Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol goes by many names, including firewater, booze, sauce, and brew. Sure, alcohol has a way of making a dull time feel like the best time of your life. It also has the ability to hide your anxieties and release your stress. The darker side to alcohol is that it’s hard on your brain cells, makes you sad, and pushes you to your limits quicker. Alcohol has been around forever, and because of that, people think that it’s an acceptable habit to pick up. What society won’t tell you is how dangerous these drinks can be.

Short Term Effects of Alcohol

Bing drinking comes with multiple short-term side effects including:

Injuries — Especially if one isn’t being responsible. Motor accidents, pedestrian accidents, and serious falls are all commonly heard of.
Domestic Violence — Strong language, shorter tempers, and aggressive behavior with strangers.
Alcohol Poisoning — When the body takes on more than it can handle.
Unsolicited Sexual Behavior — Assault, higher chance of contracting STD, including HIV.
Pregnancy Complications — Still births, and mental disorders in newborns.

Long Term Effects of Alcohol

If an addict has been drinking for a long time, their chances for significant health issues skyrocket. Some of the most common diseases include, but are not limited to:

Stroke, liver disease, high blood pressure
Breast Cancer
Mouth Cancer
Throat Cancer
Liver Cancer
Colon Cancer
Dementia
Depression / Anxiety

//healingproperties.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/alcohol-illness.jpg

Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawals depend entirely on how long alcohol has been a part of an individual’s life. If one has been addicted for many years, the process will be more painful than that of someone who has been addicted for a shorter period of time. The withdrawal symptoms can flare up within 6 hours of the last glass.

Some of the most common mild side affects include:

Anxiety
Shaking Hands
Massive Headache
Nausea / Vomiting
Insomnia/ Night Sweats

If those sound bad, just image what the peak of withdrawal feels like. Symptoms include:

Hallucinating
Seizure
Delusions
Confusion
High Heart Rate
High Blood Pressure
Fever

Treating Alcohol Addiction

//healingproperties.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/alcohol-therapy.jpg

There are numerous approaches to treating alcohol addiction. Each individual is different, meaning that each person’s journey will be unique. That’s why it’s crucial though to match the treatment method to the needs of the patient. For example, therapy can include cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management. The idea behind cognitive therapy is to help patients pinpoint the root cause of their addiction. By working backwards in time, patients are able to be more aware of their motivations, triggers, and low moments. At Healing Properties, we strive to bring therapy into our sober home, so that we can continue to prepare residents for their sober future. Therapy pairs well with health and wellness, family programs, and group therapy.

Alcohol History and Culture

Alcohol, as mentioned, has been around for centuries. the Egyptians were amongst the first to introduce wine and beer together, where previously, beer was the primary alcohol. Around the time of the Civil War, the Prohibition was loud and clear. Many people fought to make drinking legal, whether for religious reasons, or for the sheer pleasure it brought. After the prohibition was over and alcohol flowed readily through the streets, the concept of alcohol in America isn’t slowing down anytime soon. It’s one of the highest grossing industries in the world, and studies show that Americans are one of the top buyers. Alcohol has been incredibly romanticized over the years by poets and writers such as Raymond Chandler, Charles R. Jackson, Charles Bukowski, and more. However, writers weren’t the only ones using alcohol as a way to bring forth new and creative ideas. Other artists well known include Van Gogh, Gauguin, Pollock, Ben Affleck, Mel Gibson, and more. Unfortunately, the significance of drinking in high society leaves many people feeling that being an addict to alcohol is okay. The reality, however, written plainly, is that alcohol can ruin a life, make a person depressed, and drive an individual to madness. Alcohol can take over when one least expects it.