Alcohol, like any other intoxicant, is very addictive. Alcohol addiction is a serious problem. Not only is it harmful to one’s physical and mental health, but it also destroys alcohol addiction treatment one’s personal and social life.
A person with alcohol addiction is a threat to his own life and the lives of friends and family. Many people wreck their personal relationships and drink away their finances. If one finds oneself in such a situation, it is highly advisable to seek alcohol addiction treatment.
Alcohol Addiction: An Overview
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol addiction, is a disorder that affects people from all walks of life. Research experts have spent a lot of time studying this problem and have pinpointed aspects such as sex, genetics, socioeconomics, or race that might make someone susceptible to alcohol addiction.
Alcohol addiction can manifest itself in a lot of ways. The severity of the disorder, how occasionally someone drinks, and the amount of alcohol someone consumes differs from one person to another.
Some people consume alcohol all day, every day, while others go on week-long drinking sprees and then keep sober for some weeks. Irrespective of how it looks, someone has an alcohol addiction if they frequently partake in binge drinking and have trouble staying sober for an extended period.
Drinking is pretty common for many people. Unlike drugs such as heroin or cocaine, alcohol is available far and wide and socially accepted in cultures.
Thus, alcoholism can be difficult to perceive. When it is fairly common in social circles, it can be difficult to tell the difference between somebody who likes having a few drinks now and then and somebody who has a real problem.
It is important to note that alcohol addiction is a real problem. Continuous drinking can damage the liver. It causes changes to the brain’s neurochemistry, so someone with an alcohol addiction may not be able to control themselves or even be aware of something questionable they did while under the influence.
Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
A few symptoms of alcoholism are as follows:
- Increase in the frequency or quantity of use.
- Drinking at unfitting times or places, like early in the morning, or in the workplace.
- Avoiding gatherings where there is no alcohol and wishing to be where alcohol is.
- Avoiding communication with friends and family.
- Depending on alcohol to function in day to day life.
- Increased depression, lethargy, or other emotional problems.
- Professional or legal problems such as being fired from a job or getting arrested.
- Trouble in managing one’s finances.
As the addiction worsens over time, it is important to pay attention to early warning signs. If identified and sent for alcohol addiction treatment, someone with alcoholism can avoid a major catastrophe.
Health Concerns Associated with Alcohol Addiction
- Heart Problems
- Liver Damage
- Ulcers
- Diabetes
- Increase in risk of cancer
- Weakens Immunity
It also causes serious mental health issues like depression, anxiety, a sense of alienation, and even suicidal tendencies. These complications are the reasons why it is urgent to treat alcoholism as early as possible. Almost all risks linked with alcoholism are treatable with full long-term recovery.
Options for alcohol addiction treatment
If one is concerned about someone who is an alcoholic, it is advisable to approach them with full support. It is best to avoid making the person feel guilty or shaming them since this could push them away and make them impervious to being helped. For the treatment to work, the person with the addiction must desire sobriety.
An initial alcohol addiction treatment option for someone is an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation scheme. An inpatient program can be as long as 30 days to one year. It can help one in coping with withdrawal and other emotional challenges.
Outpatient treatment facilities provide routine support for a person staying at home. Alcohol addiction treatment forums provide extensive inpatient treatment options which include medication, psychotherapy, and holistic options like meditation and yoga, among other things.
Many people with alcohol addiction also look into 12-step programs. These programs help in building trust and faith in people coping with alcoholism.
Communities such as Cadabam’s can surely help anyone struggling with alcoholism in dealing with the challenges of sobriety in everyday life. These communities also exchange similar experiences and offer sober and healthy friendships.
These communities make an alcoholic person responsible, and readily provides them with a place to fall back on, in case of a relapse. Alcoholism is an issue that plagues many individuals and households, and it is always better to seek professional help for a full recovery.
