Alcohol addiction affects a large portion of adult Americans, and following COVID 19, addiction rates have skyrocketed. Nearly 100,000 people die from alcohol and related accidents in a year.
But what causes alcohol addiction? What are the signs and symptoms? Can it be treated?
At Starbridge Recovery, our alcohol detox and addiction treatment program offers individualized and specialized care for individuals who are ready to make a change to their lifestyle. Our clients can achieve and maintain sobriety in a holistic and rehabilitative way through advanced programming.
What Causes Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction is caused when individuals misuse alcohol. It generally stems from an individual who could be described as a problem drinker and displays unsafe drinking habits when drinking alone and with friends. The causes of alcohol addiction can also sometimes be attributed to environment and genetics.
When individuals display unsafe drinking habits, they are at risk of developing an addiction. While problem drinkers are not addicts, their behavior can often lead to it. Problem drinkers are described as individuals who drink and behave in an unsafe manner when drinking. This includes individuals who binge drink, mix alcohol with other drugs, and participate in unsafe activities while drinking.
But sometimes, it’s not even as complicated as that. Individuals who are exposed to alcohol and addiction at an early age are more likely to engage in unsafe use. Additionally, children with parents who have an addiction to drugs or alcohol are more likely to experience addiction.
While there is no direct cause for alcohol addiction, individuals who choose to drink excessively should monitor their behavior and look for signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
The signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse are evident when a person is and isn’t drinking.
When an alcoholic is drinking, you may notice that they drink more than they used to, trying to achieve the same feeling, have significant changes in behavior, personality, and mood, or neglect responsibilities in favor of drinking. These behaviors are indicators of a deeper problem.
You should also note that when an alcoholic isn’t drinking, they often spend a large amount of time thinking about drinking, possibly displaying physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, or having major mood or anxiety levels changes.
When an individual becomes addicted to alcohol, it is pervasive and affects every aspect of their lives. Individuals struggling with addiction need therapeutic treatment to help manage this disorder.
Treatment Options for Alcoholism
When it comes to options for treatment of an alcohol use disorder, there are many options available based on individual needs. Clients can access detox, inpatient care, outpatient care, and even some locations have telehealth options for clients who need to complete part of their treatment in an alternative location.
The first option for all clients in the treatment process is detoxification. Detoxification is the process of removing toxins from the body and is called withdrawal. Individuals who undergo withdrawal may experience anxiety, depression, fatigue, irritability, shakiness, and mood swings. These mild symptoms can worsen based on how withdrawal and detox are handled, including that an individual experiences tremors, hallucinations, and even seizures. Alcohol withdrawal should always be medically monitored for the safety of the client and those around them.
The second step of the treatment process varies. Most individuals with addiction require some kind of inpatient rehabilitation to start. Often this is due to a moderate to severe diagnosis or a comorbid mental health disorder. When individuals undergo inpatient rehabilitation, they reside at a treatment facility and work with on-site counselors, therapists, medical professionals, and other staff through an addiction treatment program designed to meet their needs.
The other option is an outpatient rehabilitation program. Through this program, individuals live in a drug-free home and attend addiction treatment on a campus or through digital telehealth to continue their program. Meeting with a therapist or counselor to continue treatment is necessary. Outpatient programs require an individual to be completely motivated to succeed because they are extremely difficult for clients just starting out.
Alcohol Detox in Los Angeles, CA
At Starbridge Recovery, we offer comprehensive detoxification and inpatient rehabilitative services to our clients seeking to make a change in their mental and physical health. We work with clients to develop individualized treatment plans that meet their specific needs and work on relapse prevention and coping-skill development throughout our programming.
Contact us today for comprehensive alcohol detox in Los Angeles, CA.