Alcohol is the most widely-distributed, legal drug available. It is so common in our culture that many and most of us would never consider it a drug. Yet we all know alcohol abuse is a constant issue. Excessive alcohol consumption has led to nearly 90,000 deaths annually. Alcohol abuse and addiction is a disease. As an illness, it affects people from all walks of life. Thus, it’s vital to be able to identify the signs of alcohol abuse. Once you can, you’re in a better position to help yourself or a loved one get treatment. Crestview Recovery’s alcohol rehab center near Tigard has the programs and treatments necessary to get an individual healthy again.
The Signs of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
Alcohol use disorder is now the preferred terminology for alcohol abuse and alcoholism. However, most use the terms interchangeably. Alcohol use disorder occurs when an individual drinks so much or so frequently, their brain becomes accustomed to the effects of alcohol. When this happens, individuals are unable to control their cravings for alcohol.
As with any disease or illness, it can range from mild to severe. Several factors determine this, such as the amount and frequency of drinking or if the individual seeks help. Being able to recognize the signs of alcohol use disorder is the first step in identifying a problem. These signs include:
- Inability to limit how much you drink
- When you spend much of your time getting, drinking, or recovering from alcohol
- Alcohol affects your performance at work, school, or in the home
- Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it’s causing physical, social or interpersonal problems
- Avoiding activities or hobbies that don’t involve drinking or allow you to drink
- Drinking alcohol in inappropriate or unsafe situations
- Needing more or stronger alcohol to feel the effect you desire (developing a tolerance)
- Wanting to stop but being unable to do so
Also, if you find yourself sweating or your hands shaking from going several hours without drinking, you’re likely experiencing withdrawal symptoms. When this happens, you need to seek professional help.
The Process at Our Alcohol Rehab Center Near Tigard
Alcohol addiction is a chronic disease. In order to help an individual suffering from alcohol use disorder get healthy again, there are stages. The first stage for many people is medically supervised detox. Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can be intense including:
- Anxiety and tremors
- Sweating and nausea
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Fever
- Hallucinations
It can take up to a week for an individual to completely detoxify. During that time, a person’s body can experience extremes not just physically but emotionally. Thus, detoxing in a controlled, safe environment like an alcohol rehab center is the best option.
After detox, individuals will meet with counselors and therapists to determine their mental health needs. Many people suffering from alcohol use disorder also suffer from a mental health disorder like depression, anxiety, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). When this is the case, dual diagnosis treatment is necessary.
Also called a co-occurring disorder, dual diagnosis looks to identify the underlying cause of an individual’s alcohol abuse. People experiencing emotional or physical pain will develop coping mechanisms rather than seek professional help. Alcohol can numb an individual’s pain or, at least, mask the issue. Unfortunately, this then worsens the mental illness because it both goes untreated and intensifies. The cycle continues as the individual then drinks more to push the mental disorder away. Treating the whole individual, body, and mind, is a priority at Crestview Recovery. Doing so ensures patients are poised to achieve lasting recovery.
Crestview Recovery Recovery Helps Tigard, Oregon Residents Find Addiction Treatment Programs. Call 866.262.0531
Crestview Recovery
Alcohol use disorder can damage every area of your life. It affects not just the individual but their family and friends. Many believe they have to face their alcohol use disorder alone. But that’s not the case, Crestview Recovery wants to give you the support you need.
If you live near Tigard Oregon, Crestview Recovery’s alcohol rehab center can provide services, such as:
You can start to beat alcohol abuse and addiction today. Let our alcohol rehab center experts and staff help you or your loved one win their fight. Call 866.262.0531 to learn more about the treatments and programs that are right for you.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.