What is Alcoholism?
Alcohol is a neurotransmitter inhibitor that forces your brain to release more pleasurable neurotransmitters than it should. The positive effects you experience during intoxication are a result of a sudden rush of neurotransmitters that cause your brain to connect alcohol with pleasure. Your liver is capable of filtering one serving of alcohol every 90 minutes, which makes consuming large amounts of alcohol dangerous. Alcohol intoxication can cause feelings of euphoria and relaxation but in large amounts can cause anger, irritability, and lowered inhibitions. Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause blackouts and memory loss. Because alcohol impairs your judgment and coordination, abusing alcohol can increase conflict with others, as you are more likely to engage in arguments and altercations when drunk. Since alcoholism leads to significant changes to your brain chemistry and significant neurotransmitter imbalances, abusing alcohol can aggravate underlying mental health disorders. Some common signs and symptoms of alcoholism can include:- Drinking as soon as you wake up
- Showing up to work or school drunk or hungover
- Increasing the amount you drink as your tolerance builds
- Regretting things you say or do while drunk
- Having friends or loved ones confront you about your drinking
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program Benefits
Admitting that you may need to seek alcohol addiction treatment is a sign that you may have lost control of your drinking. Substance abuse treatment programs specialize in teaching you how to manage symptoms and remain sober so you can successfully recover from alcoholism. Alcohol addiction treatment program benefits include helping you learn how to identify and change negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Understanding how negative thinking patterns are connected with your emotions and actions improves your ability to remain sober and handle triggers. Increased recovery rates and reduced relapse rates are two other alcohol addiction treatment program benefits, as programs teach you how to cope with triggers and cravings. An alcohol addiction treatment center program can offer:- Partial hospitalization treatment
- Substance abuse treatment
- Holistic therapies
- Medically supervised detox services
- Aftercare and discharge planning