Alcohol Treatment: How To Stop Drinking
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) affects nearly 15 million people just in the United States – yet, only 7.3% of adults receive the alcohol treatment they need to stop drinking and regain control over their lives.
With an increasing number of people affected by alcohol, binge drinking numbers, and high-intensity drinking instances, it has never been so important to redefine your relationship with alcohol and understand its deep impact on your life. At Peaks Recovery, we know that the journey towards a long-term recovery is not a short one – that is why we are here to provide tailored and professional support at each step of the way.
Drinking Alcohol: What You Need To Know
Alcoholic drinks contain ethanol, an alcoholic substance that is usually the result of the fermentation of fruits or grains. The consumption of alcohol is deeply engraved in many cultures, used to toast at important occasions, and defining many social interactions.
However, consumption of alcohol – whether this happens in moderation or in high quantities – can affect our emotional and physical health and quality of life. Today, alcohol is responsible for a whopping 5.3% of deaths worldwide – or over 88,000 annual deaths in the US. As these numbers are increasing, stopping drinking has become a vital decision to take.
How Does Drinking Alcohol Affect the Brain?
Alcohol affects the brain in many ways. When under the influence of this substance, it is possible to experience difficulty walking, slurred speech, and blurred vision. Drinking can also prolong reaction times and impair memories, which are side effects that can lead to catastrophic consequences, especially when driving or operating machinery under the influence.
Most of these effects start to be visible after drinking one or two alcoholic drinks and they often disappear within hours. However, according to the CDC long-term alcohol consumption is linked to high blood pressure, gastrointestinal issues, stroke, liver disease, and some types of cancer such as mouth, liver, colon, breast, and throat cancer.
Consuming alcohol on a regular basis also impacts interpersonal relationships and a person’s financial situation.
The Questions To Ask Yourself To Know If You Need Help
If you have noticed that you drink more than you wish to, you might have asked yourself the question “am I an alcoholic?”. However, answering this question can be extremely difficult, especially because alcohol abuse comes in many forms. To understand whether you need help, some better questions to ask yourself include:
- Can I easily stop drinking after one or two drinks?
- Is drinking your response to an emotional status (stress, anger, etc.)?
- Can I go some days without drinking?
- Do I need to hide when drinking?
- Are my loved ones concerned about my drinking habits?
- Do I crave alcohol?
- Do I often think about having a drink?
- Are you drinking in social situations or alone?
- Have you ever wished to cut down your drinking?
- Do you binge drink or drink heavily often?
Drinking alcohol plays a role in many social situations and occasions, but such a habit can transform into Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) without you realizing it. If you have answered yes to any of the questions above, or you have taken an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and it has resulted positive, you should consider finding alcohol treatment.
Alcohol Treatment Options: The Journey To Recovery
The first step towards long-term recovery is understanding that there is more than one option to address and treat alcohol addiction. Some of these include:
- Medical Detox – an intensive, medically aided detox program is the first step of the journey, providing professional support and withdrawal management strategies.
- Inpatient – for more intense addictions, the inpatient alcohol treatment represents a definitive solution that reduces the chances of relapses and provides ongoing support.
- Outpatient – outpatient rehab programs are more suitable for those with milder alcohol addiction and cause minimal disruptions to your daily life.
- Counseling Sessions – allow you to find ongoing support and avoid relapses
- Joining a Group – learning from other people’s experiences can help you find the support you need to regain control over your life.
What To Expect From Alcohol Treatment
Finding the right alcohol treatment option for your needs can make a difference in how successful your journey will be. What to expect from it will depend on the treatment you have chosen, and the admissions team at the Peaks Recovery Centers will be ready to answer all of your questions.
However, some of the features you will always be able to rely on 24/7 professional support from specialized healthcare professionals, family members and friends involvement, tailored treatment options, and state-of.-the-art facilities and techniques.
Find Out How Peaks Recovery Can Help
At the Peaks Recovery Centers, we understand that the consequences of alcohol drinking and abuse can be catastrophic and affect many areas of your life. That is why we provide tailored alcohol treatment options aimed to support you throughout each step of your journey to a sober life – and beyond. Get in touch today to discover the best alcohol treatment option for your needs and life goals.