Overcoming Alcoholism: What To Expect

Alcohol is everywhere. Over half of the American adult population regularly enjoys alcoholic beverages, and almost everyone sees alcohol as a normal part of life. Think about it — a glass of wine at dinner, beer to relax with your friends, champagne to celebrate something, cocktails at a wild party and spirits to relax before bed. That sounds perfectly acceptable, doesn't it?

What image does your mind conjure up when you hear the word "addict"? Chances are that you'll think about someone who hides their addiction, can't hold down a job, doesn't wash regularly and frequently even steals to maintain their habit. Maybe you'll think of heroin, ecstasy, crack, or meth — substances that are both illegal and socially unacceptable. 

Slipping into an alcohol addiction is easy, and people who think you're merely enjoying a social drink will not try to stop you. Getting out of it is tough for the very same reason. Moving out of the neighborhood and getting away from your bad crowd won't liberate an alcoholic from the burden of seeing drink every day. 

How do you quit or help a loved one become sober? What can you expect from the withdrawal process?

Alcoholism In The DSM-5

The most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM) terms what is commonly known as alcoholism "Alcohol Use Disorder" (AUD). There are 11 diagnostic criteria, and anyone meeting two or more of them over one 12 month period qualifies for the diagnosis of AUD. The disorder is, however, broken down into mild, moderate or severe, depending on how many criteria are met. 

The alcoholism diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5 are:

• Alcohol use in larger amounts or over longer periods of time than intended
• A persistent desire, or unsuccessful attempts, to cut down on alcohol or to control its use
• Cravings for alcohol
• Alcohol use that interferes with the person's normal responsibilities (work, school, home)
• Alcohol use that is continued even when social or interpersonal problems result
• Important activities are given up or reduced due to alcohol abuse
• Alcohol use in situations in which it is hazardous
• The continuation of alcohol use despite known alcohol-induced physical or mental problems
• Needing more alcohol with time, or not getting the same effects from the same amount (tolerance)
• Withdrawal symptoms after alcohol cessation, or continued use to avoid withdrawal symptoms

Saying No To The Drink

Most alcoholics start off as normal social drinkers, who gradually grow to be increasingly dependent on alcohol. With the gradual nature of an alcohol addiction comes the "convenient" option of denial. Denying the existence of a problem is even more possible because alcohol consumption is socially acceptable. 

Alcoholics who look at the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5 may think these things do not really apply to them. They may simply believe that they can control their use of alcohol, that they are merely using it to cope with stressful situations, that they are just having a good time, or that their alcohol habit does not interfere with their lives. 

See Also: The best approach to alcoholism recovery

Some alcoholics benefit from analyzing the impact alcohol is having on their lives honestly. They can ask themselves what alcohol is doing to their health, their family and friends, their job, and their brain. Then, they can look into the benefits of quitting. These may include better health, saving money, and improved social contacts. Alcoholics who are committed to becoming sober should also examine their underlying reasons for turning to drink in the first place, and promise themselves to seek counseling regarding those issues. 

Practical Tips To Sober Up

Can You Quit Alcohol On Your Own?

Many people don't realize that an alcoholic who quits drinking goes through a withdrawal process, just as those addicted to heroin and other heavy drugs do. The symptoms vary from unpleasant to medically dangerous. This is something every person who is committed to becoming sober should realize before deciding they are up to quitting on their own.

The symptoms and individual with experience following alcohol cessation vary individually, and depend on the amount of alcohol they used, the length of their addiction, and their general health. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can include headaches, nausea and vomiting, shaking, sweating, mood swings and anxiety.

Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that is dangerous and even life-threatening. To give you a taste of what that can be like, here are the symptoms:

• Severe vomiting
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• A high degree of agitation
• Seizures

The possibility of delirium tremens, which changes the manner in which the brain deals with circulation and breathing, is the primary physical reason to think seriously before attempting to kick alcoholism on your own. We'd recommend that every alcoholic who is ready to begin recovery sees their family doctor before going through withdrawal. 

In cases where medical supervision of alcohol detoxification is recommended, an alcohol treatment facility isn't always the only option — outpatient treatment is a viable possibility for many, and hospitals are also venues in which some alcoholics go through detox. Medication may or may not enter into the process. 

If You Are Going It Alone

Those who are relatively sure they are able to go it alone, after consultation with a doctor, will still benefit from support. Alcohol-cessation support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, or simply the presence of supportive relatives and friends, can certainly make the difference between staying sober and returning to drink. 

Those who are going to quit cold turkey should remove all alcohol from their home and declare it a drink-free zone. Ask your friends and relatives to commit to not drinking in front of you, and tell everyone that you are going to be sober. Request help and support throughout the process, because you are going to need it. Avoid places where drink is readily available, and kick those who aren't supportive out of your life for now.

Find something else to engage in to keep temptation at bay. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will help you stay sane and healthy, and keeping busy will distract you.

See Also: Alcohol Addiction: Ten Ways To Stop Drinking So Much

You can do it! Alcohol will always be your weakness — and you will always be an addict. You can stay sober, however. Yet, finding that staying away from your addiction is too much to handle all by yourself is not equal to admitting defeat. There is absolutely no shame in seeking medical help when the physical or emotional symptoms of recovery prove too much for you.