Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder, includes both abuse and dependence problems. Alcoholism treatment is often required to break the bonds of the substances in the body, with detox applied to enable discontinuation and rehab applied to treat the underlying causes of the problem. Alcoholism treatment includes a range of medical and psychotherapeutic programs, with different regimens implemented at different stages of recovery.
If you or anyone you know is living with an abuse or addiction problem, it’s important to contact an alcoholism treatment center as soon as possible. For more information on alcoholism treatment options, contact Drug Treatment Centers Belleville today at (973) 547-8142.
Known medically as a use disorder or a dependence syndrome, alcoholism is a broad term used to describe a wide range of problematic behaviors. The previous psychiatric conditions of abuse and dependence combined in 2013 to become alcohol use disorder, a condition that exists when two or more of the following symptoms manifest: tolerance, withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of use, drinking large amounts and for long time periods, cravings, facing difficulties cutting down, spending a lot of time involved with the substance, not fulfilling responsibilities, social problems due to use, health problems due to use, and use in risky situations.
You may have a problem if you experience any of the following symptoms: feeling ashamed about your drinking, lying about your drinking to others, depending on it to relax and unwind, having friends or family members concerned about you, forgetting what you did while drinking, and regularly drinking more than you intended to. Drinking is a big part of life in many countries around the world, with people often drinking excessively without realizing the extent of their problem. Generally speaking, if you have problems in your life that result from your drinking, you have a problem.
If you are worried about the drinking habits of a friend, family member or co-worker, there are some common signs to look out for. People may have a problem if they continue to consume despite negative consequences, with dependence noted by tolerance and the existence of a withdrawal syndrome upon discontinuation.
Typical withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, jumpiness, sweating, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, depression, headaches, loss of appetite, irritability and fatigue. While these symptoms are experienced in unique ways by different people, professional alcoholism treatment is recommended for anyone going through a withdrawal syndrome.
Medical detoxification is often used to enable the cessation of use, with drugs prescribed to alleviate symptoms and medical staff on hand at all times to observe and evaluate patients. There are currently four approved medications for treatment in the United States: disulfiram, two forms of naltrexone, and acamprosate.
Disulfiram, also known by its trade name Antabuse, acts as a preventative medication and causes severe discomfort when alcohol is ingested. Naltrexone is a competitive antagonist for opioid receptors, with this drug causing the body to release endorphins and therefore reducing the pleasurable effects of consumption.
Acamprosate, also known by its trade name Campral, helps to stabilize brain chemistry and prevent withdrawal related neurotoxicity. Benzodiazepines are also used regularly to help manage withdrawal symptoms, with this class of drugs commonly prescribed to treat insomnia and anxiety management.
While a medical detox period is an essential part of alcoholism treatment, detox does not treat the precedents of dependence. Ongoing psychotherapy and relapse prevention programs are required for a comprehensive regimen, both during residential treatment and on an aftercare basis.
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