Alcohol Addiction Intervention and Treatment in Texas

Alcohol addiction intervention and treatment in Texas includes multiple resources to help families intervene, find alcohol detox and alcohol rehab programs. Alcohol addiction is a common problem that many Texans struggle with. Most alcohol addictions begin with heavy drinking or binge drinking. Alcohol is commonly used to manage stress or cope with physical and psychological problems. Treating alcohol addiction involves multiple steps. Most families must organize a family intervention to motivate the alcohol-addicted family member to seek help.

The first step in treating alcohol addiction is an alcohol detox to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. There are circumstances where alcohol withdrawal becomes life-threatening, requiring medically supervised detox. The next phase of alcohol rehab involves attending residential or outpatient treatment. Residential alcohol rehab programs in Texas are the better options to help someone struggling with alcohol addiction. Residential and outpatient drug rehab centers offer long-term and short-term treatment options. Upon completing alcohol rehab, it is also important to follow through with aftercare support like peer recovery groups, 12-step meetings, and sober living homes. Well-rounded alcohol rehab in Texas should help a patient physically, mentally, and spiritually.

What is Alcohol?

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance with dependence-producing properties. The harmful use of alcohol causes a large disease, social and economic burden in Texas. The impact of alcohol consumption on chronic and acute health outcomes in Texas largely depends on the total volume of alcohol consumed and the pattern of drinking. Alcohol is a drug that is classified as a depressant as it slows down vital functions. Alcohol intoxication causes slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perception, and an inability to react quickly. Although alcohol is classified as a depressant, the amount of alcohol consumed determines the type of effect.

Alcohol is made through fermentation and distillation. Fermentation occurs when the sugars in fruits and grains combine with yeast to yield ethanol. Distillation involves fermenting raw materials such as grains, molasses, potatoes, etc., and heating that mixture to boil off ethanol and capture the alcohol vapors. Alcohol is a dangerous drug, especially when used with other drugs like prescription sedatives or pain medication. Fermented drinks like beer or wine contain 2% to 20% alcohol, while distilled drinks or liquor contain 40% to 50% or more alcohol. Alcohol poisoning or overdose is common, and the effects include the inability to feel pain, toxicity where the body vomits, unconsciousness, coma, and even death.

What are the Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse?

Alcohol affects both the body and mind, and alcohol rehab centers in Texas manage all forms of alcohol addiction. There are significant psychological and physical consequences to over drinking and alcohol abuse. Binge drinkers, heavy drinkers, or individuals that are not consuming alcohol regularly can still experience short-term effects. The liver can only metabolize one standard drink of alcohol per hour. Consuming more than one alcoholic beverage per hour leads to intoxication. The short-term effects of alcohol use include lowered inhibition, trouble concentrating, loss of coordination, loss of critical judgment, dulled perception, mood swings, raised body temperature, passing out, and vomiting.

Drinking too much or chronic drinking causes physical and mental health issues. Heavy drinking or binge drinking contributes to liver damage, cardiovascular disease, and multiple types of cancer. The long-term effects of heavy or chronic drinking include diminished gray and white matter in the brain. Alcoholics also experience memory loss, loss of attention span, trouble learning, alcoholics hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, and irregular heartbeat. Binge drinking leads to alcohol poisoning. The signs of alcohol poisoning include confusion, nausea, vomiting, slowed or irregular breathing, pale skin, low body temperature, unconsciousness, and seizures.

In addition, alcohol abuse impacts the liver causing liver disease, and it affects the digestive system, pancreas, central nervous system, and cardiovascular health. Alcohol abuse has a significant impact psychologically, and excessive alcohol use can lead to alcohol-induced psychiatric syndromes causing major depressive episodes and anxiety. Alcohol detox and alcohol rehabilitation in Texas treat mild to severe alcohol addiction providing the resources needed to overcome alcoholism.

What Causes Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction occurs for several reasons, and generally, there are risk factors, conditions, or experiences that increase the chance of becoming addicted to alcohol. Alcoholism refers to the use of alcohol that results in the person experiencing significant distress and or dysfunction in daily life. There is no single identified cause that leads to the development of alcoholism, and every person has different contributing factors that lead to their alcoholism. For example, family history and growing up in a home where excessive alcohol consumption occurs frequently increases the risk of alcohol addiction.

Additionally, individuals that grow up in or are part of an abusive environment physically or mentally are at an increased risk of alcohol abuse and addiction. Many individuals who experience trauma or stress or who experience some traumatic event are at increased risk of alcohol abuse. Many young people that use alcohol succumb to peer pressure, and the age of first use has much to do with why a person becomes addicted to alcohol. Generally, men are more likely than women to become addicted to alcohol. Men and women manage stress differently, requiring different alcohol addiction treatment in Texas to manage the addiction.

There are many factors that influence how and to what extent alcohol affects a person, eventually leading to alcohol addiction. Initially, this includes how much and how often a person drinks, the age at which he or she first began drinking, and how long he or she has been drinking. In addition, it includes the person’s age, level of education, gender, and family history. Someone exposed to prenatal alcohol exposure and a general health status contributes to the risk of alcohol addiction.  

Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Detox in Texas

Alcohol addiction treatment and alcohol detox in Texas include different methodologies and treatment approaches to manage all severity of alcohol addiction. The first step in treating alcohol addiction involves alcohol detox to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The severity of alcohol withdrawal depends on the extent of addiction. When a person with significant alcohol dependence stops drinking, the brain and nervous system become temporarily hyperexcitable. Common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, agitation, insomnia, irritability, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, tremors, and seizures.

Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms include high fever, hallucinations, grand mal seizures, and severe mental confusion. Medical detox in Texas effectively manages alcohol withdrawal before residential or outpatient alcohol rehab. Upon completing detox, the next step involves attending a residential or outpatient alcohol rehab center. Residential alcohol rehab centers in Texas offer the best resources to help alcoholics. Both outpatient and residential alcohol rehab offers behavioral counseling, holistic treatment, or experiential therapy. Treatment for alcohol addiction does not end with alcohol rehab. Recovering alcoholics should follow through with 12-step meetings, peer support groups, or sober living homes. Aftercare support and recovery are important, especially for life-long alcoholics. 

Family Intervention for Alcohol Addiction in Texas

Most people struggling with alcohol addiction are unwilling to accept help or admit they have an alcohol addiction. Family intervention in Texas for alcohol addiction helps the family motivate the alcoholic to seek help and attend alcohol rehab. During an alcohol intervention, friends and family come together with the help of a professional interventionist to convince the alcoholic they need help. With the help of an interventionist, everyone involved demonstrates how their alcoholism has impacted their lives and their family lives.

Family intervention helps the family set clear boundaries and follow through with consequences if the alcohol-addicted family member does not commit to alcohol rehab. A carefully planned family intervention works. However, a poorly planned family intervention worsens the situation and makes the alcohol-addicted family member feel attacked and more withdrawn. Professional interventionists are effective options to help families save the life of their loved ones.

Sources-

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol   

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/what-standard-drink