Bay Area Recovery Center drug rehabs have successfully treated individuals with alcoholism for over 30 years with thousands of clients who have stayed sober for the long-term.
Alcoholism is not a problem that you or your family should have to go through alone. We are here to help, give us a call anytime for answers.
What Is Alcoholism
In the case of alcoholism, the body has an abnormal physical reaction to alcohol. This allergy, once developed, produces craving for more, and once an alcoholic starts drinking they have little control over the amount they take. Once a person has developed an allergy to alcohol they can never return to a “normal” drinker again. Once a pickle always a pickle, they can never go back to being a cucumber.
Alcoholism consists of three factors.
- The first is the physical allergy or phenomenon of craving. This is what is unique to alcoholics and never occurs in normal drinkers.
- The second factor is the obsession of the mind. This is where the problem centers and what convinces an alcoholic to take the first drink.
- The third factor is the enteral or spiritual condition known as the malady. This is what causes many of us to be diagnosed with depression bipolar or with anxiety disorders. The restlessness irritability and feelings of discontent are what drive alcoholics to treat their alcoholism with what they know works, alcohol
How We Treat Alcoholism At BARC
With over 3 decades of experience, our experts have created programs for alcoholism that works long term. We have helped thousands achieve a life of sobriety.
We are talking about more than simply abstaining from alcohol. We give clients the tools necessary to live sober, while being productive members of socIety.
All of our programs are backed by medical literature and scientific evidence, which tells us alcoholism is a disease (above). Alcoholism is not an issue of willpower or abstinence. It is much deeper than that. It affects the entire person, which includes the mind, body and soul.
Simple detoxing and abstaining from drinking does not treat alcoholism.
Our program has three steps outlined below:
- Step 1 – Medically Assisted Detox & Withdrawal Management
- Step 2 – Residential Inpatient (30-60-90 days or more)
- Step 3 – Outpatient Program
We have inpatient facilities for men, and women, including rehab locations across the houston metro area for clients seeking treatment.
Alcohol Withdrawal
Because alcohol withdrawal can be extremely dangerous, seeking medical treatment from a professional is highly recommended.This will make the withdrawal phase much safer, effective, and bearable. Often, clients will find a medically assisted program more appealing to someone who is ready, but reluctant due to the withdrawal phase.
Treatments may include round-the-clock monitoring and prescription medication to stabilize a client’s organ function. Medication is also used to stabilize the clients mood, and avoiding severe depression and anxiety during this phase.
Detox facilities are staffed by medical professionals 24/7 and every detox plan is signed off by a M.D. on staff.
How Long Does It Take?
Detox is based on the individual and their level of physical dependency, how often a person drinks, how much, their age, physical health, and many other factors. Seerity of symptoms will also depend upon similar factors.
Withdrawal from Alcohol can be life threatening. Without medical supervision, a patient can have strokes, seizures, and even death.
When Do Withdrawal Symptoms Begin?
The onset and severity of withdrawal symptoms are also directly correlated to how much and how long was spent in active alcoholism.
For heavy drinkers, the symptoms can appear as early as two hours after the last drink, and increase in intensity depending on the level of alcohol addiction.
For most, it takes five to seven days to see a decrease in the most powerful symptoms of withdrawal.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms (AWS)
When you drink every day, the body acclimates to having alcohol in the system , which causes the nervous system to become dependent on a steady level of alcohol. It loses the ability to adapt without alcohol. When alcohol is removed from the system, the body reacts with symptoms called Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS).
These symptoms can start pretty quickly once a person stops drinking. The severity of physical and mental health symptoms will depend upon the level of physical addiction to alcohol.
Physical & Mental Symptoms include:
- Mild anxiety
- Shakiness
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Nightmares
- Abdominal Pain
- Confusion
- Fever
- Agitation
- Seizures
- And in some cases hallucinations
- restlessness
- Discontent
- Fear
- Anger
- Depression
- Remorse
- Guilt
Short Term Effects of Alcohol on the Body
- Blurred Vision
- Slurred Speech
- Dulled Senses
- Reduced Inhibitions
- Reduced Coordination
- Loss of Body Heat
- Increased Urination
- Slowed Breathing
- Unstable Gate
Long Term Effects of Alcohol on the Body:
- Encephalopathy (Wet Brain)
- Irregular Heartbeat
- High Blood Pressure
- Steatosis (Fatty Liver)
- Alcoholic Hepatitis (Cirrhosis)
- Pancreatitis
- Weakened Immune System
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Osteoporosis
How To Tell If You Are Addicted To Alcohol
- Depression
- Guilt about drinking
- Drinking more than you intend to; you can’t control yourself
- Drinking to the point of “blacking out”
- Lying to others about your drinking
- Chronically miss work or family events because of drinking
- Trusted friends or family members have confided that they are worried about your drinking habits
- Withdrawal symptoms occur when alcohol consumption has ceased
Is it time to get started?
If you have additional questions, please feel free to call us and we’ll be happy to help. You can also complete this simple form and we’ll get in touch as soon as we can.
