Wondering “Is alcohol addictive?” Perhaps you are an individual that tells others that you “Can stop drinking whenever I want to stop drinking.” Perhaps you stopped drinking in the past and started again, or maybe you cannot stop drinking. The caring, professional staff at the alcohol addiction treatment center in TN understands the effects that alcohol has on a person.
Just how addictive is alcohol anyway? When you enter into treatment at The Ranch, you quickly discover that we understand how addictive is alcohol to your brain, your body, your overall health, and your well-being.
How Addictive is Alcohol?
You likely started drinking socially, enjoying a drink with friends, perhaps enjoying a night out after a long week at work. Many people start drinking more often gradually until they potentially do not realize that they no longer want to drink, but that they ‘need’ to drink.
Alcoholism is a disease characterized by many addiction issues. The Mayo Clinic explains that any unhealthy alcohol consumption potentially puts your health and safety at risk. When you continue a pattern of alcohol misuse, the effects on your brain and overall health potentially leads to a myriad of severe complications and other problems.
Drinking alcohol over time leads to multiple health problems, including affecting the areas of the brain that are associated with pleasure, control over your behaviors, and decision-making abilities. Alcohol is so addictive that it changes the normal functioning of these areas of the brain as you consume more alcohol each time that you drink, or as you drink more often.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism indicates that alcohol use disorder is a chronic relapsing brain disease that has distinct characteristics. Characteristics include experiencing a loss of control over your alcohol intake, compulsive alcohol use, and negative emotional state when you are not using alcohol.
When alcohol leads to addiction, you experience a variety of short-term issues, such as:
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Injuries such as motor vehicle accidents or serious falls
- Exhibiting violence such as committing domestic violence or other violent crimes
- Alcohol poisoning which sometimes leads to emergency department visits or even death
Long Term Issues of Alcohol Addiction
The Centers for Disease Control and Addiction (CDC) reveals that there are many long-term issues related to alcohol use disorder, including:
- Social problems including the loss of family and friends or employment
- Hypertension or heart attack or liver disease
- Memory issues that possibly lead to dementia
- Co-occurring mental health issues
- Increased risk of developing some types of cancer
Have you found your answer to “Is alcohol addictive?” The specialists at The Ranch have the expertise to guide you through understanding alcohol addiction. And assisting you with getting the treatment that you need to live your life free of alcohol use.
What Kind of Treatment Do I Need for my Alcohol Addiction?
The first step to treating your alcohol addiction is not treatment. Does that sound confusing? The caring detox team assists you through the detox process, including withdrawal symptoms. The caring team makes sure that you receive the medical detox services that prepare you for alcohol use disorder treatment.
Once you complete detox, you enter into your treatment program. Your treatment will not be the same treatment as a friend or loved one that undergoes treatment for addiction to alcohol. Every person receives a comprehensive assessment, and then, receives an individualized treatment program based on their own treatment needs.
Many people with alcohol addiction also use other drugs. The Ranch Treatment Centers offers a variety of addiction treatment programs near Nashville, including:
- Inpatient treatment programs
- Outpatient treatment
- Rehab aftercare program
- Addiction therapy programs in TN
- Mental health treatment
Do you have a co-occurring mental health disorder? Many individuals experience depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental health disorders, along with their alcohol addiction issues. Experience the comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment in Tennessee, where our caring professionals help you receive treatment for both your substance abuse and mental health treatment needs.
Call The Ranch TN at 1.844.876.7680 and regain control over your life. Contact us to start on your path to recovery today, and learn to live a healthy lifestyle free of alcohol.
