10 Cold, dark winter days and holiday events and stress can be hard for those struggling with their alcohol use. It’s not always easy to tell someone they have a problem with alcohol — and it may be even harder to admit that you may have one yourself. However, now is a great time to get help or support loved ones. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is considered a medical condition. Its hallmark trait is an inability to control the use of alcohol despite the negative effects drinking is having on someone’s life. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. No matter how severe it is, though, there are treatments that can help. Warning signs Among the possible signs that someone has AUD: • They’ve had times when they drink more or longer than intended. • They’ve tried more than once to cut back on drinking or stop altogether, but they couldn’t. • They continue to drink even though it’s causing problems with friends, family, work, or school. • They’ve cut back on, or have stopped doing, favorite activities so they can drink more. • They’ve more than once done things while drinking — such as driving, swimming, using machinery, or having unprotected sex — that put them at risk for serious harm. • They find they have to drink more than they once did to get the effects they want. Why AUD is a problem Alcohol use can have serious impacts on someone’s health. It can lead to injuries from accidental falls and traffic crashes. It can cause miscarriage or other problems in pregnant women. Over the long term, chronic alcohol use can cause, among other things: • Heart disease, high blood pressure, and liver disease • Certain cancers • A weak immune system • Cognitive problems • Mental health problems How to stop drinking For many people, the first step is to admit they have a problem with alcohol. And that can be a very difficult thing to do. Take a hard look at the warning signs of AUD. Any of them are a cause for concern if you have them. The second step is to ask for support. That may mean talking to family and friends, as well as to your provider. Your provider can prescribe medications to help you quit drinking. They can also refer you to a mental health therapist who can help you identify any underlying causes for your alcohol use and better ways to deal with them. You may also want to join a mutualsupport group, like Alcoholics Anonymous. These kinds of groups are available in most communities at low or no cost. You also may be able to find a mutual-support group online. Presbyterian Health Plan also has resources to support you. Don’t wait to get help; go to www.phs.org/ virtualcare to schedule services for AUD through virtual care visits. You can also call the number on the back of your member ID card. If you or a loved one are having an emergency or any kind of emotional crisis or mental health or substance use concern, you can find help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please do one of these things to get help right away: • Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat online at www.988lifeline.org/chat. • Go to the nearest emergency facility. • Call 911. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; HelpGuide; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism When drinking becomes a problem Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate, or severe. No matter how severe it is, though, there are treatments that can help.
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