Alcohol Addiction
There are almost 20 million Americans addicted to alcohol, and although most will never even attempt to get better, you can be one of the hundreds of thousands of people who quit drinking every year, and never look back to the pains of abuse again.
Physical and Psychological addiction
Alcohol addicts both physically and psychologically and once addicted, alcoholics need to drink regularly, will feel able to drink greater amounts before getting drunk and will start to feel symptoms of withdrawal when they do try to quit.
Although a socially acceptable and legal substance, few drugs are as harmful on the body as excessive and chronic alcohol use. Alcohol damages virtually all systems and organs of the body, and from the brain to the liver, and from an increased risk of heart attack to early dementia, the long term effects of alcoholism can devastate.
The Risks of Withdrawal
Alcohol is a depressant, and slows the brain down as it creates feelings of pleasure and intoxication. The brain eventually changes in response to this continual slowing, and after long term use, you actually need alcohol to feel normal and to keep dangerous symptoms of withdrawal away. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are not only very uncomfortable; they can in severe cases by fatal.
If you find that you can no longer control your drinking, if you find that you continue to drink even when you know it does you harm, and if you find that you need to have a drink at certain times each day…then you are addicted to alcohol and you likely need professional help to better your addiction.
Alcohol Abuse Treatment
It's a tough but necessary journey from alcoholism to sobriety, so difficult that most will relapse at least once as they try for sobriety; so difficult that most people cannot do it on their own and many can’t even do it with outpatient help. Alcoholics need to learn that they can never again drink, even in moderation; they need to learn what in them causes such a desire for intoxication and they need to learn what in their environment causes them cravings to drink.
Some alcoholics can find strength and sobriety though outpatient group or individual therapies, or through the support of 12 steps meetings like AA; but a lot of us need more. A lot of us need a month or more away from temptation, away from access to alcohol, and in an environment where we are free to focus entirely on getting better. A lot of us need residential care.
You can beat alcoholism, hundreds of thousands of people leave drinking behind every year, and go on to live far healthier and happier lives without the pains and weight of abuse dragging them down. You can beat your addiction, you may need some help, but sobriety is possible, you'll never regret a thing you do that gets you sober; and only after you're sober will you rediscover how great the clarity and energy of sober living can feel.
You can get better. Get the help you need to break free from alcohol addiction.
