Pinnacle Treatment Centers Explains What Alcohol Use Disorder is in New Blog Post

Pinnacle Treatment Centers, a group of addiction treatment centers based in Mt Laurel Township, New Jersey, has announced that they have recently published a blog post that focuses on the nature of alcoholism and alcohol use disorder (AUD). The article, titled, “What is alcoholism and alcohol use disorder?,” explains the nature of the disorder and the problems that result from it.

Melanie Eilers, Senior Director of Communications at Pinnacle Treatment Centers, says, “It’s important to understand the difference between what is acceptable social drinking and what criteria make a person considered to have an AUD. For many, grabbing a drink with coworkers on a Friday or having a glass of wine or beer after work help them to relax and socialize. However, for some, this occasional couple of drinks can turn into daily drinking of more than just one or two. Since alcohol is such a socially acceptable way to socialize and unwind, the line between normal drinking and problem drinking can often blur -- particularly in the early stages of an AUD.”

According to the article, there are a number of signs that may indicate the presence of an alcohol use disorder. These include drinking more than intended or longer than planned; trying to reduce the amount but being unable to do so; craving for a drink; being sick from drinking; continuing to drink despite its negative impact on family, friends, work, or having legal problems; neglecting work, family, or school responsibilities just to drink or because one is sick from previous drinking; giving up or reducing time with hobbies or other activities previously enjoyed just to have more time to drink; having a drink to get the “effect” or “relief” one was able to get from less amount of alcohol before; continuing to drink even after experiencing blackout or memory loss during drinking; and having withdrawal symptoms after not having a drink for a certain period of time or when the effects of the alcohol have worn off.

Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, irritability nausea, shakiness, depression, sweating, and restlessness. Those who notice such symptoms in themselves or their loved one, may want to seek treatment either for themselves or their loved one. The more symptoms experienced, the greater is the chance of having AUD, which is a progressive and chronic illness. This means that the AUD will likely become worse over time. And just like with other chronic conditions, like asthma and diabetes, there is no cure. However, there are treatments can be used that can keep the disorder under control and help the affected person return to normalcy and experience once again the happiness and joy of having family and friends.

Meanwhile, it is important to note that Pinnacle Treatment Centers is a recognized leader in the provision of comprehensive treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. They currently offer their services to more than 29,000 patients each day in Kentucky, California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia. They have more than 110 community-based locations to provide their full continuum of quality care for both adult men and women who have a drug or alcohol addiction. The treatment offered include partial hospitalization/care, medically-monitored detoxification/withdrawal management, inpatient/residential treatment, intensive and general outpatient programming, sober living, and MAT for opioid use disorder.

In treating AUD, Pinnacle Treatment Centers employ an integrated model that combines traditional and complementary therapies. This will involve finding the proper combination of treatments to effectively address the disorder. They will start with a comprehensive medical, substance use, and psychiatric evaluation to determine the proper level of care for each particular person. They will then work with the patient to establish a tailor-fitted plan that meets the person’s specific needs. The treatment may start with a medically monitored detox plan, an inpatient residential program, and then one of their outpatient programs.

Those who are searching for an alcohol addiction treatment center may want to visit the Pinnacle Treatment Centers website, or contact them on the telephone, or through email.