Attaining Freedom from Alcohol

Alcohol causes more problems than any other substance. The Center for Disease Control, or CDC, reports that alcohol abuse is the third highest cause of death in the United States, totaling 80,000 fatalities a year. Alcoholism is characterized by physical dependence, tolerance, cravings, and loss of control.

Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance and causes more people to seek substance abuse treatment than any other single substance. Due to its status as legal, many people believe that alcohol is harmless. However, alcohol is a drug and the more a person consumes the greater the possibility of developing an addiction or death.

Effects on Mind, Body, and Self

Long term alcohol abuse can devastate a person physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and the list goes on. When ingested, alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. Alcohol is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, creating its cognitive distortion effect.

Mentally, alcohol can wreak havoc on an individual. Emotional upheaval and instability ensue as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. It is a downer, and as such causes, a decrease in mood, often after alcohol’s initial effect has worn off. It has the potential to create or amplify such issues as depression, anxiety, and a slew of other emotionally disruptive problems.

Physical complications are numerous and varied; they include liver damage, brain damage, chronic pancreatitis, reproductive system issues, and many others. The body processes alcohol through the liver, causing it most likely to see the damage. Liver failure and jaundice as a consequence of liver failure manifests all too often in people abusing alcohol. The liver can be healed but only if the person stops using alcohol altogether.

Alcohol has a tendency to destroy relationships. People often behave or say things while under the influence that they would not sober. The lessened inhibitions that alcohol causes also have a high rate of turning into legal issues, such as arrests for driving under the influence or assaulting others. According to the National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, or NCADD, 36% of people incarcerated were drinking at the time they committed the criminal offense.

Treatment Options

As a result of increasing alcohol abuse, there has been a surge in the number of treatment programs available. Traveling for treatment is often recommended as it allows the individual to work on his or her sobriety without the outside influences and stressors. It has the added benefit of anonymity, eliminating the possibility of the person seeking treatment running into friends or acquaintances while in treatment. You can choose anywhere, so why not choose a vacation destination somewhere warm and sunny?

Alcohol treatment centers offer a variety of treatment methods to maximize the probability of success. Therapies such as group, individual, and family sessions allow those struggling with alcohol abuse and his or her loved ones to work through difficult issues. Other possible therapeutic approaches are art and music therapy, equine therapy, yoga, meditation and many more.

Regardless of what type of treatment method you choose, there is hope for stopping the vicious cycles of addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, reach out. Help is available. Give us a call at 1-910-729-6829. We have expert professionals ready and waiting to answer any questions you may have and help you get the help you deserve. Don’t waste another minute enslaved to alcohol.

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