Drug And Alcohol Addiction Facts Are Stark And Startling, But We’re Here To Help Find The Cure That Works For You
Our culture seems to love a good time. Most towns and cities have bars where people go to socialize over drinks. Advertisements for beer, wine, and liquor are everywhere, from expensively produced TV commercials to ads at sporting events and in magazines.
So it’s no wonder that 23 million Americans suffer from alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Some people can drink in moderation and not suffer any consequences, while others become addicted.
Why some people become alcohol dependent depends on a variety of factors:
- Biology: Alcohol addiction can run in the family, and people with alcoholic relatives are often more at risk of developing alcohol dependence themselves.
- Environment: Lifestyle, economic status, stress, peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, and parental abuse are all factors from a person’s environment that can lead to alcohol addiction.
- Age: While alcohol abuse can strike anyone at any age, people who begin drinking during adolescence are especially vulnerable to alcohol addiction.
Any of these overall factors can contribute to a developing alcohol addiction. In short, there are as many causes of alcohol dependence as there are alcoholics.
But the effects of drug and alcohol addictions are well known and can be deadly. Alcohol dependence changes not only a person’s brain chemistry and behavior, but his physical health as well, leading to serious health problems.
And for the person suffering from alcohol addiction, life is a misery. Alcoholism relentlessly destroys families, careers, and lives. The good feelings an alcoholic once felt when drinking are long gone, and hope is hard to find.
When Drinking Away Your Problems Doesn’t Work: The First Step to Curing Alcohol Addiction Is Recognizing the Problem
The first step in treating alcohol addiction is recognizing the signs of alcohol abuse:
- Unexplainable changes in behavior, mood swings, and depression
- Decreased productivity at work and financial problems
- Obsession with drinking or only attending social functions where alcohol is served
- DUI offenses and other legal problems
- Sudden changes in social circles and isolation from friends and family
- Lying to cover up drinking and increased tolerance to alcohol
In many cases, alcohol abuse leads to alcohol addiction, and the person often denies he has a problem. This denial is why friends and family resort to interventions to get the alcohol abuser to realize he has a problem.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse Can Be Deadly
The next step is to seek professional help. Any addiction is difficult if not impossible to treat alone and without help. And if the alcohol addiction is severe or longstanding, to suddenly stop drinking could be dangerous, causing serious withdrawal symptoms and even death:
- Excessive sweating and shaking
- Nausea, headaches, and vomiting
- Severe anxiety and hyperactivity
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Convulsions and seizures
- Delirium Tremens (DTs)
- Heart attack, stroke, and death
Without proper medical supervision, alcohol withdrawal can lead to serious health problems. Most people with long-term alcohol addiction also suffer from other health problems, including malnutrition and brain damage.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Facilities Are Best Equipped to Deal with These Special Problems
Fortunately, with professional help, you can cure alcohol addiction. Many alcohol addiction treatment facilities exist to help those suffering from alcohol abuse recover their lives and health.
These alcohol addiction treatment facilities use a variety of methods, from traditional 12 step programs to alternative and biophysical treatment.
And it only takes one phone call to specially trained social workers and counselors. These addiction specialists will find the right alcohol recovery program for you, one that works with your health insurance plan or is within your budget.
In the past, most people would go to a traditional 12 step program, but today’s alcohol recovery programs come in all styles:
- Inpatient Rehab Programs: Medically supervised alcohol addiction detox and therapy offered in a comfortable residential setting that usually takes about 30 days.
- Outpatient Rehab Programs: Support groups and professional drug and alcohol recovery programs have helped thousands recover in their own time.
- Alternative Rehab Programs: All kinds of alternative approaches to alcohol recovery include non 12 step recovery programs, meditation therapy, physical therapy, drug therapy, and everything in between.
- Biophysical Rehab Programs: This drug-free approach to rehab includes nutritional therapy, group support, and educational programs to ensure complete recovery.
But very few alcoholics recover without seeking help, which can be a confusing process. That’s why we’re here: our professional drug and alcohol recovery counselors are standing by to help you find the alcohol recovery program that will get results.