Alcoholism Rehab

Alcoholism is the inability to control alcohol consumption, also known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). A woman can be considered an excessive drinker if they consume 8 or more drinks a week and 15 or more drinks for men. Although most excessive drinkers do not consider themselves alcohol dependent, it is still concerning. Whether it is a physical or emotional dependency, it’s a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible due to its negative effects on ones’ body.

Warning Signs

It is important to be aware and recognize these warning signs so that you can identify and determine the seriousness of the problem. Some warning signs include:

• Drinking by yourself or in secret
• Not being able to control the amount consumed
• Continued drinking even when it creates problems with your family, job, school, or social life
• Cancelling plans and giving up on hobbies to drink or to recover from drinking;
• Feeling an urge to drink
• Blacking out and not remembering long periods of time
• Engaging in risky behavior, such as drunk driving and having unsafe sex
• Feeling irritable when not drinking
• Experiencing nausea, shaking and vomiting when not drinking

Short and long term of effects of drinking

Negative short-term effects include:

• Dehydration
• Increased urine production
• Slurred speech
• Slowed reaction time
• Vomiting
• Impaired judgment
• Blackouts

Also, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can raise one’s risk of getting alcohol poisoning, which is a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention. Excessive drinking and continued use of alcohol are associated with many health problems, and drinking alcohol can negatively affects all major organs. Negative long-term effects brought on by regular heavy drinking include:

• Liver diseases: cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer
• Heart problems: heart failure and strokes
• Diabetes
• Cancer: liver, mouth, colon, and breast cancer, among others
• Dementia
• Erectile dysfunction
• Hypertension

Getting help

For someone to admit they a problem and them being open to seeking help is just the beginning, but an extremely important step towards maintaining sobriety. It is important for those with a drinking problem to seek professional assistance to assess the severity of the problem. One should not go through the detoxification process of alcohol alone because of the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms. They may include insomnia, high blood pressure, vomiting, fever, and seizures, which can lead to death. After the detox phase, one can find a rehab where they can understand their addiction and how to manage it. Addiction is a disease, but with peer support, therapy, and a healthy environment, one can achieve lasting sobriety. Contact us with any questions or inquiries at 833-LA-Rehab