Alcohol Addiction
Break free from alcohol dependence with expert care.
All In Solutions is a licensed and accredited facility that offers top-quality care for alcohol addiction. We’ve helped thousands break free from alcohol dependency with compassionate, evidence-backed detoxification and rehabilitation.
Understanding Alcohol Addiction
A drink after work, a glass of wine at dinner, a celebratory cocktail – according to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 224.3 million people ages 12 and older have reported that they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime. This makes alcohol the most common substance use disorder in the United States, with nearly 30 million people estimated to have Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in 2024.
In alcohol addiction, people continue to use alcohol despite the negative consequences that might be affecting their lives. Like other forms of addiction, alcohol addiction is a chronic, yet treatable disease. It can also range from mild, moderate, to severe, and lead to long-lasting changes in brain chemistry.
What is a “Drinking Problem”?
How much is too much when drinking? Although most people might be able to enjoy a standard drink per day and have no consequences, people with alcoholism cannot control their drinking, or might go years without drinking and then engage in binge-drinking behavior.
Excessive drinking, as defined by the CDC in a study conducted between 2009 and 2011, is having 8 drinks per week for women, and 15 drinks per week for men. However, people with severe alcohol use disorder can drink far beyond this number, such as having a fifth of alcohol (or 150ml) or several 6 or 12-packs of beer daily.
Though excessive drinking is defined by quantity and frequency, it is important to point out that problem drinking and addiction are more about how alcohol impacts an individual’s life. Some people can have an alcohol problem even though they don’t always drink a lot, and others can drink a lot and not have a problem with alcohol.
Signs of Alcohol Addiction
The signs of alcohol addiction might not be noticeable right away. Some people might start to notice changes in their drinking patterns suddenly, while others can take years, if not decades, to truly grasp the scope of their addiction.
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Guilt
- Alcohol cravings
- Blackouts when drinking
- Increased tolerance to alcohol
- Increased agitation
- Feelings of loneliness
- Hiding your drinking from others
The National Institutes of Health has categorized people that are able to function (go to work, interact with their families, etc.) as belonging to the Functional subtype. However, just because someone can function with alcoholism doesn’t mean they do not need treatment. It’s important to pay attention to the signs of alcoholism and get help if you or a loved one notice or experience these signs.
Effects of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol addiction does not just impact a person themselves, but also those around them. Alcoholism can lead to both long and short-term consequences. Issues such as adverse health complications, financial issues, relationship issues, legal issues, and an impaired ability to work.
Effects of Alcohol Abuse
Excessive drinking even for one day can have short-term health consequences, including dehydration, blackouts, injuries sustained during blackouts, and alcohol poisoning. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, between 2006 and 2014 the number of alcohol-related visits to the emergency room in the U.S. increased by 50%.
- Cardiomyopathy
- Portal hypertension
- Digestive issues
- Increased risk of cancer
- Weakened immune system
- Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression
- Liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and scarring of the liver
- Increased blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke
- Dehydration
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Erratic behavior
- Insomnia
- Nightmares
- Disturbed sleep
Alcoholism & Co-Occurring Disorders
Excessive alcohol use increases the chance of illicit drug abuse and worsens pre-existing mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Nearly half of people living with addiction also have mood disorders or underlying mental health illnesses. For many people with alcohol use disorder, drinking is a form of self-medicating for undiagnosed depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Of the over 20 million people living with alcohol and substance use disorder, 37.9% of those people also had a co-occurring mental illness.
Co-occurring disorders are mental illnesses that can either result from addiction or contribute to alcohol use disorder. Mental illness can also pose a barrier to recovery if mental health treatment is not integrated with addiction treatment. All In Solutions not only treats the disease of addiction, but also the mental and emotional stressors that can accompany it.
Some of these co-occurring disorders include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD
FACT: Around 25% of those with serious mental health issues also struggle with addiction.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
If you or someone you love has displayed physical, mental, or emotional signs of alcohol addiction as stated above, the best time to seek treatment is now. A person seeking treatment will learn that this condition cannot be cured, but it can be treated and managed.
The first step is always the most difficult. All In Solutions is equipped to provide the treatment required for your journey towards a happy, healthy, sober life. Click below to learn more about each step in our full continuum of care.
Detox
During detox, people might suffer from the effects of withdrawal symptoms and need help minimizing symptoms while also preventing medical complications.
A medical detox program provides round-the-clock support to help individuals through the detoxification process.
Residential
Residential treatment centers provide a sober living environment in home-style settings.
Mental health and alcohol counseling staff will be available, with addiction groups held everyday. This structured and supportive environment provides round-the-clock care.
PHP
PHP serves as the next step in care, offering a clinical approach that bridges the gap between intensive residential treatment and traditional outpatient services.
PHP combines residential treatment with outpatient treatment, where individuals attend morning groups and return home in the evening.
IOP
Clients continue their recovery journey while balancing work, education, and family – promoting sustained sobriety in a supportive and therapeutic setting.
Clients develop independently with a focus on sustained mental health maintenance and long-term sobriety.
Alcoholism By The Numbers
Americans aged 12 and older had Alcohol Use Disorder (2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
were youth aged 12-17
estimated deaths, 120k male, 59k female, attributable to excessive alcohol use.
leading cause of death in the United States that is completely preventable.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a variety of ways you can diagnose yourself, or help a loved one diagnose themselves and seek treatment. Your primary care provider might also ask a series of questions or refer you to a mental health specialist who can diagnose you with alcohol use disorder.
Some questions they might ask include:
1. How many times per week do you drink?
2. Do you begin to drink early on in the day?
3. If you abstain from drinking and then drink on occasion, do you tend to binge-drink or suffer from blackouts?
4. Do you feel alcohol is negatively impacting your life?
5. Have you faced legal issues due to your alcoholism?
6. What age did you begin drinking, and did it ever become an issue?
7. Do you feel the need to drink due to increased anxiety or to cope with life stressors?
8. Do you find it difficult to turn down a drink or find it difficult to stop drinking once you start?
9. Do you feel guilty after drinking?
10. Have your loved ones, family, or even your doctor grown concerned due to your drinking behaviors?
If you answer yes to most of those questions above, it might be time to seek help from an alcohol counseling specialist or treatment center. If your family or loved ones feel you would benefit from attending an alcohol treatment center, it could also be a sign you need help even if you feel you don’t need it. Other signs you might need help include:
- Financial issues
- Legal issues
- Feelings of alcohol consuming your life
- Family problems
- Severe health problems
- Being unable to work or attend school
- Withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit
Inpatient and outpatient treatments both have advantages and drawbacks. Inpatient treatment offers a greater level of support and accountability, and generally has better program completion rates. The downside is that inpatient treatment is inconvenient and typically requires time away from work/home.
Yes, there is plenty of evidence available that alcoholism treatment can produce long-term sobriety or at least reduce the occurrences and severity of relapses.
A patient’s length of stay is dependent on their needs and progress during treatment. At All In Solutions, we will work with you to provide an individualized treatment plan that works for you and get you home as soon as you are ready.
The cost of rehab depends on the program and your insurance provider. In some cases, addiction treatment is entirely covered by health insurance. To get a better idea of the out-of-pocket cost of treatment at All In Solutions, give us a call or visit our scholarship and insurance verification page.
To get started, simply give us a call! Our admissions team will collect your health insurance and demographic information to assess any financial responsibility you may have. After that, you will complete an assessment that will be reviewed by our clinical and medical team so that we can identify a treatment plan that is likely to work for you. Once you are approved for admission, our admissions team will help you come up with a plan to tie up any loose ends, like speaking to your employer or family, and plan your intake.
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