Alcoholism Treatment Facility

Alcoholism Information

Alcoholism is a common disease afflicting millions. However, it is seldom discussed with the same candor and empathy as other mental disorders such as depression, autism, or Alzheimer’s. Despite widespread information about alcoholism and its effects, the perception of the ‘typical’ alcoholic is one of a skid row drunk; a homeless beggar; a hopeless tattered shadow on the freeway onramp or begging for change on the street. The real monster walks, sleeps and lives among us: Alcoholism does not discriminate based on race, religion, creed, class or political party. It is an equal opportunity destroyer. Alcoholism is not about moral weakness or personal choice; it’s about physical allergy coupled with a mental obsession so great that there is a total loss of choice in whether one will drink.

What are Alcoholism Symptoms?

Alcoholism is a disease with symptoms, a course and prognosis. Despite its category and treatment as a medical disease with specific symptoms, course and treatment, it doesn’t receive the same type of attention and compassion as many other forms of medical and mental maladies. For alcoholics, the desire to drink is as strong and as natural as the need to eat, sleep and breathe. Alcoholism is a progressive disease and if left untreated can result in grave disability, serious illness or death. Many alcoholics understand these grave consequences, yet are unable to get and maintain sobriety. Alcoholism symptoms include: recurrent alcohol use resulting in the failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, home or family; recurrent use in situations that could be deemed hazardous, dangerous or criminal, such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) operating heavy machinery; recurrent alcohol related legal problems such as drunk in public, disorderly conduct, DWI; continued use despite persisting social and interpersonal problems related to alcohol, such as arguing with spouse/partner while intoxicated and physical fights. Call us today if you or someone you love is in need of an alcohol recovery program at 800.461.0641.

What is Alcohol Abuse?

Medical and mental health professionals agree that alcohol abuse occurs when there is social, occupational, legal or financial consequences as the direct result of drinking. Statistics indicate that the bulk of people seeking treatment for alcohol abuse are NOT addicted to alcohol and consider themselves ‘weekend warriors’ or ‘social drinkers.’ The typical person that abuses alcohol usually minimized, hides or denies there is a problem, despite the continued negative effects.

What are Alcholism Warning Signs?

Alcoholism warning signs can manifest at any time during a person’s life. Because alcoholism is a progressive disease, symptoms follow a course from bad to worse. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism identifies four major components that characterize this disease: craving, impaired control, dependence and tolerance. Craving manifests in the body and the mind; obsessions in the mind in the form of preoccupation despite negative consequences and effects. Impaired control indicates that the afflicted person is unable to control the amount of alcohol consumed and hence unable to control his/her behavior once under the influence. Another warning sign of alcoholism is when a person has become physiologically and biologically dependent upon alcohol in order to function normally or shows high levels of tolerance for alcohol (i.e., drinks in the morning or needs more and more to achieve the desired effect.) An alcohol detox might also be needed if the alcohol abuser has been drinking for an extended time or is a daily drinker.

What is an Alcoholism Intervention?

Alcoholism is often called a family disease because of its effects on the function, stability and structure of the family unit as a whole. An alcoholism intervention entails the family consulting with an alcohol and drug treatment professional. The family and the professional designate a specific time and place where the whole family meets with the alcoholic. The family then gently confronts the person with their concerns: Family members identify how the alcoholism is affecting them, careful to discuss only their problems and concerns and not be accusatory, angry or blaming. During this meeting the family asks the alcoholic get help as soon as possible. This alcoholism intervention can be an effective event in getting the person to see how his or her drinking truly hurts and affects those they love the most and getting them into alcoholism treatment much sooner than negative consequences alone.