Alcohol addiction is the compulsive need for beer, wine and hard liquors or basically anything containing Alcohol. Alcohol’s intoxicating ingredient is Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, found in all types and brands of alcohol. Alcohol Addiction and the need for Treatment affect millions of lives annually, directly and most certainly indirectly when one considers the trickle down effects. Alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse kill well over 400,000 people each year, more than all other drugs combined.
When someone craves alcohol and cannot limit or contain his or her drinking that’s called alcoholism. When someone suffering an addiction to alcohol tries to stop drinking they very often experience withdrawal symptoms, like nausea, sweating, shakiness, or anxiety. And just as with drugs, over time it takes more and more alcohol to get that ‘high.’
Many people say it’s just a question of will power, and anyone addicted to alcohol should just decide and stop drinking. Unfortunately, alcohol addiction is more complicated than that. An alcoholic’s craving is so great that it suppresses the will or ability to stop drinking. Most alcoholics need alcohol Addiction Treatment to stop drinking.
With an effective alcohol addiction treatment program and support from family and friends, many have been able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives. Regrettably effective alcohol addiction treatment is often underestimated by those addicted looking for that quick fix.
Many alcohol addiction treatment programs are only 28-30 days in length and are of two varieties. One addiction treatment program methodology employed is the traditional twelve step model and the other being a dual diagnosis treatment program. A traditional twelve step 30 day alcohol addiction treatment program generally achieves a 2-8% success rate as many needing alcohol addiction treatment fail to follow through with the 90 meetings in 90 days and obtaining a sponsor as required. A dual diagnosis alcohol addiction treatment program uses the twelve steps to treat the alcohol addiction and drugs to treat the associated psychiatric disorder supposedly causing the addiction and relying on the myth of the chemical imbalance causing the need to drink alcohol.
Alcohol addiction is a devastating problem in United States that affects millions of people yearly; those needing alcohol addiction treatment deserve honest guidance when seeking help.
Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
The symptoms vary on the basis of the stage of alcoholism. Alcohol addiction and dependency is highlighted by withdrawal symptoms, of which morning tremors are a common sign. Secretive drinking, lying about consumption and unreliable behavior and speech are some of the signs of alcohol addiction. Alcohol addicts are prone to depression, violence and unstable behavior.
There are many behind the scenes mechanics associated with any addiction that cause those suffering from addiction, particularly alcohol addiction to exhibit symptoms that could be mistaken for psychiatric disorders. Very often those suffering alcohol addiction will suffer depression which makes sense since alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and causes depression.
The mechanics of the depression run like this, the alcohol triggers a release of neurotransmitters or what many call the “feel good chemicals” in the brain, thereby depleting the natural supply and becoming the dependent upon the alcohol as a substitute causing the person to drink more and more.
With the natural supply of the neurotransmitters gone, obviously the alcoholic does not have chemicals needed to maintain a sense of well being and subsequently feels worse. Given that it takes well over 100 days for the brain to start functioning normally again with an ample supply of the “feel good chemicals” many alcohol addiction Treatment Centers will opt for the medical model of alcohol addiction treatment. Unfortunately due to the inability of the person to think or act normal he or she is diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder that best fits the “guesstimation” of the mental health professional performing the assessment.
During this time those in need of alcohol addiction treatment will have mood swings, depression and overall inability of cope with everyday life. This is where many alcohol addiction treatment programs fall short as the actual underlying problem being suppressed by the drugs prescribed in a dual diagnosis alcohol addiction treatment program is never handled.
Alcohol Addiction Physical Effects
Alcohol addiction affects every organ in the alcoholic’s body and can damage a developing fetus. Alcohol Intoxication can impair brain function and motor skills; alcohol addiction increases risk of certain cancers, stroke, and liver disease.
The drastic effects of alcohol addiction are known to all. Some of the common effects of alcoholism are as follows:
• Liver Cirrhosis
• Pancreatitis
• Epilepsy
• Polyneuropathy
• Sexual dysfunction
• Nutritional deficiencies
An excessive binge on alcohol can also cause alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal, many young people lose their lives as a result of being ignorant of this fact.
Alcohol addiction and the need for treatment does not come about overnight and sadly does not go away overnight. Alcohol addiction treatment programs of 90 days or longer that offer a complete physical detoxification and a social education component work far better.
