Drinking is a popular way for people to celebrate. Unfortunately, it is also a way for many to cope with life’s challenges, including mental health issues. For millions of Americans of all ages and walks of life, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a daily struggle. Having AUD does not mean that you are drunk all of the time or that your life has gotten entirely out of control. But it does mean that you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol that can potentially get you to those points.
If you struggle with alcohol use, alcohol rehab in San Antonio at The Right Step Hill Country can help you identify why and teach you the skills to overcome your reliance on drinking. We provide the full spectrum of treatment options to meet your needs, whether you’re simply drinking more than you want to or are living with severe AUD that is impacting your quality of life.
What to know about alcohol abuse
To best understand alcohol use disorder, think of it as a spectrum of symptoms from mild to severe. AUD considers not only how much or how often someone drinks but also how it impacts their life. The following is a closer look at how AUD is defined as mild, moderate, or severe, based on the 11 criteria used to diagnose AUD:
Mild AUD
Mild AUD is diagnosed when people meet two to three diagnostic criteria. Signs might include:
- Craving alcohol
- Drinking more or longer than intended
- Repeated efforts to control or cut down on drinking
- Occasional hangovers that impact daily responsibilities
Mild AUD can feel like casual drinking that frequently gets out of hand.
Moderate AUD
People with moderate AUD meet four to five diagnostic criteria. Signs can include:
- Increased tolerance, or needing more alcohol to feel its effects
- Giving up other activities in favor of drinking
- Having alcohol-related problems in relationships
- Drinking regularly impacts daily work, school, or home life
- Sometimes needing to drink to avoid withdrawal symptoms
With moderate AUD, drinking patterns are more pronounced. People are still functional in daily life, but drinking has negative impacts.
Severe AUD
People with severe AUD meet six or more diagnostic criteria and exhibit clear signs of physical and psychological dependence. Signs include:
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Inability to stop drinking despite wanting to
- Spending the majority of time drinking or recovering from it
- Continuing to drink despite clear signs of its impacts on physical and mental health
- Engaging in risk-taking behaviors while drinking
When someone is experiencing severe AUD, you may find that their life seems to be centered on drinking.
The dangers of blacking out when drinking
Blacking out from alcohol can occur at any stage of AUD. A blackout is a gap in memory that happens when your brain cannot form new memories because the amount of alcohol in your system impairs the hippocampus, which is the part of your brain responsible for creating new memories. During a blackout, you are awake and appear to be functioning normally. If you or a loved one is experiencing blackouts when drinking, understand that it’s serious. Drinking to this point is dangerous.
There are two types of blackouts:
- Fragmentary: You experience partial memory loss, but may remember things when given cues, such as someone reminding you.
- En bloc: You experience total memory loss, where you cannot recall anything, even with prompts or cues.
Blacking out is caused by a high blood alcohol content (BAC) and typically begins with a BAC of .15%, which is nearly twice the legal intoxication level of .08%. Drinking rapidly, particularly on an empty stomach, can increase the risk of blacking out because your BAC rises more quickly. Other factors that can contribute to blacking out include gender, how your body metabolizes alcohol, and consuming other substances while drinking.
Signs that someone may be experiencing a blackout
Knowing how to spot a blackout could be what saves a loved one from getting caught in a dangerous situation, where they can’t recall what happened during an evening out. Some signs to look out for include:
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty walking a straight light or holding things
- Repetitive conversation
- An individual who does not remember how they arrived somewhere
- “Coming to” during a conversation with no recollection of how it started
- Acting uncharacteristically (impulsivity or aggression)
- Confusion or disorientation
Experiencing blackouts regularly is likely a sign that someone is drinking too much, and could benefit from a treatment program like ours. The earlier AUD is recognized, the sooner treatment can begin. Early treatment also makes it easier to manage AUD and prevent its progression.
Connect with Hill Country to enroll in alcohol rehab in San Antonio
It can be challenging to identify alcohol use disorder, but experiencing blackouts is a sure sign of alcohol abuse. Additionally, most people have blinders on when it comes to reflecting on their alcohol use. If you are questioning your relationship with alcohol, connect with Hill Country. We can provide an honest assessment of your treatment needs based on the information you share and help you enroll in an alcohol rehab program suited to your needs. Call 1.844.675.1628 or connect with us through our online contact form.