Symptoms of Alcohol use disorder vary in frequency and severity. These symptoms usually ebb and flow into periods of intoxication and periods of withdrawal. Alcohol intoxication happens as the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream increases. The higher the blood-alcohol concentration is, the more likely the drinker is to experience unstable moods, slurred speech, and even blackouts. When people who are heavily dependent on alcohol suddenly stop drinking. Symptoms may include sweating, tremors, nausea, anxiety, hallucinations, and occasionally seizures.

Treatments for alcohol use disorder are highly individualized, but often require continuing support – as alcohol use disorder is considered a chronic condition. Since people with alcohol use disorder may have co-occurring mental health conditions – or even other types of substance use disorder –  professionals tend to treat them together. 

Alcohol use disorder is a chronic disease. This means that it is not curable – but it is treatable with tools and methods that help patients manage their condition for the long term. Treatments for getting sober can be just as successful as treating any other disease.