Alcohol Dependence services offered in Port Hadlock and Port Angeles, WA

Many people enjoy an alcoholic drink occassionaly, but some people’s drinking becomes excessive and uncontrollable. If you develop alcohol dependence, Olympic Peninsula Health Services in Port Hadlock and Port Angeles, Washington, has a team of alcohol use disorder specialists who can help. They prescribe medications to treat alcohol dependence and work closely with chemical dependency agencies to provide direct referrals.

Call your nearest Olympic Peninsula Health Services office or complete the online booking form today to schedule an appointment to help with alcohol dependence.

What is alcohol dependence?

Alcohol dependence (alcohol use disorder or AUD) is where your alcohol intake reaches a consistently unhealthy level. You may consume large quantities of alcohol daily, be unable to get through the day without drinking, and develop symptoms of addiction or withdrawal if you don’t drink alcohol regularly.

According to the 2018 NSDUH (National Survey On Drug Use and Health), 14.1 million adults 18 years and older had alcohol use disorder, this included 9.2 million men and 5.3 million women. In our youth ages 12-17, an estimated 401,000 had AUD.

People often don’t realize they’re suffering from alcohol dependence because drinking is a legal socially encouraged habit. If you’re unsure whether you drink too much, ask yourself whether you:

  • Frequently have hangovers
  • Find it hard to function without drinking
  • Often feel the urge to drink
  • Suffer from blackouts or memory loss
  • Take risks when drinking
  • Use increasing quantities of alcohol
  • Use alcohol to cope with stress

If these signs sound familiar or your relationships, family life, and work are suffering because of your drinking but you can’t stop, talk to the Olympic Peninsula Health Services team about alcohol dependence treatment.

How does alcohol dependence develop?

Not everyone who drinks will develop alcohol use disorder, but the reasons it affects some people aren’t fully understood. There’s likely a genetic link, as substance use disorder often affects several family members. Your mental health, environment, upbringing, and many other factors could make you more vulnerable to alcohol dependence.

Research indicates that alcohol increases dopamine levels in the brain, making it addictive to some people. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical in your brain that gives you pleasurable feelings. If you experience this pleasure when drinking, it acts as a reward and encourages more drinking.

How is alcohol dependence treated?

Alcohol dependence is a form of addiction and it typically uses the same treatment principles. The Olympic Peninsula Health Services team specializes in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol dependence, combining medication with counseling and behavior modification therapies.

Naltrexone medication is particularly effective for alcohol dependence. It reduces your craving for alcohol by interfering with your brain’s dopamine reward system. Your provider might prescribe a monthly naltrexone injection (Vivitrol®) for alcohol dependence.

Therapy is also vital to your recovery from alcohol dependence. Working with a skilled addiction medicine therapist helps you understand why you’re at risk and manage your triggers. You can also learn better ways to deal with stress. Many people benefit from group therapy or attending support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.

Call Olympic Peninsula Health Services today or book an appointment online to benefit from the team’s expertise in treating alcohol dependence.