Alcohol Rehab Treatment Center
Ever wondered why people drink alcohol? Like in the case of other drugs, alcohol can be inviting to some because it offers an escape from their problems. Others see it as a way to fit into a certain peer group or circle which showcases alcohol drinking as a status symbol; peer pressure is a frequent trigger for beginning alcohol abuse.
Alcoholism and You
Alcoholism is one of the most common types of addiction. While it can provide the drinker with a temporary feeling of satisfaction, its effects—both short- and long-term—can be devastating. It affects not only physical health but emotional and social well-being. It can also result in unintentional injuries and even loss of life.
Some of the signs that a person has been drinking far too quickly or drank too much include slurred speech, vomiting, drowsiness, headaches, upset stomach, distorted vision and hearing, impaired judgment, and unconsciousness or blackouts.
In the long run, drinking alcohol has no or limited positive effects on a person and could be detrimental not only to him or her but also to the people around him. The following are some commonly identified results of long-term alcoholism and binge drinking:
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Accidents such as a car crash, burns, falls, and drowning
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Intentional injuries such as sexual assault, ones made by means of a firearm, and domestic violence
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On-the-job injuries and decline in work productivity
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Higher number of family issues and broken relationships
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Alcohol poisoning
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Liver disease
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High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases
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Nerve damage
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Permanent damage to the brain
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Vitamin B1 deficiency which can cause disorders characterized by apathy, amnesia, and disorientation
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Ulcers and gastritis or the inflammation of stomach walls
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Malnutrition
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Cancer of the mouth and throat
Who is at Risk?
How does alcohol addiction begin? Some people turn to alcohol to escape difficulties in their lives while others drink for leisure. Either way, people who drink or are exposed to alcohol are at risk of getting addicted or worse—injured and endangered in ways that can’t be predicted.
According to the addiction advocate group Drug Free World, the youngest victims of alcoholism are unborn babies whose mothers drink during pregnancy. The group explained that after mothers consume alcohol, it enters their bloodstream and pass through the placenta, exposing the fetus to the substance.
Alcoholism and Alcohol Addiction Treatment
While the problem with alcohol addiction has reached serious heights, there is still hope for alcohol addicts. According to WebMD, many alcoholics who are otherwise in good health and receive social support and motivation have been able to back on their feet and achieve rehabilitation. In fact, the health website said that about 50 percent to 60 percent of all alcohol addicts have a chance at ‘staying dry’ and maintaining the main goal of alcohol addiction treatments and rehabilitation which is abstinence.
Treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholism and alcohol addiction must be conducted by medical experts. His House alcohol treatment centers cater to the different needs of every individual. Our alcohol rehab facilities offer exercise programs, nutrition planning and various therapeutic methods to help speed recovery from alcoholism . However, rehabilitation and treatment can only begin when the patient accepts that there is a problem and reaches out for help.
Stages of Treatment for Alcoholism and Alcohol Addiction
After the patient accepts his condition and decides to stop drinking, he should understand that treatment is available. Alcohol addiction treatment normally covers three stages, namely:
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Detoxification. More popularly known as “detox,” this stage of treatment entails cleansing of the body right after the first day of abstinence from alcohol use. Because a sudden stop in an addiction can oftentimes cause withdrawal symptoms like seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens (DT), it is important that the patient undergoes detox immediately after he or she stops drinking. Alcohol withdrawal is considered a medical emergency.
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Rehabilitation. The next stage of treatment is rehabilitation, which involves counseling, talk therapy, and medications to aid the patient in maintaining sobriety. This part of the treatment cycle can be done either inside an alcohol rehabilitation center or via outpatient visits to a medical practitioner. Both options are deemed equally effective, but some patients may prefer one over the other due to his or her individual circumstances.
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Maintenance. After getting detoxified and rehabilitated, the patient should work towards maintenance of sobriety. This stage requires the patient to maintain focus on his goal of ‘staying dry.’ While it can be achieved by mere determination, success in this stage may require the help of others who understands and have undergone the similar situation which is why alcoholics are recommended to participate in support groups like the Alcoholics Anonymous. In these groups, the patient is assigned a sponsor who provides support in keeping him sober.
Benefits of Receiving Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Undergoing professional alcoholism rehabilitation, though difficult, has its perks. These include medical stabilization where the facility or professional care provider helps the patient survive the withdrawal symptoms, which can sometimes be life-threatening. It can also increase the safety of the patient, especially if there is a chance of underlying psychiatric issues that could put the patient or others in harm’s way.
Prevention of relapse and therapeutic intervention can also be a plus for professional rehabilitation centers, especially inpatient ones because they are able to monitor the patient’s progress on a day-to-day basis. The patient can also gain much-needed support from peers in the facility as well as proper family support, guidance so that they can provide appropriate aftercare for the patient.
No matter how deeply hooked a person is to alcohol, there is always a way out. That in itself is a benefit of alcoholism treatment. Knowing you can quit and can flourish after quitting is the best thing an alcoholic should remember during the difficult stages of rehabilitation.
