There are multiple risks and known signs of alcohol abuse. This article attempts to explain alcohol withdrawal symptoms along with corresponding alcohol detox. As well as, how to perceive signs and dangers of alcohol addiction to help somebody dealing with addiction, what withdrawal symptoms are, and lastly detox treatments like that from Ambrosia Treatment Center to assist with alcohol detox to guide you to initial recovery.
Signs of Alcohol Abuse
Since alcohol consumption is so typical in America, it can be challenging to determine the indications of alcohol abuse. There is no definite chart that we can use to decide if somebody is an alcoholic or an alcohol abuser. Nonetheless, there are undoubtedly a lot of indications of liquor misuse that are conspicuous.
Below is a list of indications of alcohol abuse. First-time drinkers may be sure to show most of these signs. Concerning perceiving liquor misuse, the first sign is recurrence. Any individual who gets alcoholic will appear at any rate the accompanying side effects. Somebody who shows these signs most of the time might be a liquor victimizer.
- An extremely high tolerance to alcohol
- Bloodshot eyes
- Compulsive, sometimes risky behavior
- Vomiting / Nausea
- Excessive cologne, gum-chewing or other attempts to mask an odor
- Unprovoked agitation or aggression
- An aroma of alcohol
- Blackouts
- Dizziness or lack of coordination
- Excessive sweating
- Difficulty talking, walking, and/or standing up
Risks of Alcohol Abuse
Under two years prior, the pace of alcohol-caused deaths was at its peak in America since 1979, as indicated by the Washington Post. In 1979, a little more than eight in every 100,000 individuals passed away from liquor-incited causes. In 2015, that number nearly arrived at ten, coming in at 9.5 per 100,000. Besides, this was a 37% increase since 2002. More terrible yet, these numbers DO NOT INCLUDE alcoholic driving mishaps and do exclude any liquor-related murders.
Through and through, alcohol causes around 88,000 passing consistently, and that is simply in America alone. Europe is experiencing its alcohol-related crisis, and the latest news says England is in transit to encounter untouched death rates from liquor. There are numerous dangers of alcohol abuse to try and run down here without the article transforming into a scroll of side effects/symptoms. Nonetheless, we need to give you a portion of the more typical dangers of liquor misuse. We provide two separate lists that are broken down into short-term risks and long-term risks.
The short-term risks of alcohol abuse include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Alcohol poisoning, (possibly land you in the hospital for a stomach pumping, and can indeed be fatal)
- Impaired judgment, (leads to engagement in risky behavior/injury)
- Blacking-out, (a form of temporary amnesia and may have more serious long-term effects than currently known)
- Bodily dysfunction, (which includes everything from motor skills to incontinence)
- Extreme emotional distress
The long-term risks of alcohol abuse include:
- Cirrhosis of the liver and/or pancreas, (which could lead to cancer)
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Several different heart conditions
- Brain damage
- Uncontrollable shaking/tremors
- Kidney failure
- Insomnia
Recognizing Alcoholism & Stepping In
Even though Alcohol abuse is not alcohol addiction, which is commonly known as alcoholism. In any case, if you happen to know and care about someone who is either unquestionably an alcoholic, or someone who you think maybe, there are ways to step in, intervene, and getting involved in the aid process… and obviously you can step in and help yourself too. Being that alcohol, similar to most substances, abuse is the step right before addiction. However, there are some ways to tell the difference between abuse and addiction.
Abusive behavior consists of using a substance to the point of intoxication. While Addiction consists of repeating that process on a regular routine basis. A good example of alcohol abuse would be someone single-handedly drinking an entire six-pack of beer in one sitting with the goal of getting drunk. An example of addiction would be someone doing that every night, or even most nights. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychological Association, offers scientific criteria regarding telling abuse vs. addiction, for further reading.
Stepping in and intervening when it comes to someone we know has a problem is never an easy thing to do. We love these people, and we do not want to hurt them, but we love them enough to know they are hurting themselves, and perhaps at a deadly rate. In such extreme cases, professional intervention is recommended. When it comes to simply trying to help someone you love, keep these tips in mind:
Alcohol abuse is not necessarily alcohol addiction, which is traditionally known as alcoholism. Regardless, if you know and care about someone who is either definitely an alcoholic, or someone who you suspect may be, there are ways to step in, intervene, and being the process of helping… and of course you can step in and help yourself too. With alcohol, as with most substances, abuse is the step directly preceding addiction. However, there are some ways to tell abuse and addiction apart.
Abuse consists of using a substance to the point of intoxication. Addiction consists of repeating that process on a regular basis. An example of abuse would be someone drinking an entire six-pack of beer in one sitting and getting drunk. An example of addiction would be someone doing that every night, or even most nights. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychological Association, offers scientific criteria regarding telling abuse vs. addiction, for further reading.
Stepping in and intervening when it comes to someone, we know has a problem is never an easy thing to do. We love these people, and we do not want to hurt them, but we love them enough to know they are hurting themselves, and perhaps at a deadly rate. In such extreme cases, professional intervention is recommended. When it comes to simply trying to help someone you love, keep these tips in mind:
- Maintain per usual rapport you already have with the person. Avoid Acting differently will likely arouse suspicion.
- Do not demand the person to seek help. Simply state your concerns.
- Encourage the possibility of support, but do not be forceful.
- Do not call the person an alcoholic. Try to start sentences with “I” and not “You”.
Alcohol Withdrawal
Sadly, withdrawal from alcohol is one of the most dangerous of all substance withdrawal processes due to involuntary seizures. Many alcohol abusers quit cold turkey unsupervised without the necessary professional help. Unfortunately, alcohol withdrawal is always dangerous to some degree, but it becomes particularly unsafe when attempted alone.
