CBT works by helping you explore how your thought patterns affect your reactions and behaviors so you can learn new ways of responding to emotions. AUD makes it harder to process thoughts and regulate emotions and behaviors, leading to mental, physical, and emotional symptoms. Complications https://ecosoberhouse.com/ arising from alcohol usage may manifest as bleeding disorders, anemia, gastritis, ulcers, or pancreatitis. Laboratory tests may indicate anemia, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, hyponatremia, hyperammonemia, or decreased vitamin B12 and folate levels as the advanced liver disease progresses.
The accumulated evidence suggests that providing integrated mental health and AOD treatment to dually diagnosed patients improves outcome compared with traditional, nonintegrated approaches. More research is needed, however, before definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of integrated treatment can be reached. Severe mental disorders frequently are complicated by comorbid disorders, such as medical illnesses, mental retardation, and AOD abuse. Co-occurring AOD-use disorders represent the most frequent and clinically most significant comorbidity among mentally ill patients, and alcohol is the most commonly abused drug (Cuffel 1996).
Differential Diagnosis
Alcohol withdrawal can usually be treated outside of the hospital, but some severe cases do require hospitalization. Another way to look at your drinking habits is to think about how much you have during an average week. For women, “heavy” or “at risk” drinking means more than seven drinks per week or more than three in any day. A 2020 review found that 12-step groups could even be more effective at increasing abstinence rates than other forms of treatment.
Still, only a small number of people with AUD need medical care during this process. Unfortunately, many individuals with this disorder do not seek medical attention until they encounter health issues or become entangled in legal complications. The consequences of AUDs extend beyond mere addiction, profoundly impacting the lives of family members and friends and causing disruptions in interpersonal and professional relationships.
Alcohol Use Disorder
Much of our current knowledge of homeless adults with dual disorders comes from National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism initiatives funded by the Stewart B. McKinney Act (Huebner et al. 1993). These initiatives include a 3-year, 14-project demonstration to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions for homeless adults with AOD-related problems. Two of the projects specifically aud mental health have targeted homeless people with co-occurring severe mental illnesses and AOD-use disorders. Clinicians should encourage patients to attend AA meetings and consider involving their family members in recovery. If AA attendance alone proves insufficient, clinicians may need to explore pharmacological therapies as an additional intervention to assist patients with AUDs.
