Alcoholism Q & A

When it comes to alcoholism and addiction, a number of questions, concerns and myths must be dispelled in order to gain a healthy understanding of the condition at hand. In this entry, we will work through some of the more common questions in an effort to inform and enlighten those afflicted.

Q: What is alcoholism?

A: Alcoholism is a disease. Those struggling with the disease have lost the ability manage their alcohol intake and are thus unable to gain control without exterior help. Alcoholics will often lose control over their actions when drinking to excess.

Q: What causes alcoholism?

A: Experts still remain uncertain as to why some individuals become alcoholics. Many people begin drinking only a little bit only to get hooked down the road. People might use alcohol to calm their nerves or forget their troubles, but end up needing it to achieve some sense of normalcy.

Q: Can you define an “average” alcoholic?

 A: The short answer is no. Alcoholics are found within every social class, race, religion, and age-range.

Q: Is there a cure?

A: The only sure-fire cure for alcoholism is complete abstinence. Those in recovery from alcoholism are referred to as “recovering alcoholics”. These individuals have the potential to lead happy, healthy and productive lives following treatment.

Q: Can you force an alcoholic to stop drinking?

A: Unfortunately, no. Though an alcoholic will often require help to curb their addiction, there is no way to force them to accept treatment. Friends and family members of alcoholics must understand that they are unable to provide assistance on their own. Alcoholics must obtain the help of trained professionals in order to properly address the condition. 

Am I An Alcoholic?

Human beings are not designed to go through life alone.
No one has to bear the burden of tough times all by themselves

Alcohol addiction is a devastating disease. Though not everyone who drinks should be classified an alcoholic, those posing the question above may find the clarification they seek in the entry below. If you suspect yourself or someone you know of an alcohol addiction, the following entry may serve in alleviating your suspicions.

1 – One of the main symptoms associated with alcoholism is when an individual continues drinking even after their intake has resulted in negative and reoccurring issues in the person’s life. Missed work, neglected responsibilities, legal issues, or relationship problems garnered as a direct result of drinking may indicate dependency.

2 – Because alcoholism is progressive, the effects of excessive drinking will ultimately result in the continued deterioration of the drinkers emotional, social, and physical life. If you continue to drink in spite of issues cause by your drinking, you may very well be an alcoholic.

3 – If you are wondering whether you have an alcohol problem, them you probably do. If family members, friends, and co-workers have mentioned something about your alcohol intake, your drinking habits likely require further inspection.

4 – If you recognize that alcohol is causing issues in your life, make commitments to quit drinking, but continue drinking anyway; you probably have an alcohol problem. Drinkers who choose to change the type of alcohol they drink to something “a little lighter”, or who designate specific times where by they will allow themselves to drink are likely dealing with some form of alcohol addiction.

Need Help?

If you or someone you know are struggling with an alcohol addiction, our Above It All alcohol drug detox facility is the place to call. With a team of seasoned drug and alcohol addiction specialists available to address your individual needs, you can count on Above it All to have you in and on the road to recovery in no time. Call today!

Reversing The Effects Of Alcohol

Long term heavy drinking can cause severe damage to the brain and liver while creating additional health risks. The amount of damage inflicted on the body is typically in direct proportion to the number of years the individual drinks alongside the amount they’ve consumed. Fortunately for drinkers under 40, some  of these negative effects can be reversed. In this entry, we will outline some tips and tricks to help get your body back on track.

1 – Stop drinking! This is step #1. According to recent studies, alcoholics who give up drinking completely were able to regain their mental abilities and cognitive skills. The initial results were detected following 13 months of complete sobriety and escalated over time. Alcohol abstinence will also encourage proper liver function.

2 – Start eating right. Make a point to include plenty of veggies and fruits into your diet. Swap your red meat for white and sub out your flour carbohydrates for their whole grain brethren.

3 – Consider taking stem enhancers. These remedies serve to encourage new cell growth in areas of excessive alcohol damage. Some people can rebuild as much as 25% of their liver cells by using these enhancers. Though, as with any vitamin, supplement, or medication, it’s important to consult your physician prior to beginning a stem enhancer regimen.

4 – Get to the gym! Commit yourself to daily exercise as part of your new, happy, healthy lifestyle transition. Not only will exercise help remove built up toxins; it will add to your self-esteem, confidence, and just maybe your physique. 

Alcohol Abuse and Rehab

How do you know if you need help with an alcohol problem?  How do you even know if you have an alcohol problem?  Most people are not aware that they even have an alcohol problem until it is too late.  They are arrested for driving under the influence or some other alcohol related charge.  So what are the early warning signs that you may need to seek out some additional help?

If you have developed a tolerance to alcohol and it takes more and more to get you buzzed, you need help. If drinking is affecting your performance at work or school, you should probably look for some help. If drinking has cost you a relationship, you should probably start looking for a rehab center.  If you have had a brush with the law related to drinking, you should be entering an alcohol rehab center.  If you drink throughout the course of the day under the “its 5:00 somewhere guise” you should be seeking help. If you drink to avoid unhappy situations, can’t stop drinking even though you know it is affecting your health or your family and friends are telling you that you have a drinking problem that is certainly a sign that you should be entering an alcohol rehab program.

Alcohol is so socially acceptable that it is sometimes difficult to know when you need help or have acquired a drinking problem.  Some people become binge drinkers and those are the easy ones to diagnose.  Others, however, use drinking as a crutch and will have a more difficult time realizing that they are in need of treatment for a disease that they cannot conquer by themselves.

Don't hesitate to call for alcohol addiction help 888.822.7633

Fighting the Addiction of Alcohol

Steve explains how alcohol addiction consumed his mind. 

via Above It All Treatment

Alcohol Addiction Help – Benefits Of A Sober Living Community

In order to get the most out of sober living, Los Angeles patients must commit themselves completely to the recovery process. In addition to 12 step recovery programs, counseling, and structure, the benefits of associated with sober homes include a dedicated and supportive sober atmosphere, positive community living, and the guidance patients need to integrate themselves back into regular society.

Many patients who have completed an inpatients rehabilitation program have not taken the proper time to consider the possibility of sober living arrangements. In this entry, we will offer up a few of the many benefits associated with these facilities to provide you with a better outlook in regard to what a patient should expect to gain from the process.

-       Sobriety Focus

-       Sober living facilities provide residents with the ability to focus on their recovery in a positive and dedicated atmosphere.

-       Transitional Living

-       Facilities offer patients a middle point between the sheltered inpatient rehab facility experience and “real” life. Residents are afforded the ability the regain their independence and sense of self while residing in an alcohol and drug-free environment.

-       Life Skills Development

-       Due to the fact that addiction is centered on the need to obtain and abuse alcohol or drugs, many addicts find themselves neglecting other aspects of their lives to facilitate their use habits. A sober living home provides residents the ability to grow – or regrow – day-to-day skills, including work duties, education, housework, fitness and social encounters.

-       Routine Schedules

-       Prior to receiving alcohol addiction help, it’s not uncommon for patient’s waking and sleep schedules to become somewhat erratic. A sober living community works to encourage regular schedules; in turn creating positive time management habits once “normal life” is resumed.

-       Sober Network Expansion

-       In many instances, friendships must be reevaluated upon completion of a rehabilitation program. Sober living provides residents with a community of people dedicated to a sober, positive and healthy lifestyle.