Alcohol Rehab in North Texas

Seeking treatment at an alcohol rehab in North Texas is the first step to regaining control over an alcohol abuse problem. Alcohol and drug rehab centers provide structures treatments that improve the likelihood of remaining sober over the long term.

Alcohol addiction recovery begins with the detox process, which removes the effects of the substance from the body. If a person seeks professional treatment to help with the alcohol addiction recovery in a drug rehab, medical staff can administer prescription medications to help ease the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

However, detox on its own does nothing to address the underlying psychological triggers behind self-destructive drinking patterns. Alcohol rehab in North Texas works to identify each recovering person's unique triggers and develop new coping skills and mechanisms for living life without the need for alcohol.

What is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol is a depressant that acts directly on the central nervous system. When a person drinks alcohol, the brain receives an artificial trigger to release a surge of hormones and neurotransmitters in an effort to counteract the effects.

When a person continues to abuse alcohol over a period of time, the brain adapts to the presence of the substance in the system. On the outside, it can appear as though the person is able to consume large volumes of alcohol without getting drunk.

However, on the inside the person is developing tolerance to alcohol and requires larger volumes to achieve the same effects.

Eventually, the brain adapts to the consistent presence of alcohol in the system. It becomes unable to continue producing certain hormones and neurotransmitters in response to natural stimulus unless the person keeps drinking more alcohol.

If the person tries to cut down or stop drinking suddenly, the brain can't adapt quickly to the absence of the substance, causing it to enter into a hyper-excitable state. The person may experience a range of withdrawal symptoms that can range from moderate and unpleasant to dangerous and potentially life-threatening.

It's common for many people sinking into the grip of alcohol addiction to continue drinking in an effort to avoid the onset of withdrawal symptoms. At this point, the person is considered physically dependent, or addicted.

Dangers of Alcohol

There's nothing wrong with enjoying a drink or two with friends or for a social occasion. However, alcohol can cause changes within the brain's chemistry, even after just one night of binge drinking.

Drinking alcohol can cause a range of serious health problems. Some of the major health conditions associated with chronic heavy drinking include:

Cancer: Prolonged alcohol abuse increases the risk of developing a range of different cancers, including cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, breast, and colon. The risk is even higher in drinkers who also smoke tobacco.

Heart damage: Drinking alcohol can stretch the heart muscle and cause it to droop, a condition known as cardiomyopathy. As the heart muscle weakens, the person may develop an irregular heartbeat Heavy drinking, especially binge drinking, can also cause platelets in the blood to clump together into blood clots, which can cause heart attack or stroke.

Liver damage: Most people are aware that excessive drinking can cause liver damage, but it also increases the risk of fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

Brain damage: People who drink heavily may experience shrinkage in certain areas within the brain, which can cause memory loss, cognitive decline, confusion and dementia.

High blood pressure: Heavy drinkers are more likely to develop high blood pressure, which dramatically increases the risk of developing other health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.

Pancreas: Heavy drinking increases the risk of developing chronic pancreatitis, which can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, stomach irritation, and inflammation in the pancreas that interferes with the body's normal digestive process.

Diabetes: Prolonged alcohol abuse increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as alcohol affects the pancreas's ability to produce insulin properly.

Mental health problems: Alcohol is a depressant that is commonly linked with depression. Studies show that heavy drinking can trigger symptoms of depression. Dual diagnosis in North Texas can help deal with a mental illness that interacts with an addiction.

Seizures: Excessive alcohol consumption can trigger epilepsy and cause seizures.

Suppressed immune system: Alcohol suppress the immune system, leaving a heavy drinker prone to infections and diseases.

Treatment for Alcohol Abuse and Addiction

Regaining control over a drinking problem that has spiraled into addiction requires professional alcohol rehab in North Texas. Our drug rehab center can provide alcohol and drug withdrawal in North Texas to help the recovering person get through the detox process safely. Entering into an alcohol rehab in North Texas also provides a safe alcohol-free environment in which the person can focus fully on the recovery process.

Detox is only the first stage in a comprehensive treatment program. In order to break free from the grip of addiction, drug rehab centers integrate a combination of treatments and therapies designed to teach the recovering person strong relapse prevention strategies to help them reduce the risk of returning to self-destructive drinking behaviors.

Recovering people are also taught new coping skills for living a healthy, productive lifestyle without the need for alcohol. Call us now for help (877) 804-1531.