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“I was an alcoholic.”
If you know you’re an alcoholic or think you might have a drinking problem, don’t give up — millions of people have overcome alcoholism and you can too! Help is available at Cumberland Heights, an accredited drug and alcohol treatment center. We’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with highly trained clinical staff on site ready to help with your alcohol dependency treatment.
Alcoholism treatment centers can help you overcome your addiction to alcohol while paving the way for you to live a sober, more fulfilling life. Like addiction to cocaine and heroin, alcoholism is a disease, which makes it important that you receive treatment from a respected alcohol rehab services center like Cumberland Heights.
When you’re ready to admit you have a problem, we have the solution.
Alcoholism, also known as “alcohol dependence,” is a chronic, often progressive disease. Like many diseases, its symptoms include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences such as serious job, relationship or health problems. And, like many diseases, it has a relatively predictable course and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
Alcoholism commonly includes four symptoms:
• Craving - a strong need, or compulsion, to drink
• Loss of control - the inability to limit drinking on any given occasion
• Physical dependence - withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking
• Tolerance - the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get high.
People who are not alcoholic sometimes don’t understand why an alcoholic can’t just use willpower to stop drinking, but alcoholism has little to do with willpower. Alcoholics experience an uncontrollable need for alcohol that overrides their ability to stop drinking. This need can be as strong as the need for food or water.
Alcohol dependency is the most common addiction. Some people can use alcohol without problems, but others cannot. One important reason has to do with genetics. Scientists have found that having an alcoholic family member makes it more likely that you may develop alcoholism if you choose to drink.
Additionally, scientists now believe that certain factors in a person’s environment influence whether a person with a genetic risk for alcoholism develops the disease. Alcoholism risk can increase based on the person’s environment, including where and how he or she lives; family, friends and culture; peer pressure; and how easy it is to get alcohol.
More men than women are alcohol dependent or experience alcohol-related problems. Rates of alcoholism are highest among young adults ages 18-29 and lowest among adults 65 years and older.
Although alcoholism is basically different from alcohol abuse, many effects of alcohol abuse are also experienced by alcoholics. To determine if a drinking problem exists, answer the following four questions:
• Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
• Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
• Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning (as an “eye opener”) to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
One “yes” answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. If you answered more than one question with “yes,” it is very likely that a problem exists. In either case, you should consult a doctor or other health care provider. He or she can help determine whether you have a drinking problem and, if so, recommend the best course of action in dealing with your alcohol dependency treatment.
Alcoholism addiction treatment may include medical detoxification; taking medications to help prevent a relapse once drinking has stopped; and individual and/or group counseling. Counseling can teach alcoholics to identify situations and feelings that trigger the urge to drink and find new ways to cope without using alcohol. These treatments are often provided on an outpatient basis.
Because the support of family members is important to the recovery process, many programs also offer family therapy as part of addiction treatment. Programs may also link individuals with vital community resources, such as legal assistance, job training, childcare and parenting classes.
Almost all alcoholism treatment programs include participation in a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Although AA is generally recognized as an effective alcohol treatment program for recovering alcoholics, not everyone responds to AA’s style or message, and other recovery approaches are available. Even people who are helped by AA usually find that it works best when combined with other forms of treatment, including counseling and medical care.
Alcoholism recovery is an ongoing process. You’ll know you’re making progress toward recovery when you:
• Disassociate from people who use alcohol
• Open yourself to self-improvement and growth
• Actively work to improve personal relationships damaged by your alcoholism
Abstinence is a life-long process that usually requires ongoing support. Cumberland Heights drug and alcohol treatment center offers 12-step and aftercare outpatient alcohol treatment programs to help you maintain your sobriety. Alcohol rehab services can change your life in many positive ways.
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