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ALCOHOL FAQS

What is Alcohol?

Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is the primary ingredient found in beer, wine, and spirits that cause intoxication. The formation of alcohol happens when yeast ferments with sugar in different foods. For example, beer is made from the sugar in malted barley, wine is made from the sugar in grapes, and vodka is made from the sugar in potatoes. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and classed as a sedative-hypnotic. Large amounts of alcohol will depress the central nervous system, and small amounts of alcohol will act as a stimulant. People who use alcohol will feel euphoria, become talkative, and will eventually feel drowsy and sleepy. Large amounts of alcohol have the potential to lead to respiratory depression, coma, and even death.

Alcohol has an effect on every organ within the body, and the effects depend on blood alcohol concentration over time. Alcohol is a drug that can affect the body in many ways, and once it is swallowed the alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and moves throughout the body. The liver breaks down most of the alcohol at an average rate of one standard drink per hour. Small amounts of alcohol leave the body through the skin, breath, and urine. The amount of alcohol that is in the blood at any time varies depending on the amount being consumed. Other factors, such as the strength of the alcohol and the speed at which it is consumed, along with age, gender, and body weight, determine blood alcohol content.

Roughly 20% of the alcohol passes through the stomach into the blood. An empty stomach means that alcohol passes through the stomach faster and into the intestines. Food in the stomach slows down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed through the stomach lining. Certain enzymes in the stomach have the ability to break down alcohol before all of it is passed into the intestines. The remaining 75% to 85% of alcohol is absorbed through the small intestines. The alcohol moves throughout your entire body affecting every organ, the central nervous system, and every bodily function. Alcohol is very quickly moved around the body in the bloodstream and stays circulating in the blood until the liver can break it down.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Family Intervention

Overall, millions of Americans consume alcohol, and it is one of the most widely accepted substances within the nation. However, it creates one of the most devastating addictions, which becomes difficult to treat when it goes on too long. Families across the nation struggle with a loved one addicted to alcohol. Most alcoholics do not recognize there is a problem and continue to live their life addicted to alcohol. Still, the family and friends within their lives witness the devastation and destruction caused by alcohol addiction. The average person addicted to alcohol will have had at least one intervention done on them, and usually without success.

The best way to organize an alcohol intervention is by hiring a professional interventionist. Certified interventionists are trained and qualified to manage anyone who is addicted to alcohol. Also, the intervention process helps the family regain control and begin their healing process. Planning and organizing a family intervention can happen quickly. The first step is contacting an intervention group and finding out how the intervention would benefit your loved one. Alcohol is a highly addictive substance and causes significant long-term physical and psychological problems. An alcohol intervention is a way of ensuring the addiction does not kill the person.

Most people who are addicted to alcohol continue to drink despite the consequences to themselves the people around them. Once the family has decided they want to organize an intervention, the next step would be to arrange an alcohol treatment program. Professional intervention groups help families accomplish this as they work with many different alcohol rehabilitation programs across the nation. The average alcohol addiction requires lengthy residential treatment. The best option is a long-term drug rehabilitation program. Typically, long-term treatment lasts three to six months or more, but this depends on the facility.

The first step with rehabilitation is always detox, and depending on the severity of the alcohol addiction, a medically supervised detox may be needed. Severe alcoholism causes dangerous withdrawal symptoms that require proper withdrawal management. Withdrawal management for alcohol addiction involves the use of medication to control and manage withdrawal symptoms. Detox is necessary and cannot be avoided. Also, detox should not be considered the only treatment method because it will not provide the necessary counseling and therapy to manage all aspects of the addiction.

Following the completion of rehabilitation, most recovering alcoholics benefit from peer support or 12-step meetings. Remaining connected to other sober people is essential, and sober living homes are an excellent transition for anyone recovering from alcohol addiction. The road out of alcohol addiction is difficult, but with the right help and rehabilitation, anyone struggling with alcohol addiction can overcome it. Family intervention and alcohol rehabilitation is the most effective solutions to help a loved one struggling with alcohol addiction.

Works cited
https://www.alcohol.org.nz/alcohol-its-effects/about-alcohol/what-happens-when-you-drink-alcohol

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