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Alcohol addiction
is another description of alcoholism and is
used because the term alcohol addiction sounds
similar to drug addiction. Alcohol addiction
is an accurate term because alcoholics are addicted
to alcohol in much the same way drug addicts
are addicted to drugs such as heroin or Valium.
Alcohol addiction was classified as a disease
by the American Medical Association back in
1957 and successful treatment of alcohol addiction
follows the disease model. That is to say that
treatment for alcohol addiction must address
the physical tolerance and dependence on alcohol
as well as the mental and emotional significance
alcohol has for the drinker. The good news is
that alcohol addiction is a treatable disease
and Spencer Recovery Centers has successfully
treated thousands of clients over the last dozen
years.
Successful alcohol intervention and treatment
of alcohol addiction must incorporate the elements
of the disease. Alcohol addiction is combated
on two fronts, the physical and the mental.
Spencer employs a staff physician who begins
treating the physical elements of alcohol addiction
immediately. The symptoms of physical alcohol
addiction are tolerance, dependence and withdrawal
indicators. Tolerance is the physical adaptation
of the body to the amount of alcohol taken in.
Many drinkers find that they must drink more
to get the same "high" or "buzz"
they used to get with fewer drinks. With the
chronic use of alcohol, the body chemistry changes
to accommodate and more alcohol must be taken
in to counteract the tolerance achieved. This
physical tolerance explains why those suffering
from alcohol addiction are often able to consume
very large amounts of alcohol that would wipe
out any normal drinker.
Tolerance leads
to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
As the body adapts and changes its chemistry
to accommodate the increased presence of alcohol,
its sudden removal, like an attempt to quit
drinking, will cause a reaction in the body
not unlike a severe flu. The withdrawal symptoms
nausea, sweating, tremors, convulsions, insomnia
and irritability mark the symptoms of physical
dependence. Successful detox centers for alcohol
addiction must resolve these uncomfortable symptoms
in a safe and easing manner in order to ensure
relapse prevention. Many drinkers continue to
drink to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms
in a painful cycle that causes them at the same
time to become more dependent.
The psychological
dependence created by alcohol addiction is no
less severe or traumatic. Drinkers often spend
much of their time and resources thinking about
and preparing for drinking. Isolation from friends
and family often occurs in order to escape scrutiny
and feelings of despair, loneliness and helplessness
follow.
Spencer Recovery
Centers offers a safe haven for treatment of
alcohol addiction and a successful California rehab program that
utilizes licensed professionals who will effectively
deal with the physical and mental aspects of
the disease.
To find out more
about our program please do not hesitate in
giving us a call.
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