Alcohol dependency affects people across the globe, but there are many cases right here in Norman, OK. Affected people feel helpless, and might wonder whether they will ever be free of their addiction. Yet every one of these people has a chance to reclaim their family, friendships and relationships with the help of alcohol addiction treatment. Recovery is possible regardless of your age or history, so stop the cycle of dependency today with an alcohol rehab program.
Licensed staff and professionals treat alcohol dependency from both physical and psychological perspectives, giving all patients the tools they need to resist substance abuse and start changing their lives. Take the first step toward recovery by speaking with a dependency professional at 405-583-4319. Call today!
Risks of Alcoholism and Alcohol Addiction
Due to the complex effects of alcohol on the human body, drinkers can develop a variety of health complications both mental and physical. Liver problems are the best known of these and can include steatosis (fatty liver), alcoholic hepatitis (liver irritation) and cirrhosis (hardening). As the liver is responsible for filtering toxins from the bloodstream, serious damage can lead to a slow and painful death.
Other organs at risk include the pancreas, which produces toxins in response to alcohol and can become inflamed (pancreatitis). Cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, liver, and breasts may also result. Additionally, heavy drinking — even on rare occasions — weakens the immune system and increases susceptibility to diseases like influenza and tuberculosis.
Other medical conditions common among alcoholics are heart damage, stretching of the heart, abnormal heartbeat, and stroke. Negative effects on mental health are also common. Even occasional binge drinking can have unhealthy consequences, such as:
- decreased inhibitions
- motor impairment
- confusion
- coma
- breathing problems
- death
Misuse of alcohol will also increase the chances of:
- vehicle accidents
- violent and risky behavior
- suicide
- homicide
In short, alcohol has many negative effects on the body and mind. Those with alcohol use disorders frequently have other mental disorders as well. Because of this, alcohol rehab treatments address all aspects of alcohol use from intervention services, to detox, to treatment and recovery.
Taking the First Step
In most cases, the hardest thing for an alcoholic to do is to admit to having a problem. This is often the result of simple denial, but can also come from fear of being shamed by their loved ones. If you feel your loved one is stuck in a cycle of alcohol abuse, it may be time to plan an intervention.
In an intervention, family and friends gather to confront the addicted person out of concern for that person’s health. The goal is to convince the person to enter rehab and provide the emotional support they need to take that difficult first step.
Alcohol Rehab & Detox
Usually the first step in treatment is detoxification. This is where the alcohol user stops drinking and allows the body to rid itself of alcohol and other toxins. Withdrawal symptoms are likely and may include:
- Shakiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety or depression
- Migraines
- Seizures
- Rapid pulse
- Insomnia
- Blackouts
Because symptoms can be serious or even fatal, experts strongly recommend that alcohol users detox with a trained clinical staff in a medical setting. Self-detox can prove dangerous not only because of withdrawals but also because serious alcoholics rearrange their lives around their drinking. Any friends they have left are probably enablers, and the substance is legal and easy to find. Thus it is all too easy to give up on a self-detox attempt. Treatment in a detox facility is not only safer, but also provides positive reinforcement from others engaged in the same struggle for sobriety.
It is important to note that while detox breaks a person’s physical dependence on alcohol, there is also a psychological component to the addiction. This can only be addressed with long-term rehabilitation treatment, without which detox is unlikely to lead to recovery.
A detox admission specialist can give you more information about alcohol use disorders, treatment facilities, and ways to deal with alcohol abuse.
Customized Alcohol Rehab Programs
Everyone is unique, and thus no two people have exactly the same needs in treatment. Alcohol rehab programs can last 28 days, 60 days, or 90 days depending on the patient’s circumstances. In most cases, the longer an addicted person stays in rehab, the more effective therapy is, and the more prepared they will be to maintain their sobriety.
During intake, treatment professionals examine each patient in order to create the most effective treatment programs possible. They not only provide custom-designed alcohol rehab programs at affordable costs, but also top-quality 24-hour care.