Facts about Alcoholism and the Human Body
Facts about Alcoholism and the Human Body
Alcoholism is a widespread problem. Perhaps it is because so many do not have a good understanding of what the warning signs are for a person who may need alcohol rehabilitation. It can be easily defined. A person has a dangerous relationship with alcohol and may benefit from an alcohol abuse treatment center if he or she demonstrates:
Physical Dependence on Alcohol: If the person does not consume alcohol on a regular basis, they experience nausea, anxiety, profuse sweating and/or shakiness. They may also appear angry or depressed without alcohol.
Lack of Control: An alcoholic cannot stop after one or two alcoholic beverages and continues to drink until they reach a high state of intoxication or passes out.
High Tolerance Level: A person with an alcohol dependency may be able to drink large amounts of alcohol without feeling drunk and continues to increase the amount of alcohol consumed to stave off withdrawal symptoms.
A very common question from many people is “why does this person have an alcohol addiction and I do not?” Studies from the NIAAA show that a person’s likeliness to become an addict is inherited. Studies are currently in progress to see if the “addiction gene” can be singled out. However, a person’s environment is also a large factor in how and if they form unhealthy addictions. That being said, two siblings who share an alcoholic parent may be at risk for being alcoholics themselves. One may end up with an alcohol problem and the other may not. The one who became an alcoholic perhaps had a demeaning career and little support, while the other furthered their education and tried their best to avoid overindulgence. By being “at-risk,” does not mean you will definitely end up with an alcohol addiction. Those who are aware they may be at risk for addiction can work on staying sober before alcohol rehabilitation even becomes an issue.
Alcohol may be legal and easily obtainable, but it can bring devastating effects to one’s health. Alcohol used in the short-term can harm someone’s cognitive thinking and impair their judgments and ability to operate machinery. Long-term abuse can actually cause permanent brain damage. Digestion, blood pressure, heart function and insomnia are also common problems associated with heavy alcohol consumption. Though the most well-known organ affected by alcoholism is the liver. Alcohol abuse rapidly works to defeat the liver’s functioning ability. Cancer and cirrhosis of the liver are common diseases associated with drinking. Of course, with any substance abuse, there is the risk of death. In alcoholism’s case, it’s not just the risk of cancer or other bodily diseases. You can overdose on alcohol just as you can on heroin or cocaine.
Those who suffer from alcoholism will benefit from an alcohol rehabilitation program that helps to build back the social skills that may have been lost during the addiction. Often, alcoholics lose friends, jobs and are at risk for committing crimes like driving under the influence, theft, domestic assault and child abuse. They also have problems with the organization of their finances are often late paying bills. Not necessarily because they cannot afford to make the payments, but because they are too intoxicated to remember important dates and responsibilities.
An alcohol abuse treatment center like Vista Taos will acknowledge that there is no cure for the disease known as alcoholism. It is a life-long battle that will become easier to work with as time goes by. Alcohol rehabilitation does not work by trying to cut back on consumption. Tobacco users often join “quit programs” that work in steps to ease you off the nicotine in small steps. Tapering may work for that and other drugs, but alcohol must be stopped in one step. There are medications available during the detoxification process to help ease the discomfort associated with not having alcohol in your system. A strong support system and experienced treatment staff on hand at an alcohol abuse treatment center will be a person’s best defense.
Complimentary therapies are also very beneficial for people attending alcohol rehabilitation. Vista Taos Renewal Center in New Mexico offers these additional therapies in their residential treatment programs to aid in the healing process for their patients. These are practices like yoga, meditation, acupuncture and massage therapy. All of these holistic treatments prove to relax and
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