Alcohol Use Disorder

It’s sipped to toast joyous occasions and guzzled to mask anxieties. It can enliven a social gathering, and it can wreck lives. 

It’s also among the most widely used substances in the United States, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 

From having just one more cold one to finishing a bottle, no one is immune to developing an alcohol use disorder, says Dr. Edward Thomas Lewis III, an MUSC Health addiction and forensic psychiatrist who works with patients experiencing addiction. 

“Addiction to alcohol can happen to anyone,” Dr. Lewis says. “Sometimes it’s a combination of genetics and environmental stressors, but one thing is clear: It does not discriminate.”

Many societies have accepted a certain level of alcohol use based on cultural or religious beliefs. Social drinking is consuming alcohol primarily among friends or in social settings. If you’re consuming multiple drinks to cope with anxiety or other worries, this could raise a bigger concern.

What many call “alcoholism” is referred to as an alcohol use disorder by health care professionals. It’s a broader term that encompasses a range of behaviors and use and takes into account the chronic nature of the disorder.

“Alcohol use disorder is a spectrum that begins with alcohol misuse,” he says. “Someone’s life may appear to be OK, but in reality, it’s not. If asked whether a colleague has a problem, work friends might say ‘no,’ while someone at home would know it’s a different story.”

Once addiction becomes more severe, eventually it bleeds into other aspects of everyday life, interfering with daily activities. Signs may include problems at home, problems with relationships, and issues related to work performance because they’re recovering from the effects of alcohol.

“Going in late for work, missing meetings, and opportunities to get together with friends could be a red flag,” Dr. Lewis says.

He advises family members and close friends, who often are the first to notice excessive drinking, to address the issue in a nonjudgmental way. Approaching the issue from a point of concern without being judgmental is always a good start, but don’t be discouraged if the first attempt fails.

“Someone with an alcohol use disorder may not have insight yet and may be reluctant to discuss it, so it will take more than one conversation or intervention,” he says. “Usually multiple approaches by a spouse, parent or close friend are needed before someone acknowledges it may be time to look at his or her habits and make a change.”

Once someone is receptive to getting help, knowing where to find resources is the next step.

In South Carolina, each county has an office of the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) that serves any South Carolina resident. DAODAS services vary by county and this information can be found on their website.

MUSC Health’s Center for Drug & Alcohol Programs (CDAP) offers a variety of outpatient addictions treatment options for adults 18 and over. CDAP is an innovative, comprehensive outpatient treatment center staffed by a team of clinicians who assess a patient’s addiction and mental health symptoms to recommend a personalized treatment plan, often including counseling and medication management.

Dr. Lewis says that 12-step community-based programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can work synergistically with treatments provided by healthcare professionals. 12-step community-based programs like AA are free, accessible, and provide valuable information on its website. Some meetings have gone to virtual models with COVID, and anyone can search for a local AA meeting online and participate by Zoom.

For anyone dealing with an alcohol use disorder, be it their own or that of a loved one, Dr. Lewis has encouraging words. “Alcohol use disorder is a condition that is treatable, and there are wonderful evidence-based treatments that work, including medication, therapy, a 12-step program, or some combination of multiple treatments. They can be highly effective when someone is ready to seek treatment.” 

 

For more information or to make an appointment, visit CDAP or call 843-792-5200.  To make an appointment with Dr. Lewis, call 843-792-1461.