Someone with alcohol use disorder is unable to control their drinking. This means that they are unable to regulate their alcohol intake. Because of alcohol’s addictive nature as a depressant, people quickly find themselves in significant distress. Alcohol begins to dominate their thoughts, making them preoccupied with finding and getting their next drink. As the disease progresses, individuals routinely find they need to drink more and more or more potent alcohol to achieve the euphoric effect they desire. Soon, this excessive drinking leads to risky behaviors that endanger both themselves and others. For example, drunk driving is one such excessive risk.

Unfortunately, those with alcohol use disorder cannot simply stop drinking. Going ‘cold turkey’ can do more harm than good. This is because the individual’s brain chemistry has changed. As they attempt to self-detox, they are unable and unskilled in addressing their body’s needs. Thus, individuals with alcohol use disorder suffer symptoms of withdrawal, such as:

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shaking
• Hand tremors and seizures
• Insomnia
• High blood pressure
• Hallucinations
• Fever and sweating
• Delirium tremens.

Also, many people do not realize that alcohol withdrawal can last for up to two days or more. Without the supervision of trained professionals, an individual puts themselves in harm’s way by attempting a detox alone.