Individuals who have an alcohol abuse problem may be unaware of the distinction between moderate drinking and the symptoms of a serious alcohol dependency. Unfortunately, alcohol abuse can easily lead to alcoholism. Many people wrongly assume that the legal nature of the substance, and wide acceptance in social settings, makes it safe to over consume.
Abusers may believe that they have total control over their drinking habits and can resist the temptation to drink at any time. When social drinking reaches the level of dependence, and an individual drinks habitually to temporarily relieve certain issues, such as emotional or social problems, this pattern of behavior is more likely an addiction to alcohol rather than casual or social drinking.
Alcohol abuse can cause depression, anxiety, anger issues, impaired judgment and distorted perception as well as illnesses such as anemia, high blood pressure and liver damage. Seek help for alcohol abuse, before the habit spirals even further out of control.
Addiction can cause many problems with family and work relationships. If you're struggling with these issues, making the decision to seek help and recover from alcohol abuse and dependence may be one of the most important decisions that you'll make to lead a happier, more fulfilling life.
The steps to recovery begin with setting clear, established goals to break the habits of a dependence to drinking. Treatment centers for addiction in Stamford offer treatment plans designed to address the reasons why you began drinking regularly and develop new and improved habits to cope with the underlying triggers. These steps will facilitate the recovery process and help to prevent a relapse.
Depending on the extent of the drinking problem and whether you're a heavy or long-term drinker, medical detoxification may be part of your treatment plan. You'll also receive the support of trained medical professionals, counselors and peer support while you go through the steps to recovery.
If you're struggling with alcohol abuse and evaluating your treatment options, it's important to remember that everyone has different needs. What works best for one individual may not be the best choice for another. In general, the longer you've suffered from alcohol addiction, the longer the treatment will be needed. Individuals can choose between inpatient and outpatient substance abuse centers; extended care programs are also available to help clients support their ongoing recovery.
Inpatient programs are widely regarded as the most effective way to conquer alcohol addiction. An inpatient program typically begins with the process of detoxification where the individual is gradually weaned off the drug being abused. This process can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, so it's important to choose a reputable treatment center that provides the appropriate medical supervision. Inpatient rehab also involves treating the psychological component of addiction.
In some cases, an outpatient program may be the best choice to treat drug addiction and drug abuse. These programs vary in length, depending on the needs of the individual client. Outpatient rehab includes many of the same components as inpatient care, including one-on-one therapy, workshops and support groups. To minimize the risk of relapse, clients are usually required to take weekly drug tests during their participation in an outpatient program. If you're suffering from multiple addictions or have had prior rehab treatment that ended in relapse, outpatient care is not recommended.
While you might understand some of the physical and emotional risks of substance abuse, these can escalate with prolonged use. In addition, some clients have used combinations of alcohol and drugs, which could heighten the dangers.
Just some of the physical risks include: damage to major internal organs, seizures, appetite changes, stomach and intestinal problems, respiratory problems, HIV and AIDS and hepatitis. Some of the emotional dangers are paranoia, depression, violence, hallucinations, risky behaviors, moodiness, confusion and mental instability.
If you are convicted for a drug-related offense, the courts could impose a number of sanctions against you. Federal convictions can mean extremely lengthy prison sentences and excessively high fines. You could be placed on probation, be ordered to submit to drug testing, complete community service hours and be directed to comply with numerous other terms.
In addition to serious health risks, you need to consider the legal consequences of continued drug abuse of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other drugs. You can avoid these unpleasant penalties by addressing your addiction now if you attend treatment.
You have already taken the first step down the road to addiction recovery by admitting that you have a problem and that you want help. While the path can be scary, we are with you. Facilities offer the support you need at a critical and stressful time in your life. Begin to gain the confidence you need to overcome your fears and your addiction and move forward into a hopeful future.
Call Alcohol Treatment Centers Stamford today at (877) 804-1531.