Treatment for alcoholism Pennsylvania

What Alcoholism Means Today

Alcohol use disorder is the clinical term for when an individual has a compulsive need to consume alcohol. This disorder is sometimes referred to by other terms such as alcohol addiction, alcohol abuse, or alcohol dependence.

When an alcoholic drinks, it affects the normal functioning of the brain and body, resulting in uncontrollable cravings. These compulsive urges make it difficult or impossible for someone who has AUD to stop drinking on their own.

Alcoholism can be mild, moderate, or severe. The following symptoms may indicate an alcohol use disorder:

• Drinking more than intended
• Continuing to drink despite adverse consequences
• Craving alcohol or having strong urges to drink
• Inability to stop consuming alcohol once started
• Inability to control the amount of alcohol consumed
• Developing tolerance to the effects of alcohol
• Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
• Spending time drinking

Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder

Health care providers score AUD severity by counting how many signs and symptoms a person exhibits over a specific period, usually 12 months. They assess whether a person meets at least two of 11 criteria. A mild case involves 2 to 3 criteria, moderate cases involve 4 to 5, and severe cases involve 6 or more.

The most important signs of alcohol use disorder include the following:

• You're unable to limit your drinking in any way
• You have withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back or quit
• Your relationships have suffered because of your drinking

Other possible signs and symptoms are as follows:

• Experiencing cravings for alcohol
• Losing interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
• Needing an increased amount of alcohol to get the desired effect
• Getting into situations that are dangerous because of your drinking

If you think you might have AUD, tell your primary care provider. If you feel comfortable, talk to someone close to you about your concerns with drinking.

How Much Drinking Is Too Much

How much drinking is too much depends on several factors, including your age and sex; whether you're taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs; and how often you drink alcohol. The more of these risk factors you have, the greater your chances are that even moderate drinking will harm you.

A U.S. standard drink holds about 0.6 fluid ounces of pure ethanol. That's roughly the same as:

• A 12-ounce can of beer, with 5 percent alcohol
• A 5-ounce glass of wine, with 12 percent alcohol
• An ounce-and-a-half shot glass of 80-proof (40 percent alcohol) distilled spirits

Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age 21.

Heavy alcohol use is defined as consuming 15 or more drinks per week for men and 8 or more drinks per week for women.

Some people should avoid alcohol completely. This includes anyone younger than age 21, or women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. People who drive, people taking certain medications, and people who have health problems that can be made worse by drinking should also be careful about any alcohol use.

Health Effects of Heavy Drinking

Long-term heavy drinking harms many organs, including the brain. It also causes changes in the heart and blood vessels. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk for health problems.

The most serious problems from alcohol are:

• liver disease
• heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
• cancer of the esophagus, throat, breast, and colon
• pancreatitis

Heavy drinking can damage the liver and make it unable to break down fats. If too many fats build up in the liver, the liver becomes inflamed (alcoholic hepatitis) and enlarged. Continued heavy drinking can lead to cirrhosis (scarring), which can be fatal.

Heavy drinking can cause heart failure and high blood pressure.

Heavy drinking can also lead to mental illness, including depression and anxiety. It can make other conditions worse.

Drinking during pregnancy can harm your fetus.

When to See a Doctor

How often you use alcohol, how much you drink, and whether you have experienced any withdrawal or dependence on alcohol are all important considerations in deciding when to seek help for an AUD. Talk with your health care provider if:

• You think that you might have a drinking problem.
• Your health is suffering because of your drinking habits.
• Someone else is having problems due to your drinking.
• You want to cut back on how much alcohol you drink, but can't or don't know how.
• You are pregnant and need help cutting back on alcohol use.
• You have been diagnosed with an AUD and want to stop drinking.

Some people may be at higher risk of developing AUD than others. For example, if your blood relatives have a history of AUD, you may be more likely to develop this problem yourself.

Also, if you:

• Have another mental health condition such as depression or anxiety
• Are taking certain medicines that could interact with alcohol
• Feel like you cannot control how much you drink

These factors can increase your risk of having an AUD. If any of these apply to you, seek help from a health care provider to learn more about treatment.

If you have been drinking alcohol heavily and you decide to stop or reduce how much you drink, you need to know how to do so safely. Your doctor can help you plan a safe way to reduce your drinking. If you try to go through withdrawal without medical supervision, you could become seriously ill and even die.

