Alcohol use disorder (AUD) refers to a medical condition in which a person continues to drink despite negative consequences for their health, relationships, work, or daily functioning. It is a recognized clinical diagnosis that ranges from mild to severe, and it is one of the most common substance use disorders we treat across our network.
Alcohol use disorder rarely develops in isolation. For many people, drinking begins as a way to manage stress, sleep, social anxiety, or emotional pain, and over time the pattern of use becomes its own problem layered on top of the original one. Recognizing the medical and psychological complexity of AUD is the foundation of effective treatment.
Did you know? Recent national surveys estimate that approximately 28 million American adults experience alcohol use disorder each year, yet only a small fraction receive evidence-based treatment that combines medication and counseling.
It's vital to understand the distinction between general substance use treatment and a specialized approach to alcohol use disorder. While many of the same therapies apply across substances, AUD has unique medical, pharmacological, and physiological considerations. These include the risk of dangerous withdrawal, the specific medications approved for treatment, and the way alcohol interacts with co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
Our dedicated clinical team possesses the expertise and training required to manage these complexities. We ensure that patients receive balanced care that recognizes alcohol use disorder as a medical condition deserving the same evidence-based, medically grounded treatment as any other chronic illness.
At Porch Light Health, our alcohol use disorder treatment program combines evidence-based approaches that address both the physical dependence on alcohol and the patterns that sustain it.
For alcohol use disorder, we offer FDA-approved medications that reduce cravings, decrease the rewarding effects of alcohol, and support long-term recovery, including:
A prescriber on our team will review your medical history, current medications, liver function, and goals before recommending any of these. Medications work best when paired with counseling and ongoing medical follow-up.
Our psychiatric team specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions that co-occur with alcohol use disorder, including depression, anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions, and bipolar disorder. They provide medication management and ongoing assessment as part of an integrated care plan.
Our comprehensive behavioral health services include:
Counseling can take place in clinic, at a mobile site, or virtually. We use whichever format makes it most likely you'll keep your appointments.
For those whose alcohol use has reached the point where stopping causes withdrawal symptoms, we offer Ambulatory Medically Supervised Withdrawal Services (AMSWS) to help manage the initial withdrawal phase safely on an outpatient basis when clinically appropriate.
Severe alcohol withdrawal, including a history of seizures, hallucinations, or delirium tremens, requires inpatient or emergency care, and our team will help coordinate that level of care if needed.
For patients who need a more structured remote option, our virtual outpatient program and telehealth services provide medication management and counseling for people who can't easily reach an in-person clinic.
Alcohol use disorder treatment recognizes that recovery is rarely about willpower alone. It's a medical condition that responds to medical treatment, particularly when medication, counseling, and ongoing support are coordinated as part of a single plan rather than pieced together across disconnected providers.
Our integrated approach to alcohol use disorder ensures that patients receive treatment that combines behavioral therapies, medication management, and, when needed, psychiatric care tailored to their unique needs. For patients with co-occurring conditions, we coordinate dual diagnosis treatment so the underlying picture is treated alongside the drinking.
With over 60 clinic locations across Colorado and New Mexico, plus mobile sites and telehealth, our team is here to support you on your path toward lasting recovery.
Take that pivotal step toward a better tomorrow: reach out to us at 866-645-3095 or complete our patient registration form.
