AN OVERVIEW OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDER
Alcohol use disorder is surprisingly common among teens and young adults. The teen years up to age 25 present so many incredible opportunities, some older adults would love to experience their “glory days” again. But sadly, too many teens and young adults spend these glorious times of their life drinking alcohol and missing out on the bounty in front of them.
Many factors lead a teen or young adult into drinking. Environment, peer pressure, the sudden availability of alcohol in their lives, and even genetics put your young person at risk. Far too many go down a path that leads to their destruction. Instead, choose to open your life to the promise at your door.
At Zelus Recovery, our team recognizes that healing is possible for those with an alcohol use disorder. That’s why our alcohol detox center provides comprehensive care for this type of addiction. If you or a loved one might benefit from our alcohol detox program in Idaho, reach out to our friendly staff today by completing our online contact form or calling 208.518.0797.
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WHAT IS ALCOHOL USE DISORDER?
Alcohol use disorder is the ongoing overuse of alcohol that increases your teen or young adult’s risk of severe health problems. It also puts them at risk because of drunken behavior and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 88,000 people die each year from alcohol abuse, including teens and young adults just like your own.
Alcohol use disorder affects people at multiple levels. The first level is moderate drinking. The second and third are binge drinking and heavy drinking. At any of these levels, your teen or young adult has a real problem that needs treatment.
Moderate drinking is one drink daily for adult females and two drinks for adult males. This statistic says nothing of a young person drinking in teen years when their body is still changing and growing. In fact, in the late teens, your young person’s brain is still developing. Consuming alcohol at these young ages often causes lasting damage.
Binge drinking is drinking five or more alcoholic beverages in one day. Even if this happens no more than once a month, this behavior still classifies as an alcohol use disorder. Heavy drinking involves five or more alcoholic beverages in one day, over five or more days per month. Both of these conditions put your teen or young adult at high risk for health and safety problems.
A diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD) comes after a doctor sees your teen or young adult and evaluates their drinking. Some of the symptoms of an AUD include problems controlling their drinking, continuing to drink despite problems it causes, and having withdrawal symptoms when not drinking. The number of criteria your young person meets under the disorder determines whether they suffer mild, moderate, or severe AUD.
CLASSIFICATION OF AN ALCOHOL USE DISORDER
According to the United States government, there are 11 criteria that experts use to classify a person’s alcohol use disorder or substance abuse disorder. If you have two or three of these symptoms, you most likely have a mild abuse disorder. Four or five symptoms can indicate that you struggle with a moderate disorder. However, if you struggle with more than 6 of these criteria, you most likely have a severe alcohol use disorder. The criteria are as follows:
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You drink more than you mean to, or for a longer time.
You struggle with withdrawal symptoms when you don’t drink, and you have to drink more in order to relieve those symptoms.
Your desires or efforts to stop or control your drinking are unsuccessful.
You’ve developed a tolerance for alcohol, meaning that you need more alcohol to get the same effects.
Most of your time is spent trying to get alcohol, using alcohol, or recovering from your alcohol use.
You continue to drink even though you have recurring physical or psychological problems that alcohol causes or exacerbates.
When you don’t drink, you have cravings for alcohol.
Your drinking leads to risky or dangerous situations.
Drinking has led to a failure to complete your responsibilities at home, work, or school.
You’ve given up recreational, professional, or social activities in favor of drinking.
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If these situations sound familiar, don’t panic. It’s not too late to get treatment. However, it is imperative to get treatment as soon as possible, even if yours is only a mild alcohol use disorder. After all, a mild alcohol use disorder is easier to treat than a severe one.
Both counselors are very dedicated to helping the entire family deal with a very complex issue. They have a solid methodology, provide information and a game plan to try to stop drug use before it becomes a dependency problem. The guidance they provide can prevent the need for full outpatient treatment if you follow their guidelines. Even if you don’t need treatment, I highly recommend you and your at-risk loved one go for counseling. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure!
