What is Alcohol Abuse?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 7% of American adults 18 years or older suffer from a diagnosable alcohol use disorder. Alcoholism is twice as prevalent amongst men.

The DSM-5 defines alcoholism based on a set of behaviors that measures a diagnosis from mild to severe. If two or three behaviors are exhibited, it’s considered mild. Four or five and it’s closer to the severe end. Here are a couple examples of behavior that may indicate a sign of alcoholism:

Signs of Alcohol Dependence

Withdrawals are known for being associated with harder drugs such as heroin and methamphetamines, however, alcohol can take a very physical stranglehold on the body too. People who abuse alcohol build up a tolerance to the effects, prompting them to consume higher quantities in order to feel the effects. This not only augments the damage to the body, but it creates a physiological dependence, and that’s when withdrawal symptoms begin to manifest. The body is so used to having alcohol in its system that it struggles to function when its absent, and the user will experience depression, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, accelerated heart rate, tremors, and confusion. Users will often fall into a vicious cycle by drinking just to alleviate theses symptoms.

What Causes Alcohol Abuse?

Abusing alcohol can happen for multiple reasons – Some drink to escape the negative feelings caused by a traumatic situation in their life, and others develop a habit of drinking from over partying. Whatever the initiating factors are, the reason people become addicted to alcohol is largely neurological. Consuming alcohol makes chemical changes in the brain that result in an abundance of pleasurable feelings. With prolonged use, those mechanisms in the brain become damaged, and the pleasurable feelings start to fade. At this point users are simply drinking to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Alcoholism and addictive personality traits are known to run in families. It’s good to be aware of these risk factors if someone in your family has abused alcohol.

Long-term Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Persistent use of high quantities of alcohol can cause major damage to the body. Long-term effects include severe liver damage, depression, nerve damage, pancreatitis, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (neurological disease leading to confusion, visual problems and memory loss), GI tract infections, cancers, dementia, high blood pressure and extensive brain cell degeneration.

While some of the damage is irreparable, many effects are reversible with detoxification, extended sobriety, and a healthy regimen.

How Can Alcoholism be Treated?

The first step to recovery is detoxification. Depending on the severity of the addiction, this can be a very unpleasant experience, but having the care and expertise of an alcohol treatment center makes the journey much smoother and more effective. Rehabilitation is carried out by practicing new coping skills, making adjustments to problematic behavior and identifying emotional risks and personal triggers. These are just some of the ways our alcohol rehab center in Los Angeles battles addiction. We recognize that overcoming addiction is a lifelong journey. Our treatment programs provide the support and tools that you need to maintain sobriety long after your initial visit.

Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, even deadly, if not done properly, and for those looking to quit their dependence and addiction to alcohol, doing so under a alcohol detox center and residential treatment program is the best course of action for better long-term success.

At Haven House, an alcohol rehab in Los Angeles, you will have your own primary therapist, as well as sessions with a psychiatrist, and group sessions with our clinical team. They all work together to formulate the best treatment plan for your specific needs and will address underlying mental health concerns that play a role in abusing alcohol.

Contact our alcohol treatment center in Los Angeles county today.