Alcohol is an addictive substance that can damage the lives of those who are addicted and anyone who crosses their path.
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What Causes Alcoholism?
While there is no direct cause for alcoholism, alcohol use disorders can be attributed to individuals who misuse alcohol, drink alcohol in an unsafe manner, and those who have a predisposition to addiction.
Individuals who misuse alcohol do not follow the recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption. This can include persons who drink underage, who drink while taking other substances, and who drink illegally made or sold alcohol. Those individuals who misuse alcohol have a greater likelihood of developing an addiction to alcohol based on their unsafe treatment of the drink.
Another way that alcoholism can be developed is if an individual consumes alcohol in an unsafe manner. This is most common with individuals who binge drink. Regular binge drinking can lead to addiction because of the increased amount of alcohol introduced to the system in a short amount of time. This can have especially devastating effects on individuals who are underage or experience other mental health concerns that the depressant could impact.
Finally, individuals who have a predisposition to addiction are more likely to develop it. While this is not always the case, studies have shown that individuals who have parents that are addicts or who are exposed to addiction at a young age are more likely to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol than other individuals. As they transition to adulthood, this unhealthy relationship with drugs and alcohol is mirrored in their lives. Not only does it increase access to alcohol, but it demonstrates what that relationship with a legal drug can look like.
Knowing these causes can help you identify the signs of alcohol addiction.
What are the Signs of an Addiction to Alcohol?
The signs of alcohol addiction can vary from person to person, but there are some typical symptoms that you should look out for. These signs impact the physical, mental, and emotional state of an individual who is addicted to alcohol.
An individual who is addicted to alcohol might display physical signs of this by stealing or lying to obtain alcohol, drinking in unsafe ways, and drinking more to achieve the same high. In this sense, individuals are more focused on drinking than what or how they are doing it.
A person might also demonstrate mental symptoms of addiction. A person who is addicted might have mood swings, dramatic changes in behavior, and increased participation in unusual activities for the person. These mental symptoms can also mimic other mental health disorders and increase the likelihood of their development as well.
The last category of symptoms you should look out for are emotional changes. This might be changes in relationships, friend groups, emotional stability, or even their own personality. These aggressive changes can signify that an individual’s addiction is pervasive and impacting an increased number of areas of their lives.
How Can I Get Help With Alcohol Addiction
If a person or their loved one feels like they need help with their alcohol addiction, there are several ways to get help. Detoxification, treatment, and supportive care are the three steps of managing addiction early on.
The first step starts with detoxification. Detoxification, especially for individuals addicted to alcohol, should always be completed under the care of a medical professional. Through this process, they can be monitored, and their safety can be assured. Detoxification and withdrawal from alcohol can have a range of symptoms starting with mild flu-like symptoms or extreme symptoms like seizures and hallucinations.
The second step of getting help with alcohol addiction is treatment. Treatment can be done in an inpatient center, an outpatient center, or through telehealth, whichever way best meets the client’s needs. Through this process, an individual can access supportive therapeutic care to help manage and reduce addiction symptoms and side effects. Clients can work on their physical, mental, and emotional health and how it is all directly impacted by addiction.
Finally, the last step of addiction treatment is continued supportive care. This can vary from individual to individual, but individuals should participate in continued care following initial treatment. This can be through an alumni program, other treatment programs, or by attending a 12-step program in the community. This process continues the healing, learning, and support that was initiated with detoxification and treatment.
Finding Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles, CA
Finding alcohol addiction treatment in Los Angeles, CA, isn’t hard with California Centers for Recovery. Our comprehensive programs support clients through every step of the addiction treatment and rehabilitation process. Within our treatment center, you get more than just a recovery program, you get an experience.
