About Addiction
Alcohol Addiction: Recognizing alcohol use disorder, and the many roads to recovery.
What alcohol addiction looks like, where to find support, and the treatment approaches that help people recover.
Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism or alcohol use disorder, is a chronic disease characterized by an inability to control or stop drinking despite negative consequences. Signs include increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, neglecting responsibilities due to drinking, and continued use despite health or relationship problems.
There is a large and supportive community for people with alcohol addiction. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most well-known, offering meetings worldwide and online. Other groups include SMART Recovery and LifeRing.
Recovery methodologies for alcohol addiction include 12-step programs like AA, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy, and medication-assisted treatment. Many find a combination of professional treatment and ongoing support groups most effective.