In the United States, 14.5 million people aged 12 and older struggled with alcoholism in 2019. Moreover, alcohol is responsible for 18.5% of emergency room visits and was the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States as of 2019. Despite its prevalence, just over 7% of those struggling with alcoholism received treatment in this same year.
One of the reasons many people continue to abuse alcohol is to avoid alcoholism withdrawal symptoms. While there are ways to avoid alcohol withdrawal syndrome, it requires professional treatment to do so. Before seeking treatment to help stop drinking, it’s important to understand current statistics on alcoholism, what it is, why alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur and how treatment can help.
Florida Alcohol Abuse Statistics
Alcohol abuse is an issue in every state around the country, including Florida. While it can occur in just about any area, resources tend to be available in some of the larger metro areas. In Florida, they include:
Understanding alcoholism trends starts with the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This survey provides insights on usage trends for alcohol, tobacco and illicit substances. The 2019 survey showed an average of 770,000 Floridians reported past-year issues with problematic drinking. At 4.2%, this was similar to the regional average of 4.5% but lower than the national average of 5.3%.

An Overview of Alcohol Use Disorder
Someone who unwinds with a glass of wine after work on occasion or drinks at social gatherings isn’t the same as someone with a drinking issue. Alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism as it is colloquially known, is defined as an inability to control or cease alcohol use despite a wide array of consequences. It’s considered a brain disorder that can manifest in three iterations: mild, moderate or severe.
One of the things that makes this disorder unique is the extent to which it causes lasting changes in the brain. These changes make it hard for individuals to control the disorder and cause increased vulnerability to relapse.
Alcoholism is characterized by some of the following behaviors:
An assessment of these symptoms and others may be rendered by a substance abuse treatment professional, who’ll use them to establish criteria for alcohol use disorder as noted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This helps determine if the disorder is mild (two to three symptoms), moderate (four to five symptoms) or severe (six or more symptoms).
Alcoholism Risk Factors
The truth is that anyone can develop alcohol use disorders and the withdrawal symptoms that come with this issue. However, there are some risk factors that make certain Florida residents more susceptible than others.
Early Drinking
The earlier an individual begins using alcohol, the more likely they are to drink heavily to the point of developing addiction. In fact, research shows that drinking before age 15 increases the chances that an individual will struggle with drinking as an adult by up to five times, compared to those who wait until age 21 or older.
Family History
Family history and genetics also play a role in the prevalence of alcoholism. The combination of a person’s genes and their environment can make them more likely to drink to the point of abuse than those who don’t have this type of family history. This goes hand-in-hand with the age at which people are most likely to begin drinking.
Mental Health Conditions
A wide array of mental health conditions can contribute to alcoholism, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Individuals often attempt to address mental health symptoms with alcohol intake, which typically makes both situations worse. Given that alcohol is a depressant, it can especially be challenging to manage mental illnesses like depression through drinking.
Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptom
The signs of acute alcohol withdrawal can be significantly uncomfortable, sending many people back to drinking heavily just to avoid them. In some situations, it’s dangerous to suddenly stop drinking. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
More severe withdrawal symptoms include:
Of the various alcohol withdrawal symptoms, delirium tremens may be the most serious. In the context of the alcohol withdrawal timeline, it starts between two and five days after a person’s last alcohol consumption and can be fatal. Delirium tremens is characterized by sudden and significant mental and nervous system changes due to the abrupt absence of alcohol from the body. It’s considered a medical emergency, and severe cases may even require intensive care in a hospital setting.
Navigating alcohol withdrawal symptoms without the help of a medical professional can be dangerous for those with an alcohol addiction. Alcohol dependency takes a toll on the body, and while it may seem more dangerous to continue engaging in a behavior that’s causing harm, it can also be life-threatening when the alcohol level suddenly drops in the body. Chronic alcohol use requires a very carefully controlled alcohol detox process to ensure the safety of the user and avoid any life-threatening issues.
Targeted alcoholism treatment for alcohol dependence can’t begin until the detoxification process is complete. This typically takes one to two weeks, though it can take longer for more severe cases of alcoholism. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can change quickly and aggressively, which is why professional oversight is so imperative at this stage of recovery. In addition to monitoring vital signs, checking for high blood pressure and heart rate, treatment professionals will also help you with any discomfort you might feel as your body adjusts to the lack of alcohol.
Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment Options
Because of the dangers of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, it’s important to work with a professional who understands the risks of severe alcohol dependence. A range of options are available to help treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome and alcoholism in tandem, and these can even be beneficial for mild withdrawal symptoms. Once you’ve navigated alcohol detoxification, you can focus on treatment that will sustain you through the first phase of sobriety.
Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment in Florida
Given the dangers of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, it’s imperative to get proper treatment to stop drinking completely. Behavioral Health Centers is a one-of-a-kind treatment center in Port St. Lucie that offers professional intervention for alcohol withdrawal and subsequent treatment for alcohol use disorder. Experienced, licensed staff members are on hand to help customize a treatment program that includes a detox element to ease the discomfort of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Call 772-774-3872 today to find out how our Florida alcohol withdrawal program can help you regain control of your life.