Alcohol Use Disorder in Connecticut

Bottle of whiskey in hand in store

At Waterstone Addiction & Recovery, a leading outpatient addiction treatment practice in CT, we provide therapy and treatment for a wide range of substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder.

Learn more about alcohol use disorder and our treatment options below, or schedule an appointment with our team of specialists to begin your journey to recovery and live better today.

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol use disorder, also known as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, is a medical condition characterized by uncontrolled drinking and a preoccupation with alcohol. The condition causes an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. Since alcoholism is considered by experts to be a brain disorder, it can be mild, moderate or severe depending on the number of symptoms the user is experiencing. The good news is, no matter how severe the condition, Waterstone offers evidence-based treatment with behavioral therapies, mutual or individual support groups and medications if required that can help people achieve and maintain recovery.  

What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

AUD is a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least 2 of the following 11 symptoms occurring within a 12-month period. The number of symptoms determines the severity: 2 to 3 symptoms for mild AUD, 4 to 5 for moderate, and 6 or more for severe.

1. Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
2. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
3. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from its effects.
4. Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use alcohol.
5. Recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
6. Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol.
7. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.
8. Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
9. Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by alcohol.
10. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following: a need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect or a markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.
11. Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following: the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol or alcohol (or a closely related substance, such as a benzodiazepine) is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol’s Effect on Physical & Mental Health

As a central nervous system depressant, alcohol effects the body by slowing down brain activity. While it can have stimulant effects at first, by releasing dopamine and binding to receptors in the brain which produce feelings of sedation, pleasure and well-being, it also limits glutamate, which sends important signals to your body’s cells resulting in impaired vision and reaction times. This in turn dulls the senses and suppresses your heart rate and breathing.  

Over time, moderate to heaving alcohol consumption effects the body in a negative way and can lead to conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver, brain damage and cancer.

How is Alcohol Use Disorder Treated?

At Waterstone, we realize that treating AUD is not a one size fits all solution. Instead, we tailor evidence-based psychotherapy in both an individual and group setting along with medication if needed.

What Does Recovery Look Like?

Recovery is a dynamic, individualized process through which a person pursues two clinical goals, cessation from heavy drinking and remission from AUD symptoms (except craving, see Core article on recovery).³⁷ If people achieve both aims and maintain them over time, they are considered clinically recovered from AUD. Importantly, recovery is often marked by additional improvements in physical health, mental health, relationships, spirituality, and other measures of well-being, which in turn, help sustain recovery.

Schedule A Visit With Us

If you believe you may be suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder, it is important to see a caregiver who specializes in addiction medicine in order to properly diagnose and treat your condition. Our outpatient program is managed by a board-certified addiction medicine physician that specializes in medication-assisted treatments and psychotherapy. Call 203-826-1163 today to schedule an appointment.