Millions of Americans struggle with alcoholism, but just a fraction seek treatment. Liberty Bay Recovery is a Portland, Maine drug and alcohol addiction treatment center. We provide treatments that can help individuals transition into a sober and more fulfilling life.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcohol addiction is an individual’s uncontrollable craving to become intoxicated by consuming liquids crafted from fermented grain and fruit such as wine, beer, or hard liquors.
When someone is unable to limit their alcohol consumption or control their urge to drink, they are exhibiting the signs of alcoholism. This type of addiction can cause an individual to go through bouts of binge drinking. If a person is experiencing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, they may consume more alcohol to reach the same level of intoxication that they achieved after their last drink. Withdrawal symptoms can include nausea, shaking, excessive sweating and feelings of anxiety that stem from the individual’s attempt to stave off the cravings. Of course, for many people, resisting the urge to drink is not possible. In those cases, the individual must seek treatment as soon as possible.
Many believe ridding themselves of their need for alcohol is as easy as counting to 10. However, the road to recovery is much more complicated. Alcoholics experience intense urges to drink, which reduces their ability to stop.
Most alcoholics require help to cease such an unhealthy and potentially life-threatening habit. Most alcoholics are able to achieve sobriety through a combination of the right treatment plan and support from loved ones.
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What Are the Causes and Effects of Alcoholism?
According to scientists, people with a history of alcoholism in their families are at an increased risk to develop an alcohol problem. The drinking can either begin or become more severe depending on the individual’s environment or whether they suffered a traumatic event. Contributing factors may include lifestyle values, culture, family, friends, and pressure from peers.
Alcoholism is not only unhealthy, it is destructive to a person’s physical and mental state. It can also lead to legal problems. Approximately half of all crimes are alcohol-related, with the more serious incidents involving unintentional deaths, homicides, and suicides. Alcoholism has been linked to cases of brain damage, liver diseases, cancer, and heart disease. The life expectancy of an alcoholic can be decreased by as much as 15 years if they don’t seek help.
Other impacts of alcohol abuse can include:
- Excessive alcohol consumption eradicates brain cells, potentially causing brain damage
- Alcohol can have a devastating impact on the function of the central nervous system. It can reduce one’s ability to retrieve, combine, or sort out information
- Moderate drinking can impact cognitive faculties while larger amounts can impede the flow of oxygen to the brain. This can cause a blackout during severe intoxication
- Alcohol addiction can cause inflammation in the stomach, esophagus, and mouth, increasing the risk of developing cancer in these areas. The risk is greater for those who smoke
- Irregular heartbeats may present in people who engage in splurge drinking, while abusers are at a higher risk for high blood pressure, heart damage and heart attacks
- Alcohol use may damage vision, diminish sexual function, reduce circulation, and lead to water retention and malnutrition
- Other alcohol-related problems include skin and pancreatic disorders, weakened muscles and bones, and decreased immunity
A Note on Liver Damage
When someone drinks alcohol, much of it is processed in the liver. The liver has a limited capacity for breaking down alcohol, and it can become overtaxed. This situation may lead to liver disorders, and eventually, the organ may not function properly.
Liver damage presents in three stages. During the first stage, the liver becomes enlarged as a result of abdominal fatty tissues penetrating the cells within the organ. The second stage comes in the form of hepatitis in the liver, which causes inflammation, swelling, and the eventual death of cells. The last stage is cirrhosis of the liver, a condition in which scar tissues develop and interfere with blood circulation within the liver.
What Is Alcohol Rehab?
Our alcohol rehab center in Portland is a powerful and evidence-proven method of breaking the chains of alcohol dependence and beginning a healthier and happier life. When in rehab, the underlying issues that cause alcohol addiction are uncovered. Those issues are addressed directly through treatment. Alcohol addiction issues can be both psychological and physical. Our alcohol recovery program focuses on overcoming those issues through alcohol detoxification, an individual therapy program, group therapy, outpatient care, and aftercare to assist in maintaining social perspective and sobriety. We design each treatment phase to confront the physical, psychological, and social components of alcohol addiction.
Alcohol Rehabilitation
Alcoholism has been treated as a chronic and often progressive disease since the American Medical Association first classified it as such in the 1960s. When ignored and left untreated, alcoholism can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and insufficient blood cell production. Alcoholism and its associated problems won’t just go away. Rehabilitative treatment is necessary.
Liberty Bay Recovery assists people struggling with the disease of alcoholism. Detox, rehab, and aftercare proceed in a professional, caring, and non-judgmental manner. We guide people through alcohol withdrawal and into sobriety. Liberty Bay is an alcohol recovery program that Portland, ME, has come to rely on. It is a place to heal, recover, reestablish oneself, and defeat the disease once and for all.
We accept a wide range of insurance plans including Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Providence Health Plans, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, United Health Care, ValueOptions, Government Employee Health Association (GEHA), and United Medical Resources (UMR). We accept state insurance plans, and we offer convenient self-pay options. Liberty Bay also makes verifying your insurance plan easy.
Those who do not seek treatment for their alcoholism risk losing everything. Anyone in need of alcohol rehab should call Liberty Bay Recovery today at 855-607-8758 to find out more about how we can help. Liberty Bay Recovery is a premier alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility for those grappling with alcoholism. Contact us today and start your transition to a life of sobriety.
