Often known as alcoholism, alcohol addiction is a disease in which a person is both psychologically and physically dependent on alcohol. Individuals who have the disease may get treatment through alcohol rehab in Laredo.
Experts see it as the last stage of alcohol abuse. The disease is characterized by the preoccupation with obtaining alcoholic products despite known consequences, as well as the inability to say no to those products. People experiencing alcohol addiction will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking.
These traits largely are the result of physical changes that happen in the brain over time because of exposure to the alcohol. There is no "cure", per say, but the condition is treatable.
As the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) asserts, alcohol addiction can result in a wide array of health problems, including
Because alcohol impairs judgment and lowers inhibitions and coordination, it also increases your risk of getting hurt. According to Rethinking Drinking, for example, some 60% of fatal burn injuries, drownings and homicides are linked to drinking. It is associated with half of all severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults. It also plays a role in 4 out of 10 fatal car accidents, suicides and falls. NIAAA claims that, every year, 88,000 people die for alcohol-related causes.
Alcohol has other non-physical dangers. It can cause friction in relationships, for example, and addicts might have trouble at work. Some people have trouble maintaining their finances or even handling everyday living tasks. Professionals who provide services related to alcohol rehab in Laredo are well aware of alcoholism dangers and are dedicated to educating you or a loved one toward a safe recovery.
People have various reasons for resisting treatment, such as a lack of money to pay for services, fear of social judgment and denial of the severity of their condition. But entering our alcohol rehab in Laredo can be lifesaving:
Withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that, without alcohol and drug detox in Laredo, the addicted person dies, either because of physical shock or due to suicide. Professionals in rehab programs monitor addicts to protect them and, if necessary, provide medications or other therapies that minimize drug and alcohol withdrawal treatment in Laredo.
In some cases, people who enter alcohol addiction treatment programs are in denial, in the treatment center because loved ones or authorities have insisted they get help. They will not admit that they have a problem or are endangering themselves or others. Here, professionals help the addicts understand what is happening to them and come to terms with their alcoholism. This is important, because the more an individual owns their behavior, the more likely it is that they can move away from old habits and stop drinking.
Alcohol rehab programs also can help addicts uncover the reasons behind their drinking through group, family or individual talk therapies, art, music, behavioral therapy and other options. When people are more aware of what ties to their drinking habits, they can make conscious efforts to address those issues head on and engage in more positive behavior. Trained therapists also offer strategies addicts can use to resist temptation and avoid relapse, such as calling a mentor or journaling.
Lastly, alcohol addiction rehab programs allow alcoholics to understand they are not alone. Those in the programs can support and encourage each other, providing accountability. Therapists also connect those in rehab with other support services, such as for housing, counseling and job training. The connections from these services improve the odds that an alcoholic has a successful recovery and can once again function well in society.
Going through alcohol addiction treatment programs doesn't guarantee that someone will avoid relapse entirely, and in fact, most professionals see recovery as an ongoing, lifelong process. It's very common to take a few steps back as you try to move forward. But the efficiency of a program isn't measured entirely on complete sobriety, which in reality is extremely difficult to maintain. Alcohol rehab in Laredo (or elsewhere) is still effective if it improves quality of life, boosting relationships, health, education, employment and even legal status. Go into an alcohol rehab program with the goal of obtaining these benefits, not with the goal of absolute perfection. Call us at (877) 804-1531.