The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimated that the average American drank 2.24 gallons of alcohol in 2005, as wine, beer or spirits. But what about those who consume more than that, and how much is too much?
When is it time for alcohol treatment?
It is a question often asked. From the guy in college who partied too hard, to the laboring neighbor who puts away a six-pack every night, when does drinking alcohol become alcohol abuse, and when does that become an addiction?
Heavy drinking as defined by the Centers for Disease Control is the consumption of more than two drinks per day for men, and more than one drink per day for women. Abuse of alcohol is characterized as a pattern of drinking that affects an individual's health, relationships, or ability to work.
Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence, is recognizable from four main characteristics:
- Craving: an uncontrollable urge or need to drink.
- A loss of control: Once drinking has begun, there is an inability to cease drinking.
- Physical dependence: If a person stops drinking, the person will experience withdrawal symptoms.
- Tolerance: The need to drink higher and higher amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired effect.
Asking for Help
The time to seek a professional and find alcohol treatment is prior to abusing or becoming addicted to alcohol. Sometimes, this will involve assessing and determining how to cut back alcohol consumption before it becomes a problem. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends: writing down the reasons to stop drinking, setting a drinking goal, and keeping a drinking diary. (NIAAA Tips).
When drinking habits invite criticism from others, or begin to affect work, school, or relationships, it is time to seek professional guidance and assess how alcohol consumption is affecting the drinker's standard of living.
The first step is to seek a professional: talk to a family doctor or a psychologist, call a clinic hotline or visit a rehabilitation website, or contact a self-help group such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Treatment
Depending on the severity of the alcohol problem, a treatment plan will begin with detoxification. Detoxification is a removal of toxins from the body, in which the client will cease alcohol consumption until they are physically independent of alcohol. Many treatment programs administer medications to help with or even eliminate withdrawal symptoms, which can range from shakiness and anxiety to insomnia, headaches and fever. A stay in alcohol detox can last up to a week.
It is important to remember that detox is not a substitute for treatment of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; it is merely a first step in the treatment process. A successful rehab program will create a treatment plan for each client, to address the individual needs and/or any other co-occurring disorders, such as drug abuse, depression or other medical conditions.
Treatment can consist of group or individual therapy sessions and/or family counseling. Most alcohol treatment plans also have aftercare programs and relapse prevention plans. A facility can offer life skills training; legal aid, recreational therapy and a transitional program that helps clients seek self-help therapies, such as a 12-step program.
Seeking treatment for alcohol abuse or alcoholism is the only way to recover from the dependence on alcohol. For more information on alcohol abuse and alcoholism treatment, contact NIAAA or your local AA chapter.
[1] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings. Retrieved November 18, 2008 from
