Alcohol addiction is a disease. It is one of the most common forms of addiction in our country and has been that way for years. Alcohol addiction is not about somebody just partying a little too hard, a little too often. Alcohol abuse affects the brain and people who are addicted to alcohol may not be able to recover on their own without support and assistance.
Alcohol use is prevalent throughout our society. In fact, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reported that in 2017 an astounding 86.3% of people who were 18 or older reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lifetime. Another 70.1% reported that they drank in the past year, while still another 55.9% reported that they drank in the past month. Those numbers are really telling, as many continue to struggle with alcohol abuse. Fortunately, the alcohol addiction treatment programs at all of our locations can help if you are struggling with alcohol abuse.
So when does drinking become a drinking problem? If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the following signs, there may be an alcohol dependence present.
If alcohol consumption is leading to any of the symptoms mentioned above, there are treatment options that can help. If you spot any of these warning signs in yourself or someone that you know, contact BrightView today. 888-501-9865
Alcohol addiction has many side effects and can be a risk to both the individual with an alcohol use disorder, as well as the people around them. Not only can alcoholism affect family and other relationships on an emotional level, but it can also be dangerous if the person is drinking and driving. The CDC reports that every day in the United States there are 29 fatalities due to impaired driving. This equates to one life lost every 50 minutes.
There are also plenty of physical effects related to alcohol abuse. Below we’ve listed just some of the short-term and long-term health effects associated with the disease.
At BrightView, we take a comprehensive approach for treating all substance abuse, whether it be alcohol or drug addiction. This is not a “rehab” center. BrightView’s intensive outpatient programs focus on creating long-term success for our patients in the treatment of the disease of addiction.
We use medication assisted treatment or MAT, which can include naltrexone for patients who are struggling with alcohol addiction. Using medications, when combined with individual therapy and support groups is proven to have lasting effects when treating substance abuse.
If you or a loved one need help beating the disease of alcoholism, BrightView can help. Reach out to our caring team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 888-501-9865
