Alcohol has been a part of our society since ages; hence, it is often considered more of a recreational drink than a substance of abuse. However, alcohol abuse can lead to various problems. In addition to causing liver diseases, cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal problems, and unintentional injuries, alcohol abuse has been linked to a range of mental health issues, varying from depression to suicide. When left untreated, alcohol use disorders (AUDs) can take a toll on the emotional and physical well-being of individuals and their family members. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nearly 88,000 lives are lost due to alcohol-related causes each year, making alcohol the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the United States.
Alcohol in America
There is a long history related to efforts to manage alcohol abuse in the United States. In the 19th century, the Temperance Movement flourished throughout the country and culminated in 1920 with the Prohibition Era and the passage of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which made it illegal to produce, transport or sell alcohol in the United States. Unfortunately, it had little to no effect on the amount of alcohol Americans consumed, and the effort was abandoned in 1933 with the passage of the 21st Amendment that repealed the 18th one.
The 1930s also saw the establishment of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) a self-help program. Using the 12-Steps of recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous continues to flourish even today. In 2011, Alcoholics Anonymous counted approximately 2 million members worldwide. Thankfully, the understanding of alcohol abuse and addiction and alcoholism treatment methods has also come a long way.
Alcohol use and abuse: Health effects
As alcohol depresses the activity of the central nervous system, its users may experience following effects:
Altered speech
Hazy thinking
Slowed reaction time
Dull hearing
Impaired vision
Weakened muscles
Foggy memory
When left unchecked, alcohol abuse can cause a range of complications and increase one’s risk of developing a variety of health problems, including the following:
Cardiomyopathy – stretching and drooping of heart muscle
Arrhythmias – irregular heartbeat
Stroke
High blood pressure
Steatosis, or fatty liver
Alcoholic hepatitis
Fibrosis
Cirrhosis
Pancreatitis
Certain cancers
Memory loss
Brain damage
Blackouts
Nausea and vomiting
Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety
Because of the legal status accorded to alcohol across the U.S., there is a misconception that alcohol is less harmful than illicit street drugs. The truth is that even when consumed in moderation, alcohol produces a plethora of dangerous side effects, affecting nearly every organ in the body and leading to a variety of diseases, thereby, making alcohol rehabs even more important.
Of particular concern in recent years has been the phenomenon of binge drinking, i.e. the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period that elevates a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. Binge drinking has significant social consequences with marked losses in productivity, increase in health care costs, other expenses and criminal activities. This makes seeking timely treatment for alcohol abuse a no-choice situation for the user.
Alcohol abuse: Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse mostly depend on a number of factors, including a person’s background and medical history. However, some common ones signify the likelihood of an abuse. Some of these are:
Inability to limit the consumption
Sparing significant time of the day in obtaining, drinking, or recovering from alcohol abuse
Strong cravings or urges to drink alcohol
Repeated alcohol use, interfering with personal and professional obligations
Continued alcohol consumption irrespective of its harmful health consequences
Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies
Using alcohol in situations where it’s not safe, such as driving or swimming
Developing tolerance to alcohol
Erratic and violent behavior
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — when not drinking
Someone who is exhibiting these symptoms should visit a rehab for help as soon as possible. Alcohol addiction treatments available at a rehab center will normally include supervised detoxification treatment and therapeutic treatment methods that help a person combat his/her alcohol addiction.
Why choose us?
Texas provides comprehensive programs to people who are in need of treatment for alcohol abuse. Our programs include medically supervised detox program to treat addiction and intense behavioral therapies or counseling sessions to address the underlying issues that could be fueling addictive behavior.
We follow a holistic approach to treatment at all our state-of-the-art centers. This ensures that not only the physical symptoms but also the complex mental and behavioral triggers are identified and addressed simultaneously. In addition to offering supervised alcohol detox treatment, our patients also benefit from evidence-based therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), neurofeedback, individual, group, and family therapy; psychoanalytic therapy, psychodynamic therapy and experiential therapies, among others. By taking care of the patients’ individual as well as societal needs, we facilitate their overall recovery.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of alcohol addiction, it is time to seek professional treatment for alcohol abuse. Drug rehab in Texas offers alcohol rehab treatment for men and women 18 years of age and older. Our approach to alcohol addiction recovery employs evidence-tested treatment modalities provided by a staff of committed, compassionate professionals. For more information about rehabilitation for alcohol abuse or to locate the finest alcohol detox centers near you, call our 24/7 helpline. You can even chat online with our representatives for further assistance.