Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Rehab
By Jonathan Huttner
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Alcoholism and Alcohol Rehab Alcoholism is a serious disease and the problem is growing. The National Council On
Alcoholism And Drug Dependence statistics reveal that approximately 18 million Americans suffer from alcohol
abuse.
Each year more
than 100,000 Americans die from alcohol related deaths and alcohol is a factor in nearly half of all traffic
fatalities.
Over half of the men and women in the United States report that one or more of their family members have an
alcohol abuse problem.
According to the National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism, alcoholism is a disease that has four main
components:
- Craving - An overwhelming need to drink
- Loss of Control - An inability to put the drink down
- Physical Dependence - After a period of heavy drinking withdrawal symptoms occur such as nausea, shaking,
and anxiety
- Tolerance - Needing greater amounts of alcohol to obtain a "high" Alcohol Abuse Complications
The complications to the body from alcohol abuse may include damage to the brain and central nervous system,
liver disorders, gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular problems, diabetes complications, sexual and menstrual
dysfunction, birth defects, neurological complications and increased risk of cancer.
| Long-term excessive drinking can lead to pancreatitis (that is, an inflammation of
the pancreas). Pancreatitis is associated with severe abdominal pain and excessive weight
loss and can result in death. |
There is no cure for alcoholism. Even if an alcoholic has long-term sobriety, he or she remains susceptible to
relapse. To guard against a relapse, an alcoholic must avoid drinking alcohol.
There is treatment for the disease and a chance to build a healthier lifestyle. Addiction treatment generally
depends on the severity of alcoholism and alcohol abuse. It may include the following:
- Detox and withdrawal-a process of safely removing alcohol from the body lasting from a period of days to
weeks.
- Assessment and treatment for medical problems related to physical damage from the disease
- Drug addiction treatment-some medications are used to reduce the craving for alcohol or to produce severe
physical reactions such as nausea and vomiting if one drinks while on the medication. Drug treatment does
not cure alcoholism nor will it remove the desire to drink.
- Individual/Group Counseling-There are effective methods of counseling that help the alcoholic to identify
feelings that trigger the urge to drink and alternatives to manage those feelings.
| The overriding plan of action when experiencing a possible alcohol overdose
situation is this: Do not take chances when someone's life is at stake. If you suspect
that a person has alcohol poisoning or is overdosing on alcohol, get immediate medical
assistance, even if the person is underage. |
 Checking in to a drug rehab or alcohol rehab program is an excellent
method of treatment for alcohol abuse. There are many types of addiction treatment or alcohol treatment
programs.
Some offer alcohol detox and inpatient addiction treatment and others offer shorter-term residencies, sober
living or outpatient counseling. When researching drug rehabs, ask what addiction treatment services they
offer.
If you are looking for an alcohol treatment program, alcohol rehab program or drug rehab program you can call 1-800-511-9225, a national alcohol
treatment program helpline.
| It is not clear whether starting to drink at an early age actually causes alcoholism
or whether it simply indicates an existing vulnerability to alcohol use disorders. For example,
both early drinking and alcoholism have been linked to personality characteristics such as strong
tendencies to act impulsively and to seek out new experiences and sensations. |
Jonathan Huttner is a principal with lakeview HealthySystems, an alcohol rehab and addiction
treatment program, with a specialty in dual diagnosis.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Huttner
| Alcohol use interacts with conditions such as depression and stress to contribute to
suicide, the third leading cause of death among people between the ages of 14 and 25. In one study,
37 percent of eighth grade females who drank heavily reported attempting suicide, compared with 11
percent who did not drink. |
| In spite of the debate in the medical, neurobiological, and psychological
research communities about the existence as well as the character of the addictive personality,
it is, however, observable and verifiable that brain functions contribute to different
addictions. Building on this perspective, many researchers currently believe that the
predisposition to addiction is more accurately a combination of psychological, biological, and
environmental factors. |
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