Alcohol Abuse Rehab in Killeen, TX
Seeking treatment for alcohol abuse rehab in Killeen is the first step towards learning to live a productive, sober lifestyle free of alcohol. Alcohol abuse recovery involves learning healthy ways to cope with stressful situations and social events without needing to rely on alcohol.
Alcohol abuse rehab in Killeen involves tailoring a combination of therapies and treatments designed to suit each person's individual needs in recovery. The underlying reasons behind alcohol abuse are different for each person, so it's important that the therapies used address the person's unique triggers and issues properly.
Depending on the severity of the person's problem, alcohol withdrawal treatment programs in Killeen may be necessary. Detoxing from alcohol after drinking heavily for a long period of time can cause dangerous and even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms to emerge. It's important that alcohol withdrawal treatment is conducted under medical supervision in an center specializing in alcohol abuse rehab in Killeen.
What is Alcohol Abuse?
Alcohol abuse is classified as drinking more than the recommended standard number of drinks. For women, the recommended amount is no more than one alcoholic drink per day and for men the recommended amount is no more than two drinks per day.
People who abuse alcohol tend to drink too much, causing them to indulge in risky behavior and exhibit poor judgment in their decision making. By comparison, an alcoholic needs alcohol in order to feel ‘normal' and to make it through the day.
Binge drinking is also a form of alcohol abuse that increases the risk of suffering alcohol poisoning. Experiencing ‘black outs', or not remembering what you said or did while you were drunk is a clear sign of alcohol abuse.
Alcohol Abuse Signs and Symptoms
It's far too common for people to believe their current drinking patterns are quite normal. They enjoy ‘partying' with friends and having a few drinks whenever they go out. Others enjoy a few drinks after work, believing it's how they ‘unwind' after a stressful day.
In reality, using alcohol as a way to socialize or to relax is a sign of developing a serious drinking problem. The brain becomes accustomed to the presence of alcohol in the system, so the person eventually needs to drink just to feel ‘normal'.
If the person tries to stop drinking, they become irritated or agitated, or may experience tremors and shaking. Many will simply find an excuse to have a drink so they feel better again. At this point, a person is developing a physical dependency on alcohol.
Other common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include:
Cravings: Craving an alcoholic drink is a clear sign of alcohol abuse.
Loss of control: As a person's dependency on alcohol increases, it's common for them to lose control over the amount they drink, often drinking far more than they intended.
Social/behavioral changes: Many people caught in the grip of a drinking problem will tend to associate more with other people who drink. Alternatively, a person with an alcohol abuse disorder may begin to isolate themselves, preferring to stay at home to drink more instead of participating in social activities or hobbies.
Deceptive behavior: It's common for many people with an alcohol abuse problem to hide how much they really drink. Some may drink in secret , while others may lie about how much they're really consuming.
Tolerance: As a person's dependency on alcohol deepens, it's common for them to drink more without appearing drunk. In reality, the person is developing tolerance to alcohol, so they need to drink more in order to achieve the same effects.
Withdrawal symptoms: Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when intake of alcohol is cut down or stopped suddenly is a clear sign of physical dependency.
Dangers of Alcohol
Statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that the number of deaths involving a drunk driver in Texas exceeds the national average. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism released statistics showing that approximately 88,000 Americans die each year from alcohol-related causes.
Alcohol abuse also increases the risk of developing a range of chronic diseases and health problems, including:
Heart disease: Drinking too much alcohol even on a single occasion can damage the heart muscle and cause a condition known as cardiomyopathy, or stretching the heart muscle. Heavy drinkers may also experience arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.
Hypertension: Hypertension, or high blood pressure is common among people who regularly abuse alcohol.
Stroke: Alcohol abuse increases the risk of stroke.
Cancer: Drinking heavily over an extended period of time drastically increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, liver, and colon.
Liver damage: The body attempts to process or metabolize alcohol in the liver. Drinking excessively puts enormous strain on the liver, which increases the risk of developing liver cancer, liver disease, fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Pancreas: Excessive alcohol in the system causes the pancreas to create toxic substances that can cause pancreatitis
Cognitive problems: Alcohol interferes with the brain's normal communication pathways, affecting learning and causing memory problems, as well as increasing the risk of developing symptoms of dementia.
Mental health disorders: Alcohol is a central nervous system sedative that can trigger symptoms of anxiety and depression in many people, as well as cause mood and behavior changes.
Who Should Seek Alcohol Abuse Rehab Treatment?
Anyone struggling to regain control over their drinking habits needs to see treatment for alcohol abuse rehab in Killeen. A drug addiction intervention in Killen may be the push your loved one needs to take back control over their life and learn to live a productive, healthy, sober lifestyle over the long term. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.