People drink to socialize, celebrate, and relax. Alcohol often has a strong effect on people—and throughout history, people have struggled to understand and manage alcohol’s power. Why does alcohol cause people to act and feel differently? How much is too much? Why do some people become addicted while others do not? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is researching the answers to these and many other questions about alcohol. Here’s what is known:
Alcohol’s effects vary from person to person, depending on a variety of factors, including:
- How much you drink
- How often you drink
- Your age
- Your health status
- Your family history
While drinking alcohol is itself not necessarily a problem—drinking too much can cause a range of consequences, and increase your risk for a variety of problems. For more information on alcohol’s effects on the body, please see the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s related web page describing alcohol’s effects on the body.
Substance abuse impacts the lives of countless individuals throughout the world. Whether it be an addiction to alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription medications, or a combination of more than one substance, the devastation that can arise from the presence of an addiction can be far-reaching and long-lasting. An addiction will inevitably have a negative impact on not only the lives of the people using the substances, but also on the lives of those around them. Whenever someone begins to engage in the use of substances to such an extent that it elicits the onset of disturbances in their cognitive, behavioral, and or physiological functioning, he or she has likely developed a substance use disorder. And, sadly, once an addiction to any type of substance has developed, it can be monumentally difficult to overcome without professional help at an addiction treatment center.
At First Lane Rehab Center we recognize the immense battle that attempting to overcome an addiction to drugs or alcohol can pose for our clients. For this reason, we have devised specialized programming at our rehab and treatment center that is tailored to help individuals overcome their compulsions to abuse substances while learning the tools necessary for successfully managing future cravings and preventing relapse. At First Lane Rehab Center, a new beginning can be discovered.
Discovering that a family member or other loved one has developed an addiction to drugs or alcohol can be devastating. You have likely experienced a number of different emotions regarding your loved one’s behavior, ranging from anger and frustration to overwhelming fear and worry. While you may feel at a loss as to what you can do for your loved one, there are, in fact, some tangible ways that you can help him or her. When an addiction to drugs or alcohol is allowed to persist, the detriments that can arise in the users’ lives can be life-altering. The particular type of substance that an individual is abusing will determine the type and severity of the physical effects that can develop. However, any type of substance will inevitably elicit negative health consequences in some manner. Additionally, as individuals begin to make the use of substances their top priority, other areas of their lives will become negatively impacted. Academic and occupational performance can be hindered, social interactions can become tainted, and one’s ability to adhere to the tasks of daily living can decline. Family discord can become common, marital strife can become prominent, and isolation can reign when substance abuse dominates an individual’s life. Fortunately, however, by engaging in therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation at a reputable addiction treatment center, these detriments can be successfully overcome or avoided altogether.