The bottom line in any person’s rehab journey is that all pain or discomfort felt along the path to recovery will be completely forgotten about once the bliss of sobriety and healthy living comes rushing back into their lives. Any struggles at this point along the path are well worth the normalcy and stability of a life without alcohol abuse.
What follows is a rundown of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Still, please be aware that with our professional help from us here at Ambrosia Treatment Center, many of these symptoms can be avoided but can also be treatable. As you begin to read this list of symptoms, be aware that quitting alcohol without seeking treatment with professional supervision puts you much more at risk than quitting with the proper help.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Seizures
- Tremors, which include Delirium tremens, a possibly fatal condition
- Anxiety and heightened nervousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Acute headache
- Increased heart rate
- Extreme agitation and aggression
- Loss of appetite
- Restlessness or insomnia
To reiterate, the symptoms described are much more likely to occur and much more likely to be worse if an alcoholic stops drinking without help. Ambrosia Treatment Center can provide all the necessary support for someone suffering from drug addiction to begin their path towards recovery the best way possible. As mentioned before, the first step is detoxification, commonly called detox, which safely and effectively removes alcohol from the body. Even though there may not be a manual to tell abuse from addiction, there is indeed a manual on the steps to provide detox from alcohol, and we here at Ambrosia Treatment Center may well have written it.
About Our Alcohol Detox Program
At Ambrosia Treatment Center, our alcohol detox program offers a safe, friendly and comfortable environment for individuals seeking help and suffering from alcohol and drug dependency to recover in a tranquil, drug-free setting receiving constant support from our professional staff. The essential first step would be Alcohol detoxification; this is comprised of a supervised period with zero alcohol intake. This period is to ensure effective treatment and the management of alcohol-related addiction. Our staff members and clinicians offer 24/7 support to all our clients throughout the entire recovery process. Furthermore, to care for alcohol withdrawal symptoms, we encourage our clients to support one another throughout the process and receive education and counseling about their addiction problem and its effective treatment. Another main benefit of detoxing with Ambrosia Treatment Center is that the road to sobriety is tailored to every individualized need. Our recovery plan we provide encourages the adjustment needed to sustain sobriety.
Ambrosia Treatment Center patrons begin their alcohol detox treatment with an intake process to help the clinical teams better understand the needs of the individual, thus creating a plan that will work for them. During the intake process, a medical, drug, alcohol, and current physical well-being history will be assessed. Clinicians on staff have tremendous experience working with alcohol addiction and have acquired many skills crucial to understanding where our clients stand and how to offer help in terms of withdrawal symptoms.
As stated previously, alcohol withdrawal is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that can begin as soon as two hours after the last drink. For certain individuals who have been drinking heavily for weeks, months, or years, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can rapidly intensify, so it’s essential to seek medical attention even when symptoms seem mild at first.
Our experts say, “There is no such thing as being too careful in this situation.”
What to Expect During Alcohol Detox
Initially, during the first few days without liquor, an alcoholic is most likely to experience a variety of physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. Due to the mind and body adjusting to functioning without a large amount of alcohol in its system when an individual ceases drinking, these functions need to readjust. The team at Ambrosia Treatment Center is committed to ensuring a safe and comfortable transition for our clients during this time. The team can begin to focus primarily on identifying and treating the causes of individual’s addictive behavior. After the intake process is complete, most clients in our alcohol detox program receive detoxification from alcohol in an effort to stabilize withdrawal symptoms or any medical complications. In some cases, pharmacological assistance will be needed, which would involve counter-indicative medication to offset withdrawal symptoms. This assistance is also necessary when there are co-occurring mental health disorders or underlying medical ailments complicated by substance abuse
During the first few days without alcohol, an alcoholic is likely to experience a variety of different physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. Since the brain, body and mind are adjusting to functioning with a large amount of alcohol present, when an individual ceases drinking, these functions need to readjust. We are committed to ensuring a safe and comfortable transition for our clients during this time, so they can begin to focus on identifying and treating the causes for addictive behavior.
Following the intake process, most clients in our alcohol detox program undergo detoxification from alcohol to stabilize withdrawal symptoms or any medical complications. In some cases, pharmacological assistance may be needed, involving counter-indicative medication to offset withdrawal symptoms. This is also necessary when there are co-occurring mental health disorders or underlying medical ailments complicated by substance abuse.
Medication & Alcohol Detox Treatment
Medications such as Benzodiazepines, commonly known as Xanax, are a class of drug which is commonly used throughout the alcohol detoxification process—prescribed in small amounts in our supervised alcohol detox facilities to help with withdrawal sensations.
The medication is considered mild tranquilizers and bring short-term relief from insomnia and anxiety problems. The drugs in this family also have anticonvulsant properties, which helps with relaxing the muscles. It is critical to take the first step and seek help in an alcohol detox program to reduce the s
significant damage done by alcohol abuse and addiction.
The treatment and comprehensive care offered at Ambrosia Treatment Center ensures the ability to overcome addiction’s physical and mental aspects. This achievement will promote the determination necessary to begin building the tools required to engage in long-term addiction recovery successfully.
Get Alcohol Addiction Treatment in South Florida
Alcohol is a hazardous substance that can:
- Cause addiction in a short time frame.
- Can kill you from excess drinking by getting alcohol poisoning or
- Can kill you from the withdrawal symptoms of quitting cold turkey
- And the worst part above all is that it is legal.
Therefore, caution and responsibility are paramount when consuming alcohol. If you or a loved one is suffering from alcoholism or suspect alcoholism, please do not hesitate to contact Ambrosia Treatment Center in South Florida today. We can be the first step toward a healthy, alcohol-free life.
