The best treatment plan depends on the individual’s severity of alcohol dependence, mental health conditions, and support system. Many benefit from a combination of detoxification, behavioral therapy, medication, and peer support. Seeking professional guidance helps create a personalized recovery plan that increases the likelihood of lasting success.
How can Greater Boston Addiction Centers help with alcohol addiction?
Heavy alcohol use can disturb the endocrine system, disrupting the hormones that help maintain the body’s stability and health. There is also evidence that alcohol can disrupt or delay puberty. If you don’t have alcohol dependence, you can stop drinking alcohol.
- If you’re considering detoxification from alcohol at home, it’s important to understand the risks and strategies for doing it safely.
- What causes alcoholism can be as simple as drinking too much over time.
- When a person consumes alcohol, it goes from their stomach and intestines to their bloodstream.
- If AUD is not treated, it can increase your risk for serious health problems.
- It takes some time for the body’s chemistry to readjust to functioning without alcohol.
Behavioral symptoms of excessive drinking
That’s one major reason why you should never drive after drinking. The pancreas helps regulate how your body uses insulin and responds to glucose. If your pancreas and liver don’t function properly due to pancreatitis or Halfway house liver disease, you could experience low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. But more recent research suggests there’s really no “safe” amount of alcohol since even moderate drinking can negatively impact brain health. Many people assume the occasional beer or glass of wine at mealtimes or special occasions doesn’t pose much cause for concern. But drinking any amount of alcohol can potentially lead to unwanted health consequences.
- This is why when people drink too much, their speech becomes slurred, and their reaction time diminishes.
- The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug.
- Stopping or reducing heavy alcohol use suddenly and without medical support can result in withdrawal syndrome.
- That’s one major reason why you should never drive after drinking.
- The following questions may be helpful in considering your relationship with alcohol use.
- Treatment of AUD focuses on relieving symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in the short term and then suppressing alcohol cravings in the long term.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Use

That’s because your body already has processes in place that allow it to store excess proteins, carbohydrates and fats. So, your system prioritizes getting rid of alcohol before it can turn its attention to its other work. And that’s on top of the toll that alcohol use can take on relationships, not to mention the potential for financial strain and legal troubles. You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.
Alcohol will quickly travel through the umbilical cord to the fetus. Since the fetus’s body chronic ethanol use is undeveloped, it cannot process the toxic substance properly. They will likely find complex tasks, like managing their finances, challenging.

Alcohol use disorder
Sana Lake addiction rehab in St. Louis is filled with people who know exactly what you’re going through. We’ll help you figure out what caused your alcoholism and get you back on track to a healthier life. Contact Sana Lake today for a free consultation, and learn how we can help you. If you’ve lost a loved one, gotten divorced or got fired from your job, you’re likely dealing with grief, pain and loss.