Alcohol Addiction Treatment at The Recovery Village Columbus

YOU CAN RECOVER, WE CAN HELP

How We Can Help Start Your Recovery Journey

“I’d tell myself it wasn’t a lot of alcohol, that I was managing fine. But I wasn’t doing my job right, my marriage was hurting. I had no control, and I didn’t see a way out. I could not imagine a future without alcohol being part of my life.”  

If you can’t seem to stop drinking, you’re not alone. Thousands of our patients saw no end in sight, but now live alcohol-free with our evidence-based treatment. Let our experts help you heal. Get the support you need and get your life back. 

STATISTICS

Alcohol Abuse in Ohio and Beyond

Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans struggle with alcohol addiction every year. Nearly 531,000 residents had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2017; of these, around 494,000 needed treatment but did not receive it. 

In 2014 the Behavioral Health Barometer reported an annual average of about 95,000 adolescents aged 12–17 (10.3% of all adolescents) used alcohol in Ohio in 2014–2015. Of all adults, 19% reported binge drinking habits which can lead to long-term alcohol issues. 

Across the U.S., alcohol is the most widely used and abused substance among adults. In 2019, a study completed by ​​the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that: 

• 85.6% of adults over 18 have consumed alcohol
• 25.8% admitted to binge drinking in the past month.
• 15 million adults have alcohol use disorder (AUD). 
• Only 7.3% of adults with AUD received treatment for AUD in a treatment center.

KNOWING WHEN YOU NEED HELP

How Much is Too Much?

How do you know if you are dependent on alcohol and abusing it? To determine if you are drinking too much alcohol, it is important to look at how much you’re drinking, how quickly, and how often. Drinking too much or too often can lead to alcohol abuse, then alcohol dependence, then alcohol addiction, otherwise known as alcoholism. According to the NIAAA, heavy drinking can occur in different ways, including binge and chronic drinking. Binge drinking involves four drinks in one sitting for women and five for men, while chronic heavy drinking involves more than eight drinks per week for women and more than 15 drinks per week for men. If you’re drinking this much or more, you are much more likely to need professional alcohol addiction treatment. However, it’s important to note that many people struggle with alcohol addiction and drink less than this.

MORE ON ALCOHOL ADDICTION

Alcohol Abuse vs. Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction may sound the same, but they are two elements of the more significant problem. Alcohol abuse is the act of drinking excessively or using alcohol to self-medicate. Someone may abuse alcohol even after it causes physical or mental harm. 

Alcohol addiction or alcoholism is a chronic medical condition with frequent periods of alcohol abuse and a loss of control over how much or how often you consume alcohol. Alcohol addiction can also occur when someone develops a physical or emotional dependence on alcohol.

Risk Factors for Alcohol Abuse

Numerous risk factors can impact someone’s potential for alcohol abuse or addiction. These can include genetic, physiological, and environmental factors.

People who suffer from mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety or other mood disorders are also at a high risk of developing an addiction or alcohol abuse. Alcoholism can also run in families. If you have family members who have abused alcohol, this could indicate you have a higher likelihood of doing so. However, it does not mean you are destined to become an alcoholic.

Other factors that may impact alcohol abuse can include:

• Stress
• Life events
• Poor life satisfaction
• Trauma 
• Pre-existing psychiatric disorder (Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Personality Disorders)

The Effects of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction

Alcohol misuse or abuse can damage aspects of someone’s life if left untreated. Physical, emotional and social consequences can occur with continued alcohol abuse. 

The Physical Consequences 

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can lead to serious physical consequences. Alcohol use is linked to more than 200 diseases. It can lead to health problems and mask symptoms of other problems. Physical health issues can include:

• Hepatitis
• Gastritis
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Cancers, including mouth, ovarian, prostate and breast cancer
• Seizures
• Diabetes
• Anemia
• Dementia
• Gout
• Irritable bowel syndrome

On a short-term basis, alcohol can lead to slower reactions, memory and balance problems, trouble with hearing, anxiety and restlessness. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can also cause errors in judgment that lead to illness or injury, such as unprotected sex or driving under the influence.

The Emotional Consequences 

There are numerous consequences of alcohol abuse, and not all are physical. For those suffering from pre-existing mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, alcohol can be a way to relax and manage everyday stresses. However, serious emotional consequences of overusing alcohol exist. You may do something you regret or neglect your responsibilities. While under the influence of alcohol, you’re more likely to take risks, and your judgment is clouded. This leads to more stress and anxiety and, in turn, more alcohol.

The Social Consequences

People often drink for social reasons. Going out for a drink or having a drink with dinner is commonplace, but excessive drinking is socially unacceptable. Unfortunately, people often drink to increase their positivity, make social events more enjoyable, reduce discomfort and avoid social rejection.

Alcohol abuse can lead to withdrawing from your friends and family as you try to hide the extent of your illness. Your relationships could suffer from your behavior or inappropriate public behavior. If you drive under the influence, you could lose your driver’s license and even your job if you show up to work drunk, for