Among all addictions, alcohol addiction takes the number one spot for society’s most prevalent and most destructive addiction. Alcohol addicts tend to fall into two categories, as statistics show; they are the 20% of people who consume alcohol and take five or more drinks less than 10% of the time. The second is the 9% who take five or more drinks—consequences of being an alcohol addict run high. There are social consequences like destructive relations with friends and family and financial consequences like job losses and mild to no savings. Lastly, there are the health consequences. Though it is a serious issue, one can get good treatment at centers for rehab addiction in Los Angeles.
Alcohol addicts are extremely prone to have reduced cognitive and central nervous system functioning, high blood pressure, red blood cell damage, depression, and liver damage. Excessive alcohol intake doubles the risk of depression; 11% of alcoholics get depressed; that is compared to 5 percent for the non-alcoholic general population.
Alcohol addiction carries the inevitable high risk of liver damage. It is the liver that is responsible for cleaning the alcohol out of the blood system. Excessive alcohol overworks it and eventually starts burning it.
Excessive damage leads to cirrhosis, scar tissue on the liver. This means that part of the liver will never function again. It is irreparable. Fortunately, the scar tissue does not spread, and the liver is slightly bigger than we need. This is good news for alcoholics who are seeking recovery programs. Smokers battling cancer don’t have the same fortune as non-spreading infections.
The key to alcohol addiction is detox. The body must be rid of the addictive substances of alcohol. This process involves taking care of the physiological and mental adjustment that accompanies the process. During this time, the body will go through physical withdraw symptoms. Detox is a must before treatment. Without it, the craving will persist on a continuous basis.
Alcohol detox can be a dangerous process. So, it should only be performed with the aid of a qualified professional. The related withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous to the body. The symptoms may include excessive sweating, rapid pulse, limb tremors, insomnia, physical agitation, anxiety, auditory hallucinations, and mal-seizures. All these symptoms can be severe.
The symptoms of withdrawal are complicated, and they may seemingly return after having disappeared. There is wide medical literature on this subject, and the alcohol detox professional should be of great help.
Alcohol relapse prevention should be aimed at helping the addict find new ways of taking care of themselves and tackle the compelling thoughts. It should help them deal with problems and daily life stresses. Alcoholics have a 54% chance of relapsing. Relapse prevention is needed to help identify the warning signs of a possible relapse. These signs are always there, and addicts should be well prepared to see them.
All recovering alcoholics are advised to keep plenty of non-alcoholic beverages around themselves. Whether it is the home or the place of work, they should avoid any foods cooked with alcohol. With a comprehensive addiction recovery process, every alcoholic can beat the addiction for good. Remember that no one is beyond recovery.