ways to deal with difficult situations. The stress-induced mechanisms that cause our brain to produce feelings of fear in the absence of threats have been mostly a mystery. Their research, published in the journal Science on March 15, 2024, provides new insights into how fear responses could be prevented.

And don’t worry, your tastes and style are not actually tied to drugs. You’ll find your way, and you’ll be even more you without substances controlling your mind. If these concerns resonate with you, remember that sobriety doesn’t happen overnight—even if you try to rush it. Give yourself time to discover the new sober you.

“I Am Afraid I will Actually Feel Something”

When you take that away, even when you know it is for the best, you are opening the door to all types of risks. And, to be frank, many times that reality is downright hard to swallow. Some people are afraid of recovery because so much of their identity is their addiction. It can be extremely difficult to imagine a life without drugs and alcohol and the idea of being happy without substances seems impossible or unimportant. Sobriety is a general term for staying away from mood- and mind-altering substances, though there is no commonly agreed-upon medical definition in terms of what sobriety means. People in recovery generally agree that abstinence is necessary but remains just a starting point for a new, sober life.

However, you should embrace this as a positive sign that you are on the right track. Being clean and sober means avoiding the temptations that come with certain people, places, and things. After you have been through treatment and are in recovery, you may realize that they were not really your friends anyway. True friends do not enable each other to poison their existence in an endless cycle of drinking and drugs. You will be making new friends in treatment and recovery, as well as through your support group meetings and new activities you will now start to enjoy. NuView Treatment Center is a top leading Los Angeles outpatient alcohol and drug rehab program.

Sobriety Fear #9: You won’t be able to handle your feelings without alcohol.

If you’re scared of becoming sober because you’re afraid of change, it’s important to remember that change is a necessary part of recovery. Without change, you won’t be able to achieve sobriety. If you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, you’ve likely used them to cope with difficult situations in your life. However, sobriety doesn’t mean you won’t be able to cope with life’s challenges.

You will be surprised at how much courage you have inside you. The first step is to admit you have a problem with alcohol or drugs and then genuinely commit to seeking treatment. Each person has sufficient bravery in their DNA to handle such a challenge. But many people use the excuse that they are cowards just so they can keep on using the substances. If you truly want to live a clean and sober life, you are already ahead of the game.