Alcohol Addiction Treatment

What Is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol Addiction, otherwise referred to as Alcoholism is when an individual has a repetitive and excessive drinking pattern no matter what the consequences or extent of harm caused. Alcohol Addiction is a psychological process and often emerges at the same time as Alcohol dependence which is a physiological process.

There are a variety of different factors that can increase the risk of Alcohol Addiction in individuals. Some of these factors are:

• Drinking early on, especially before the age of 15
• Mental health conditions such as depression.
• Genetics. A family history of Alcohol Addiction
• Previous traumatic experiences in life.
• Life stress such as work and family
• Financial stress

If you think you or a loved one may be suffering with an Addiction to alcohol, reach out to our friendly team today to get the help you deserve.

What You Should Know About Alcohol Addiction

Drinking alcohol is a social activity and is only safe when done in moderation. If a person decides on consuming a large quantity of alcohol within a short space of time (known as binge drinking), this can have consequences for their health in the long-term and can turn into a long-standing issue with alcohol addiction.

Worryingly, it is possible to build up such a tolerance to alcohol that you can become addicted to it without realising. If you become dependent on alcohol, you may typically experience a strong desire to drink and have constant cravings, along with withdrawal symptoms that take effect when the alcohol gradually leaves your system.

There are varying degrees of severity when it comes to alcohol addiction, all of which are dependent on an individual’s height, weight, age, metabolism and the amount they typically drink. If you are addicted to alcohol, you may find it particularly hard to stay sober or function without it in everyday circumstances, especially for long periods of time.

It is common for a person to turn to alcohol during difficult times in life such as the loss of a relative, a change in job, negative changes in financial circumstances, shock or stress. Alcohol provides a way to hide from reality, masking the pain or stress of difficult situations for a period of time.

The Symptoms Of Alcohol Addiction

Look out for the following symptoms if you are concerned that you or someone you love might have an alcohol addiction:

• Feeling sick
• Dizziness/unsteady gait
• Shakes
• Fluctuating temperatures
• Sweats
• Redness of the face
• Skin sores
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Weight gain due to ’empty calories’ being consumed

If you are suffering from alcohol addiction, it can be difficult to know who to turn to for help.

An addiction can put great strain on your personal finances, relationships with others and your employment situation, and can turn into a cycle of destruction if the problem isn’t addressed.

At Asana Lodge, we can help you overcome the difficulty of alcohol addiction and reach sobriety for good. Set in beautiful, tranquil countryside in Towcester, Northamptonshire, we specialise in a range of alcohol and drug rehabilitation programmes, but also pride ourselves on helping those suffering from mental health issues which all too often can come hand-in-hand with addiction.

 

Do I Have An Alcohol Addiction?

Before entering alcohol addiction rehab, it is important to understand your condition’s severity. Take the exercise below and answer with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as honestly as possible. If you like, you can bring a printed version of the below assessment and your answers with you when you enter rehab, as this will give the specialists taking care of you an indication of your needs.

• Are you related to someone with a history of alcohol addiction or abuse?
• Do you find that consuming large amounts of alcohol calms your nerves or anxiety?
• Have you ever been sick frequently as a result of drinking too much alcohol?
• Have you ever considered or been noticed drinking during socially unacceptable times?
• Is your next drink constantly on your mind?
• Would you say that alcohol is one of the most important things in your life?
• Do you worry about living a sober life because of a lack of control?

If you have answered with a ‘yes’ to three or more of these questions, get in touch with the friendly staff at Asana Lodge for more information on how we can help you overcome an addiction to alcohol. For more help and advice on identifying if you have an addiction, contact our admissions team today.

The Health Consequences Of An Alcohol Addiction

When you frequently drink heavy amounts of alcohol, you are risking severe damage to your internal organs, especially the heart and liver. In the long-term, alcohol abuse can lead to liver disease and other associated disorders including hypertension, stroke, heart disease and diabetes.

Mental health risks associated with alcohol addiction include risk of suicide, depression and anxiety. Other symptoms reported include blurred vision, feeling tight-chested, slower reaction times, slow reflex action and delirium. In some individuals, there is also a risk of violence towards others.

Consuming heavy amounts of alcohol can also lead to brain damage known as ARBD (alcohol-related brain damage). Long-term alcohol abuse can result in chemical changes happening within the brain that alter its structure, function and physical shape. Side effects of ARBD include learning difficulties, loss of memory, extreme mood swings and the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

In pregnant women, alcohol abuse and subsequent addiction can be deadly to an unborn child due to alcohol passing to the baby through the placenta. Issues such as foetal alcohol syndrome can occur, resulting in physical and mental development problems such as smaller eyes, thinner lips and under-developed head size.

It is unclear whether there is an actual ‘safe’ amount of alcohol that a pregnant woman can consume, therefore it is strongly advised that pregnant women avoid alcohol completely.