Alcoholism is a chronic illness that can have devastating consequences, both for the person addicted to alcohol and their family. It is important to know what alcoholism looks like so that you know when a person may be suffering from alcoholism and how best to help them. Alcohol addiction can cause many problems in a person’s life – from physical health issues like liver disease or heart failure to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
The only way to safely beat alcoholism is with professional help through alcohol rehab programs in Orange County like Hillside Mission Recovery. In this post, we will explain alcoholism, its effects, and how getting help at an alcohol rehab in Orange County can make all the difference to the life of the person addicted and their family and friends.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a disease. It is most commonly called alcohol use disorder (AUD) by health professionals to identify the fact that it is a health-related issue and not something that should be handled out of a proper treatment facility.
Part of the reason that alcoholism is difficult to deal with without proper medical treatment has to do with the fact that the person addicted becomes dependent on the substance in order to manage daily life activities. Even mild alcohol use can lead to addiction
Common Signs of Alcoholism
Understanding the signs of alcoholism can help you get the help you or a loved one needs to start recovering from alcoholism.
Psychologists and other experts agree that an alcoholic is someone who exhibits at least two of the following symptoms:
- Withdrawal after stopping heavy drinking
- Unsuccessful attempts to stop using alcohol
- Spending a lot of time obtaining drinks or recovering from their effects
- Interference with normal activities due to drinking habits like giving up social engagements
- Neglecting work responsibilities
- Participating in high-risk behaviors when under the influence
- Continued use despite physical problems caused by excessive consumption
Withdrawal is one of the most severe side effects of alcohol addiction. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and shaking. The key difference between withdrawal (which typically occurs outside of formal treatment settings) and going to an alcohol rehabilitation center is that one provides medical supervision while the other does not. Detoxing also helps with cravings during inpatient drug rehab.
It’s natural to be concerned when someone you know has a drinking problem or is addicted to alcohol. They may have changed their appearance by not showering, forgetting appointments, neglecting responsibilities at work or school.
When a person with alcoholism slips from sobriety back into addiction even for one day the probability of relapse increases dramatically because it becomes easier for them to justify continuing their unhealthy behavior in the future. They may justify drinking as a means to cope with daily life or due to other outside forces.
The most difficult part about being addicted to alcohol is that there are no quick fixes. Alcoholism is a chronic condition that needs to be treated as such and it cannot be dealt with alone without professional help or at least the support of others who have been through it themselves.
There are many resources available for those suffering from alcoholism, including an alcohol rehab in Orange County where people can go to get sober and start living life again on their own terms instead of letting addiction dictate how they live day-to-day.
What Happens When You Go to an Alcohol Rehab in Orange County?
An alcohol rehab in Orange County like ours here at Hillside Mission Recovery is a place where people can go to get sober. We offer many different services, including treatment for other mental health issues like anxiety and depression that often coincide with alcoholism. The first step toward recovery starts when you walk through the door of our rehab center. You will be given an evaluation to determine your specific needs for your individual case. No two alcoholism diagnoses are the same.
Treatment at our facility typically begins with detoxification in a safe medically supervised environment. Here we can manage the symptoms of withdrawal and ensure that our clients are well looked after throughout the process.
The next step is to move on to inpatient treatment, where clients will begin a treatment plan that is tailored to their unique case.
Once treatment ends we will help set up aftercare options such as peer support groups, 12 step programs, and other community services.
Hillside Mission Recovery is dedicated to getting our clients on the path to sobriety and helping them stay there with high-quality treatment options and care and compassion. If you or someone you know is suffering from alcoholism, contact us today!
