We'd like to bring up a topic you may have thought about for yourself or someone close to you.
Perhaps you’ve wondered if you were overdoing it with alcohol on some nights.
Maybe someone you know likes to have a glass of wine during their stressful moments?
Though it might be tough, we should approach these problems gently. It's better to look at them with kindness and curiosity than to criticize them.
There's more to Alcohol Use Disorder than someone who drinks a lot at parties.
Eventually, we don't understand how alcohol has crept into our lives until we notice we don't have complete control.
We want you to know: seeing this pattern takes courage, and reaching out for help takes even more.
What Alcohol Use Disorder Looks Like
Think of AUD as alcohol gradually taking up more space in your life than you intended.
When you find yourself having to drink and not being able to stop, it's a sign.
This condition is diagnosed when a person cannot limit their drinking, suffers because of their drinking and still craves alcohol heavily.
Here's what this looks like:
- You drink more than you planned. You serve yourself a glass of wine with your meal, but somehow, you've drunk the entire bottle by 10 pm.
- Cutting back feels impossible. You set boundaries—"just weekends" or "only after 7 PM"—but they keep shifting.
- Drinking becomes the priority. Performance at work falls, friends or family members feel neglected, and you don't prioritize what's important to you.
- You need more to feel the same effects. What used to give you a buzz now barely takes the edge off.
- You feel terrible when you're not drinking. Experiencing anxiety, shivers or general unease when you haven’t had alcohol to drink.
- The craving feels urgent. It's not wanting a drink—it's needing one to function normally.
Why This Matters More Than You Might Think
Untreated AUD involves more than a hangover or unpleasant conversations afterwards.
These issues can cause a lot of health complications and include liver disease, heart problems, a greater risk for cancer and mental health issues that last over time.
The CDC says that drinking excessive alcohol leads to 178,000 deaths in the United States each year.
But here's the hopeful part: AUD is incredibly treatable.
Given the right resources and ideas, people enjoy meaningful lives after their recovery. It is essential to discover what fits your needs.
Treatment That Works
It’s necessary to discover the right mix of support, important resources and often medication. Let us explain what helps.
Therapy and Connection
- You will notice your triggers and learn to handle situations in a better way with cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Support groups give you the opportunity to meet others who understand what you’ve experienced
- Whether it's AA, SMART Recovery, or other groups, community matters
Medication Support
Modern medicine offers genuine help:
- Naltrexone reduces alcohol's rewarding effects, making it easier to stop once you start
- Acamprosate helps restore brain chemistry balance, reducing cravings and anxiety
- Disulfiram creates unpleasant reactions when you drink, serving as a deterrent
Lifestyle Changes
- Regular exercise and mindfulness
- Reconnecting with hobbies and interests
- Building relationships with people who support your goals
- Creating routines that don't revolve around drinking
The most important thing to understand is that your treatment plan should feel right.
Some people benefit from complete abstinence; others find success in moderation.
Some need medication, others find therapy and support groups sufficient. Progress isn't linear, and that's completely normal.
How Doctorloune Supports You
At Doctorloune, we get that seeking help takes strength. Here's how we support you:
Personalized Care
- Thorough consultation to understand your specific situation
- Determine if medications like Naltrexone or Acamprosate might help
- Treatment plans based on your health history and goals
Accessible and Affordable
- Initial consultations start at $75
- Follow-up care
Private and Convenient
- Completely online platform—access care from anywhere
- Confidential sessions with secure, protected privacy
- No waiting rooms
Your Goals Matter
- Want to cut back? We'll help with that
- Aiming for complete sobriety? We support that too
- Exploring what feels right for you? That's precisely where we start
Reach Out
If you've gotten this far, something is speaking to you. Listen to what your body tells you.
Looking for advice is helpful and good for you, whether you want to stop drinking or help someone who does.
Recovery is not just giving up things—it's about gaining happiness again.
Imagine starting each day with a clear mind, enjoying peaceful sleep, feeling ready to enjoy your life and honestly participating in your relationships. You can turn this into a reality.
If you would like to know more about managing alcohol use disorders, schedule an appointment with us at Doctorloune.
Share with someone you feel comfortable talking to what's on your mind and in your heart.
Common Questions
What are the main signs of AUD?
The most common indicators include:
- Intense cravings for alcohol
- Difficulty controlling how much you drink once you start
- Continuing to drink despite negative impacts on your health, relationships, or responsibilities.
What's the most effective treatment approach?
Research indicates that the best results are achieved when therapy (mainly cognitive-behavioral therapy), support and medicine are combined.
Is AUD the same as alcoholism?
AUD is the current label for what used to be known as alcoholism. It categorizes problem drinking into several categories, from little to much, instead of grouping everyone into one diagnosis.
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