– Gina Funke
ALCOHOL USE STARTS EARLY
For many people, drinking begins as early as age 12. More than half of people over this age drink alcohol, with most drinking only moderately. But 17 million people – including teens and young adults – have an actual alcohol use problem. Alcohol abuse also affects 24 percent of eighth-grade students and 64 percent of 12th-grade students.
When an eighth-grader or someone in their middle school years starts engaging in dangerous activities like drinking alcohol, this is a sign of worse things yet to come. Your young person has many years left in school and forming the foundation for the rest of their life. For these new problems, your teen needs Early Intervention program help, like that of Zelus Recovery in Meridian, Idaho.
THERAPY OPTIONS AT ZELUS
At Zelus, we know that your treatment is important to you. Naturally, you may be interested in how you’ll spend your time when you get treatment. You’ll spend most of your time at Zelus Recovery in a variety of therapy programs. Some of these therapy programs are evidence-based. That means that medical and mental specialists have researched these methods, so we have proof that they’ve worked in the past. Your treatment methods may include:[ultimate_carousel slides_on_desk=”1″ slides_on_tabs=”1″ slides_on_mob=”1″ arrow_color=”#4ac1b0″ dots_color=”#4ac1b0″ dots_icon=”ultsl-radio-checked”]
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Group therapy
Individual therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
[/ultimate_carousel]Alternatively, we also use holistic therapy options. Alcohol use disorder touches every part of you: mind, body, and soul. Holistic therapy treats your entire person. Your holistic therapy options may include:[ultimate_carousel slides_on_desk=”1″ slides_on_tabs=”1″ slides_on_mob=”1″ arrow_color=”#4ac1b0″ dots_color=”#4ac1b0″ dots_icon=”ultsl-radio-checked”]
Experiential therapy
Adventure therapy
Yoga therapy
Meditation therapy
[/ultimate_carousel]Moreover, we know that every person who comes to Zelus is different. Therefore, everyone needs different treatment options. As a result, we offer individualized treatment. In other words, we design your treatment specifically to treat your needs.
ZELUS RECOVERY IN IDAHO HELPS YOUR WHOLE FAMILY HEAL
Healing from early AUD does not start and end with treating your teen or young adult. Instead, this treatment involves your whole family. AUD is a family disease, as any addiction affects the entire family. The only way to end the multi-generational problem is to get the treatment your teen, young adult, and family need now.
Substance abuse programs of Zelus Recovery in Meridian, Idaho include:
Intensive outpatient treatment
Early intervention for young adolescents
Family program with family group participation
Your teen or young adult’s alcohol use disorder can end now, before losing the potential for their healthy, happy adulthood to the drinking problem. Alcohol use disorder treatment can save and change your child’s life. Call Zelus Recovery now at 208.518.0797 for more information about available programs and getting the help your young person needs.
If you or your child is struggling with an addiction, a men’s rehab program can help. At Zelus Recovery, we offer a supportive, compassionate environment and top therapy programs. You can learn more about our programs by calling us today at 208.518.0797.
Moderate drinking is one drink daily for adult females and two drinks for adult males. This statistic says nothing of a young person drinking in teen years when their body is still changing and growing. In fact, in the late teens, your young person's brain is still developing. Consuming alcohol at these young ages often causes lasting damage.
Binge drinking is drinking five or more alcoholic beverages in one day. Even if this happens no more than once a month, this behavior still classifies as an alcohol use disorder. Heavy drinking involves five or more alcoholic beverages in one day, over five or more days per month. Both of these conditions put your teen or young adult at high risk for health and safety problems.
A diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD) comes after a doctor sees your teen or young adult and evaluates their drinking. Some of the symptoms of an AUD include problems controlling their drinking, continuing to drink despite problems it causes, and having withdrawal symptoms when not drinking. The number of criteria your young person meets under the disorder determines whether they suffer mild, moderate, or severe AUD.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="vc_default" bg_type="bg_color" bg_color_value="#4ac1b0" css=".vc_custom_1580826667052{margin-bottom: 25px !important;}"][vc_column css=".vc_custom_1568303094220{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1580825178430{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}"]
