Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Help

Alcohol is a sedative-hypnotic. It is a powerful drug available to virtually anyone who wants to try it. It is estimated that 14 million people in the United States, 1 in every 13 adults, abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. Alcohol is one of the most sinister of drugs that draws a thin, usually imperceptible line between social use and addictive use. Alcoholics often do not know when they have become addicted to alcohol and usually do not realize they are out of control until it is too late.

When casual drinking turns to dependency drinking and finally to biochemically controlled drinking, this is when a person has become addicted to alcohol. Indeed, alcohol addicts often rely on alcohol as a crucial component of their personality – without a drink, they simply cannot be themselves.

Family members often try to protect an alcoholic from the results of their behavior by making excuses to others about their alcoholism and by getting them out of drug/alcohol-related jams. It is important to stop all such rescue attempts immediately so that the alcoholic will fully experience the harmful effects of their use and thereby become more motivated to stop.

If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or if you think a loved one has a problem, please call us today. We can help you find the best detox center for alcohol abuse and alcohol treatment programs that will best suit you/your needs. Please call us now.

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Alcohol Dependence

Alcoholism is also known as “alcohol dependence.” It is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.

Alcoholism includes four symptoms:

• Craving–A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
• Impaired control–The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
• Physical dependence–Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
• Tolerance–The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.

Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol is a drug. Alcohol is a depressant, which slows down thinking and actions. It acts on the brain and affects all parts of the body. An average-sized person’s liver can break down about one drink per hour; the rest of the alcohol circulates throughout the body, affecting behavior, judgment, perception, and motor skills – such as driving and operating machinery.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include sweating, rapid pulse, increased hand tremors, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, physical agitation, anxiety, auditory hallucinations, and the possibility of grand mal seizures. These physical and emotional symptoms may be extremely severe depending on the individual’s alcohol abuse history.

Know the Difference Between a Hangover and Alcohol Poisoning

When a person is known to have consumed large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time, it increases the chance of hangover and alcohol poisoning.

Signs of Hangover:

• Symptoms include fatigue, poor or decreased sleep, weakness, dry mouth, extreme thirst, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, and inability to concentrate.
• Usually goes away within 24 hours

Signs of alcohol poisoning:

• The person is unconscious and cannot be woken.
• The person has cold, clammy, unusually pale, or bluish skin.
• The person is breathing slowly or irregularly – usually, this means less than 8 times a minute or 10 seconds or more between any two breaths.
• The person vomits while passed out and does not wake up during or after.

When to seek help: If you or someone you know has symptoms of alcohol poisoning, you should call for immediate help. 

Treatment: Alcohol poisoning can’t be treated with rest, food, coffee, or other home remedies. Treatments focus on keeping vital signs stable and staying hydrated. 

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Social and Legal Problems

The more heavily you drink, the greater the potential for problems at home, at work, with friends, and even with strangers. These problems may include:

• Arguments with or separation from your spouse and other family members
• Strained relationships with coworkers
• Absence from or lateness to work with increasing frequency
• Loss of employment due to decreased productivity
• Committing or being the victim of violence.

Alcohol and Pregnancy

Drinking alcohol while you are pregnant can cause a range of birth defects, and children exposed to alcohol before birth can have lifelong learning and behavioral problems. The most serious problem that can be caused by drinking during pregnancy is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Children born with FAS have severe physical, mental, and behavioral problems. Because scientists do not know exactly how much alcohol it takes to cause alcohol-related birth defects, it is best not to drink any alcohol during this time.

Alcohol Effects on the Body

Because alcohol affects nearly every organ in the body, long-term heavy drinking increases the risk for many serious health problems, some of which are described below. Women may develop alcohol-related health problems sooner than men and from drinking less alcohol than men. Health problems often develop gradually and may become evident only after many years of heavy drinking, such as:

• Heart disease: Heavy drinking over a long period of time increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and some kinds of stroke.

• Cancer: Long-term heavy drinking increases the risk of certain forms of cancer, especially cancer of the esophagus, mouth, throat, and larynx (voice box). Research suggests that, in some women, as little as one drink per day can slightly raise the risk of breast cancer. Drinking may also increase the risk of developing cancer of the colon and rectum.

• Pancreatitis: The pancreas helps regulate the body’s blood sugar levels by producing insulin. The pancreas also has a role in digesting the food we eat. Long-term heavy drinking can lead to pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis can cause severe abdominal pain and can be fatal. Chronic pancreatitis is associated with chronic pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.

• Abuse of alcohol can cause damage to many of the body’s organs. Researchers report damage to brain tissue, heart muscle, and reproductive organs in both males and females. Alcohol may cause the drinker’s blood pressure to rise, putting him or her at risk for heart attack and stroke. Stomach ulcers, poor nutrition, and sexual dysfunction have all been related to alcohol abuse.

How We Can Help

There are many variations of therapies for addiction to alcohol or drugs. We can help take away some of the stress by helping you locate the best rehab center for yourself or your loved one. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and most other major insurance plans, including Tricare.

Our counselors are here to help you find the best detox and treatment program for alcoholism today. We can help you determine what your insurance will cover and explain the difference between programs offered at the many treatment centers in your area. If you have insurance through your work, your rehab stay may be free of charge. Call us now to find out more.

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Sources

• Alcohol Treatment
• Alcohol Abuse Rehabs
• Content Writer: Erik Epp