Alcohol Dependence

What are the symptoms of alcohol dependence?

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol dependency, there are several signs and changes you might notice. These include:

• Short-term memory loss
• Inability to limit alcohol consumption
• Unsuccessful attempts to reduce drinking
• Ignoring responsibilities to drink
• Drinking while driving
• Developing a tolerance to alcohol
• