Alcohol Use Disorder

What is an Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) sometimes referred to as Alcoholism (or alcohol dependence), is a psychiatric condition where an individual has difficulty controlling their alcohol use, even when it begins to affect their health, work, safety and/or personal relationships. When individuals with an alcohol use disorder drink, they tend to drink more than they intend to, and they tend to experience significant consequences from their alcohol use over time. Despite these consequences, plans to cut back on alcohol consumption are often unsuccessful, without treatment from a mental health professional such as a Psychiatrist. Alcohol Use Disorders often co-occur with other psychiatric difficulties (such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD or others), and it can be difficult to treat one condition, without fully understanding and treating the other(s).

Alcohol Abuse refers to an alcohol use disorder where an individual is not physiologically dependent on alcohol, but alcohol use is still a serious problem. Simply put, an individual does not have to drink every day, in order for alcohol to cause significant damage to a person’s relationships, occupational life, health, and even cause significant legal and financial problems. Binge drinking is a form of alcohol abuse.

Alcohol Dependence refers to an alcohol use disorder where an individual is physiologically dependent on alcohol. In addition to all of the risks associated with alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence can actually be deadly; many do not realize, but alcohol withdrawal is one of the most dangerous forms of withdrawal from any substance. If an individual drinks daily, they are at risk of withdrawal and should be under the supervision of a psychiatrist or other medical professional when they cut back and/or stop drinking.

How Common are Alcohol Use Disorders? 

Alcohol Use Disorder is common. Approximately 30% of adults will suffer from an alcohol use disorder at some point in their lifetime. About half of those individuals will experience severe illness, as defined by mental health professionals.

• About 30% of adults will suffer from an alcohol use disorder at some point in their lifetime.
• Men are more likely to suffer from an alcohol use disorder, than women.
• About 5% of individuals 12-17 suffer from an alcohol use disorder
• About 15% of individuals 18-29 suffer from an alcohol use disorder

When Should I reach out for Help with my Alcohol Use?

We strongly advise individuals to reach out for help with their drinking, if they experience any of the following.

• A pattern of drinking more than intended, or for longer periods of time than intended, when you drink.
• Continued drinking despite consequences from alcohol use affecting your relationships, academic life, occupational life or physical health.
• Repeated efforts to cut back on your drinking
• Frequently craving alcoholic beverages
• Spending excessive time obtaining alcohol, or recovering from hangovers caused by drinking.
• Failing to meet obligations due to your drinking
• High tolerance for beverages containing alcohol
• Having withdrawal symptoms, when not drinking (tremor, sweats, upset stomach, heart palpitations or anxiety, insomnia, others)
• Using alcohol in dangerous situations
• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Others

What Causes Alcohol Use Disorders?

Psychiatric providers will ask about your family history, as there is a genetic component to alcohol use disorders and alcoholism. This does not mean that everyone with a relative (even immediate) that has a drinking problem will develop one, nor does it mean that if you do not have a family history, you are immune. It simply means that if individuals in your family have a history of an alcohol use disorder, then you are at a higher risk than the general population of developing one yourself.

Having co-occurring mental health conditions (such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or ADHD) may put you at a higher risk for developing an alcohol use disorder. You have likely heard the expression that alcoholism is a symptom of a disease. While we now consider alcohol use disorders to be a disease themselves, it only makes sense that if someone is additionally suffering from the symptoms of another mental health disorder (particularly if it is untreated), it will only make it more difficult for that person to control their alcohol use disorder.

What are the Long-Term Consequences of Excessive Drinking?

Excessive Alcohol Use (whether it be alcohol abuse or dependence) can have significant negative consequences on one’s emotional, academic, occupational, financial and physical well-being. It additionally, and almost invariably, has severe consequences on the individual’s personal relationships.

Specific health consequences from excessive alcohol use can also include:

• Increased risk of Breast Cancer, Liver Cancer and other Cancers
• Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy (heart failure)
• Hypertension
• “Fatty Liver,” An inflamed liver(hepatitis), and cirrhosis of the liver.
• Cerebellar degeneration and neurological illness
• Increased risk of dementia
• Risk from alcohol withdrawal (which include seizure, delirium tremens, autonomic instability (unstable vital signs), and death if severe).

What Types of Treatment are Available for Alcohol Use Disorders?

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders should be tailored to the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment in psychiatry. Your treatment may include:

• Inpatient or Outpatient Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment and Detoxification
• Medication management for cravings, or to prevent alcohol use.
• Referral to 12-step or similar programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or group meetings for your substance use disorder.
• Psychotherapy with licensed therapists and psychologists.
• Evaluations, Medication Management and Psychotherapy for co-occurring mental health disorders and difficulties (such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or ADHD).
• Behavioral modifications: Recommendations regarding sleep hygiene, exercise, diet, social outlets and others, may be part of a patient’s treatment.

Do You Offer Both In-office and Virtual Online Psychiatric Appointments for Alcohol Use Disorders?

Yes, we offer both in-office and virtual online psychiatric appointments for the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders.

Why Choose Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates for my Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment?

The providers at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are academically oriented providers, most of whom teach, or have taught, at academic institutions. Our providers are Board Certified Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and we have several licensed and doctoral level therapists and psychologists. We are experienced in working with individuals who struggle with various psychiatric conditions, including Substance Use Disorders such as alcoholism.

• Fellowship Trained and Board Certified Addiction Specialist, Samantha Wyckoff, MD – recently named the Director of our Addiction Services.
• Additional Board Certified and Licensed Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners and Psychologists with training specifically in Alcohol Use Disorders & Addiction Treatment
• Academically Oriented providers, most of whom teach, or have taught, at local Academic Institutions, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital & The University of Pennsylvania.
• Appointments generally available within 2 weeks.
• In-office and online Virtual Appointments for the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders.
• Providers experienced in treating co-occurring psychiatric conditions.
• Providers who are welcoming to all individuals.