Alcohol addiction is an addiction that is difficult to get out of. Every person is unique, and it is difficult to anticipate whether somebody will develop an addiction. But when you become one, you will need extreme support from others like your family, friends, or acquaintances. A psychiatrist for alcohol addiction can also offer great assistance in recovery from the same.
Who Is An Alcohol Addiction Psychiatrist?
Someone who has a specialty in psychiatry is referred to as addictions psychiatry. These experts have gone through rigorous training and qualifications in addiction treatment. They have extensive knowledge about every type of addiction treatment. A majority of people seeking addiction treatment may see a psychiatrist at some point. They may pay a visit either before admission to the medical facility or during their stay.
Understanding Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol use disorder is a medical illness wherein a person is unable to stop or limit consumption of alcohol even after the negative social or occupational consequences. It encompasses the conditions known as alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and alcohol addiction.
Alcohol use disorder is a neurological condition that can range from mild to severe symptoms. Addiction may be a cause of an array of physiologic, genetic, environmental, psychological, and societal factors. Somebody’s chance of acquiring an alcohol use disorder is three to four times higher if one of their parents is an alcoholic.
Children of those suffering from this problem are more likely to struggle with alcohol. But, many children of people with alcohol use disorder or dependent issues don’t.
How Does Alcohol Affect Health?
Over-drinking at a time or every day can lead to a significant impact on your overall health. It may even cause:
- Digestive problems like stomach ulcers and inflammation of the stomach lining.
- Heart ailments like stroke, heart failure, or an enlarged heart.
- Birth defects
- Eye problems, which include paralysis of the eye muscles
- Risk of certain cancers like colon, mouth, liver, and throat cancers.
- Neurological complications like pain in hands and feet, dementia, and disordered thinking
Risk Factors Of Alcohol Addiction
Teenage is the time when alcohol use may start. But people can also start drinking in their 20s or 30s, as well. Using alcohol at an early age is one of the risk factors for addiction. The other risk factors can be:
A Family History
For those having a family history of alcoholism, there are higher chances of alcohol addiction. This means that they may have a parent or any other relative who has a drinking problem. Genetics also plays a role in this case.
Binge Drinking
When you drink alcohol in excess every day for a long time or do binge drinking, you may have an alcohol-related problem.
Depression
Those who are struggling with a mental illness like depression are likely to use alcohol excessively. Thus, it may result in an addiction.
Social And Cultural Factors
If you have friends or a spouse who drink daily, then you have a higher chance of becoming an alcohol addict. You may believe that it is okay to drink, but it is ultimately a problematic scenario.
History Of Trauma
A history of trauma is another factor that may raise the chances of alcohol use disorder or alcohol addiction. The traumatic situation can be an accident or an unforeseen death of a loved one.
Symptoms Of Alcohol Addiction
How do you know that you have become an addict and you are prioritizing alcohol over anything else? A medical professional will be able to precisely diagnose your condition and signs. You are having an alcohol addiction if you are:
- Drinking in excess amounts and for more extended periods than before.
- Craving a strong urge to drink alcohol.
- Constantly drinking even after knowing your problem.
- Spending more time doing activities necessary to drink or obtain alcohol.
- Drinking in circumstances wherein it’s physically harmful to do so.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and tremors.
Also Read: What Is Addiction Psychiatry? Why Do You Need Addiction Treatment?
Drinking Patterns
When you have become addicted to alcohol or drinking, you may also experience differences in your drinking patterns. Those having an addiction may drink early in the morning, a lot of time during the day, or every evening.
If you stop drinking for a few weeks or a month, there are chances you may lose control when you resume drinking.
When To See A Psychiatrist For Alcohol Addiction?
Those who want to control their alcohol consumption or have been diagnosed with alcohol abuse should see an alcohol addiction psychiatrist. There is also no need for a medical professional’s referral to visit an alcohol addiction psychiatrist. Though, most patients are referred by other professionals.
What Treatment Does An Addiction Psychiatrist Offer?
There are plentiful treatments a psychiatrist may suggest to patients undergoing alcohol addiction. Here are some of them:
Group Therapy And Counseling
For addiction, group therapy and counseling are among the most effective psychotherapy treatments. In group therapy, the patients talk about their condition with others who are struggling with the same. When they do so, they get to know that they aren’t alone in the journey of treating addiction. Thus, this type of therapy gives them helpful insights into how to successfully get rid of addiction.
Oral Medications
Oral medicines like mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants can help patients in recovering from addiction. This is especially true when the patient is having any mental health issues along with addiction.
The prescribed oral medicines are generally given to help in the recovery. They are not the major form of treatment.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy may be a one-on-one discussion with a therapist or in a small group. The therapy emphasizes recognizing the feelings and situations that contribute to alcohol consumption. It even emphasizes dealing with stress that causes relapse. The primary purpose is to change the pattern of thoughts that result in overconsumption of alcohol and learn how to handle daily situations.
Marital And Family Counseling
Marital and family counseling involves partners and other members of the family within the treatment. They have an integral part to play in the improvement of family relations. According to many reports, solid family support through family therapy raises the odds of sobriety maintenance. This is much more than those going through individual therapy.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
The therapists conduct this form of therapy after a while. The purpose is to build and strengthen motivation for changing the drinking habit. Forming a plan to make modifications to a person’s drinking, identifying the pros and cons of seeking treatment, and much more are there in this therapy. It even emphasizes raising confidence and developing how to adhere to the plan.
Reasons to Visit An Addiction Psychiatrist
There can be several reasons to see an addiction psychiatrist. A few of them are mentioned below:
- When you want to get a prescription for safe detoxification medicines (if required).
- When you want an accurate diagnosis of the condition.
- For legal reasons because of problems associated with the addiction
- For recognizing the conditions that lead to addiction, like depression
- Chronic pain, anxiety, eating disorders, or ADHD can also be the reasons.
How Much Time Does It Take To Recover From Alcohol Addiction
Recovery from an alcohol addiction is a personalized experience. Many factors impact the recovery period. For example, your medical history and the duration of time you’ve been drinking.
Some people may experience the worst withdrawal symptoms around the third day of their last drink. Also, some may experience withdrawal symptoms just after a couple of hours of their last drink.
Dealing with these symptoms is never easy, and many struggle during this phase. But there are specific ways that you can try to speed up the recovery process. Regular exercise during recovery is essential as it reduces stress, boosts mood, and gives extra energy. No need to hit the gym or join an aerobics class. Instead, do some yoga, play sports, cycle, or simply walk.
It will also be good if you follow a nutritious diet, which may be beneficial in detoxifying alcohol. You may be deficient in certain vitamins or minerals due to overconsumption of alcohol. So, prepare a diet chart with fruits, vegetables, whole-grain rice like brown rice, and grains like oats and millet. You must also add some protein that you can get from nuts, eggs, fish, and red meat.
Conclusion
People of any age may get addicted to some kind of substance like alcohol. They must consider going to an addiction psychiatrist if they are struggling to cope with their drinking habits. Those who are going through a trauma or any mental illness can also visit an addiction psychiatrist.
Are you searching for the best psychiatrist for alcohol addiction near me in Naperville? Then, get in touch with iCare Psychiatry Services without feeling hesitant. Our expert psychiatrist has years of extensive experience in helping patients suffering from addiction. To book an appointment with Rubabetu Abimbola, PMHNP-BC, a psychiatrist specializing in alcohol addiction, call at (331) 321-7220 or (833) 996-3301.