Alcoholism Treatment Program
Alcoholism is a physical and psychological need for and dependence upon alcohol. It becomes impossible for an alcoholic to go through the day or complete any normal daily tasks without drinking, and they will continue to do so despite it drastically affecting their work, finances and relationships with their loved ones.
Alcoholics behave in a way that those who can easily manage their drinking would view as unreasonable. They can become violent, lose their job and their home, or become involved in crime if their habit becomes particularly destructive. Excessive drinking also has a profound effect on a person’s physical and mental health, and can result in liver failure and death in severe cases.
Some signs and symptoms of alcoholism include:
Getting into violent and dangerous situations when drinking, such as driving, violent behavior, or breaking the law.
The causes of alcoholism
Alcoholism is both a physical and a mental condition, so there is no one specific, definite cause. There are risk factors associated with alcoholism though, and things that make it more likely in an individual.
How alcoholism advances and develops
Addiction. At this later and most severe stage, the individual doesn’t feel a need to drink for pleasure, they simply cannot stop.
The effects of alcoholism on the mind and body
The liver is possibly the most resilient organ in the human body. One of its roles is to detoxify our blood after drinking alcohol. Alcoholics and alcohol abusers put their liver through a tremendous amount of stress, and force it to process more toxins than it’s able to. This can develop into cirrhosis, jaundice and chronic liver disease, and even shut down the liver completely. Like any organ, our liver is essential and we cannot live without it.
Liver damage really is the tip of the iceberg, however. Alcohol can gradually poison and impair the majority of the body if drunk in excess, from the central nervous system to the reproductive organs.
Some health problems caused by alcoholism and alcohol abuse:
Getting clean and what to expect
Before an alcoholic will benefit from or even accept treatment, they must feel that they genuinely need it. Help can come in the form of counseling and group sessions, inpatient treatment in a dedicated facility, detox and rehabilitation.
Detoxification is an often uncomfortable and unpleasant procedure that completely rids the body of alcohol and demands complete sobriety. Treatment centers can offer medication to help this process along and alleviate the withdrawal symptoms.