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.
| 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. |
According to the National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism, alcoholism is a disease that has four main components:
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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.
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. |
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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. |
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| 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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