Alcohol Help Louisville

by Admin on Thursday May 04, 2017

Getting alcohol help Louisville is important if you are trying to recover from addiction

Engaging in alcohol abuse is a dangerous risk that we all take when we drink. Alcoholism is one of the most commonly abused drug in the United States, with more than half of Americans reporting binge drinking within the last month. If you are one of the more than 15 million people in the country struggling with alcohol abuse, there is a solution. The alcohol help Louisville treatment centers offer can give you the tools you need to bring your life back under control.

One of the main causes of the right rate of alcohol addiction is the substance's easy availability and the social acceptance of drinking. However, for some, casual alcohol use can spiral into abuse and eventually addiction due to genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and use of maladaptive coping mechanisms. Alcohol is, by definition, a depressant and has an effect on certain neurotransmitters like GABA that affect mood. With sustained use, the confused brain attempts to compensate for the effect alcohol has by decreasing some inhibitory neurotransmitters and increasing others. These changes are the main reason that withdrawing from alcohol is one of the most dangerous withdrawals known, even when compared to "harder" drugs like heroin or cocaine.

When trying to beat an alcohol addiction, it is crucial to undergo inpatient alcohol detox instead of quitting "cold turkey" at home. The reason being that the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be severe or even life threatening. Common reactions include

Anxiety
Mood swings
Nausea and vomiting
Fever or clamminess
Rapid heartbeat
Shaking
Delirium tremens
Confusion or delirium
Hallucinations
Seizures

Because these symptoms are so dangerous, it is inadvisable to attempt a detox outside of a medical facility. Inpatient alcohol detox is part of the alcohol help Louisville treatment centers offer. Through careful observation and medical monitoring of biofeedback and the patient responses, inpatient alcohol detox allows medical professionals to determine the needs of patients and administer appropriate medication which eases the transition back to sobriety. Though arguably the most physically demanding, this is only the first step in Louisville alcohol abuse programs.

After medically detoxing from alcohol, treatment to address the psychological aspects of addiction can begin. Louisville alcohol abuse programs offer multifaceted treatment for recovering alcoholics to help them achieve lasting recovery. Alcohol help Louisville offers typically involves a stay at an inpatient treatment facility. This environment allows a patient to focus totally on recovery without distractions or temptations that they would otherwise face in daily life. Louisville alcohol abuse programs also ensure that a recovering addict receives individualized and group therapies in order to address any emotional traumas they may have experienced. Healthy coping mechanisms are also taught in Louisville alcohol abuse programs to give recovered addicts the tools they need to face every day stresses and more serious events with a strong, sober approach. There are also complimentary or alternative programs available to enhance an addict's recovery journey, like art and music therapy or even yoga or equine therapies. Louisville alcohol abuse programs seek to make your treatment as unique as you are while remaining committed to evidence based treatment methods that are proven to help you kick your addiction and begin a new, sober life.

There are also medications available to alcoholics seeking the alcohol help Louisville has available. One of these is Naltrexone, which reduces cravings for alcohol in addition to lessening the enjoyment or "relief" that an alcoholic feels upon drinking. Another option is Antabuse, which further discourages drinking by causing nausea or even vomiting when alcohol is ingested. This is achieved by removing the body's ability to produce the enzymes necessary to break down and absorb alcohol. Because these medications need to be taken daily in order to accomplish the intended effect, a strong will and an even stronger, informed support member or group is needed to ensure continued use of the medications.

Alcohol addiction is hard, but the alcohol help Louisville offers can make your journey to sobriety possible. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism, treatment is available through inpatient alcohol detox and Louisville alcohol abuse programs that will give them the strength and information they need to achieve sobriety. For more information, reach out to Louisville Drug Treatment Centers through their website or by calling their 24 hour helpline at (877) 804-1531.

Sources:

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/alcoholfacts&stats/AlcoholFacts&Stats.pdf

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000764.htm

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh21-2/144.pdf