Alcohol addiction is a condition that occurs when a person is physically addicted to drinking alcohol. While they may believe they can quit drinking at any time, a person with an alcohol addiction will experience strong cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms that will lead a person to return to drinking. When a person suffers from this condition, alcohol addiction rehab in Bowling Green can help.
Some signs that a person may suffer from alcohol addiction include:
While alcohol may be a legal substance for those older than age 21, its effects when abused can prove deadly. Seeking alcohol addiction recovery can help a person get the help they needed to stop depending on alcohol on a daily basis. We even provide help if you wish to plan or stage a drug intervention in Bowling Green.
According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 17 million people ages 18 and older suffer from an alcohol use disorder. However, only a fraction of these Americans seek alcohol addiction recovery. The results can be significant health repercussions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 88,000 deaths occur in America each year due to alcohol abuse. Those who abuse alcohol have an estimated 30 years' shorter lifespan than those who do not. Entering the first step of drug detox in Bowling Green is important as soon as possible.
Alcohol abuse presents both short and long-term health risks for an individual. By seeking alcohol addiction rehab in Bowling Green, a person can ideally stop the vicious cycle that can lead to these health complications. In the short-term, immediate risks to an alcohol addict include:
Long-term, alcohol abuse can have devastating effects on the body. Because the liver is responsible for filtering and breaking down alcohol as a waste product, chronic drinking can cause irreversible scarring to the liver. Without a somewhat functioning liver, a person cannot live. Additional long-term health effects of alcohol abuse include:
These and other health risks can all occur if a person does not seek alcohol addiction treatment.
While many addictions to drugs that are both illegal and legal are not associated with negative effects when quitting, alcohol withdrawal in Bowling Green can prove deadly, alcohol is an exception. Alcohol withdrawals are some of the most dangerous to go through without the help and supervision of an alcohol addiction rehab in Bowling Green. In some people, alcohol withdrawals can lead to a syndrome known as the delirium tremens or DTs. This syndrome can occur about two to three days into stopping using alcohol. Symptoms include shaking, sweating, seizures, and/or high body temperatures. These effects can be deadly if left untreated.
While not all people who withdraw from alcohol will experience the DTs, it is difficult for doctors to predict who will and who won't. Without medical treatment, death rates from the DTs are between 15 and 40 percent. At an alcohol addiction treatment facility, a person can receive medical support for the symptoms of DTs and prevent serious symptoms from occurring.
However, alcohol addiction treatment isn't just to break the physical symptoms associated with alcohol addiction. Instead, the treatments are also aimed at helping a person overcome their mental addiction to alcohol. Some people may use alcohol as a means of escape or self-medication for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. To truly stop abusing alcohol, a person must learn how to break the physical dependence associated with drinking. Call us now for help at (877) 804-1531.