See a doctor about drinking when you have signs of trouble, such as:

• Unwanted thoughts or behaviors caused by drinking
• Failing to do what you should at work, home, or school because of drinking
• Continuing to drink even though your drinking is causing problems in your life
• Drinking alcohol and driving
• Getting into situations while drinking that increase your chances of getting hurt

Treatment Options for Alcoholism

You may be able to treat your alcohol use disorder (AUD) with just talk therapy or by using a medication. Some people need both types of treatment. Your health care provider can recommend what is best for you. If your condition is severe, your doctor might suggest a combination of treatments and services.

Treatment options for alcoholism include counseling, medication, mutual support groups, and medical treatment.

Counseling helps people change their behaviors and thoughts related to alcohol use. It also teaches coping skills and helps patients manage relapses or triggers. Counseling is typically provided in one of two ways:

• Individual therapy - Patients meet with a therapist alone.
• Group therapy - Patients are counseled by a therapist in the presence of other individuals who are going through similar treatment.

Behavioral therapies are very common ways to treat AUD. They include: Motivational enhancement therapy. This type of counseling helps you understand the benefits of alcohol use treatment and encourages you to make positive changes in your behavior. Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This counseling focuses on helping people identify what triggers their drinking and how to cope with those problems.

Medications can help people who suffer from alcoholism stop drinking and prevent relapses. Three FDA-approved medications exist for treating alcoholism:

• Acamprosate helps patients maintain abstinence from alcohol.
• Disulfiram makes drinking alcohol extremely unpleasant due to the way it interacts with the body.
• Naltrexone (oral or long-acting injectable) reduces cravings and blocks the pleasurable effects of alcohol.

Medical treatment is used to help patients manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms that occur during the detoxification process.

Counseling can be very effective in helping people with alcoholism overcome their addiction. This type of therapy helps people identify and change their drinking behavior. It also provides support during times of temptation or relapse.

During detoxification, you will be monitored by medical professionals to make sure that you are safe and comfortable throughout the process.

Outpatient treatment allows you to receive treatment without having to stay overnight at the facility. You will attend regular appointments with therapists, doctors, and other health professionals.

Talking to Your Primary Care Provider

Most health care providers are trained to identify problem drinking and alcohol use disorders. Talking with your doctor is a good first step to understanding how much you're drinking and whether it's causing any problems in your life. Your provider can also help decide if treatment is right for you.

Talking with your primary care provider about alcohol use is an important first step in getting help for AUD. If you feel comfortable sharing information about your drinking, be sure to tell them:

• How much and how often you drink
• Whether you think your drinking might be harmful to your health
• About any problems that have resulted from your drinking
• Your medical history, including any mental health conditions or previous treatment

During the evaluation, your primary care provider will ask you questions about your drinking patterns, including how often you drink, how many drinks you have per week or session, when and where you drink, and what you're drinking. You'll be asked about any health problems that might be related to alcohol use, such as liver damage, high blood pressure, or pancreatitis. Your provider will also ask about your social, occupational, and family life, including whether you've had conflicts with friends, family members, employers, or coworkers; experienced legal troubles; or neglected responsibilities because of drinking.

Your primary care provider may also ask whether you're experiencing any signs of AUD, such as increased tolerance, an inability to control how much you drink, or the need to drink more than usual. You'll be asked if you've ever thought about cutting down on your drinking and, if so, what stopped you from doing so.

Your primary care provider may ask questions about other substances you use, including whether you're taking medicines that interact with alcohol. Your provider will also ask about your family history of AUD.

Before you meet with your primary care provider about your drinking problem, consider writing down what you drink and how often, any health conditions or problems that concern you, and other information that might help them evaluate your situation.

If your doctor determines that you do have an AUD, they can assess the severity of your problem, recommend effective treatments, and refer you to additional care when needed.

Getting Treatment in Pennsylvania

The process of getting help for alcoholism can be confusing. There are many factors that can influence how you go about seeking help. For instance, if you have health insurance, your first step may be to find a provider who is in your network. Or, you may need to look into programs that are covered by your state's Medicaid plan.

If you don't have health coverage, you should start with the Single County Authorities (SCA). They manage funding for alcoholism treatment and provide assessments for people who require assistance. These agencies can also help individuals or their families get referrals to receive the appropriate level of care based on each person's needs.

Alcohol abuse screening may be done by phone or in person at any time. Its purpose is to identify whether immediate emergency services are needed and to encourage individuals to seek additional treatment. The state has made these screenings available 24/7, seven days a week so that people can get help when they need it most.

Contact your Single County Authority (SCA), known as the local drug and alcohol office. These offices can be found in each county in Pennsylvania.

Treatment for alcoholism by Pennsylvania city

Addresses and phones are on each city page.