Your Wellbeing: Overcoming alcohol dependence

Kayla Smith

August 16, 2024 at 10:33 AM·2 min read

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Millions of Americans have alcohol use disorder, meaning drinking is causing mental and physical harm in their lives.

“They’re trapped with a lot of struggles that hinder their ability to excel,” said His Way Director of Ministry Tom Reynolds.

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The team at His Way Recovery Center has worked with hundreds of men overcoming addiction. Reynolds said the program brings together people from all walks of life.

“Our guys are amazed,” Reynolds said. “Here’s a dentist sitting across from me who struggles with the same things I do, and all of a sudden they realize we’re all in this together.”

Alcohol dependence can begin with overconsumption. About 18% of Alabama men and 8% of women in the state binge drink. Binge drinking occurs when someone consumes more than five drinks in one day.

Alcohol misuse can increase the likelihood of health concerns.

“There’s actually a term some heart doctors sometimes use called Holiday Heart,” said Dr. Ross Farris, a cardiologist at Madison Health Center. “When patients do binge drink their more likely to have an abnormal heart rhythm.”

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People who begin drinking when they are very young, those with a family history of addiction and people with mental health conditions are more likely to develop problems with alcohol, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

The more someone drinks, the higher the risk of damage to their body.

“They’re more likely to have a number of health conditions including liver disease, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms and some types of cancer like breast cancer or esophageal cancer,” Farris said.

Resources are available for those seeking help.

“Addiction is born in isolation. It’s born when I try to do it myself, and really, sobriety is really started in community,” Reynolds said. “If you want to be successful, you have to work a program.”

A drinking problem damages more than just the individual, it is felt by everyone in their life.

“Families that have addiction, have a lot of dysfunction in itself, and there’s more problems than just substance abuse there,” Reynolds said. “When you can start getting to the root of those and dealing with those, the family can start healing as well. Mamas and daddies and aunts and uncles and grandpas and grandmas can start really experiencing that kind of transformation through someone in recovery.”

There are many programs and support groups ready to help.

Alcoholics Anonymous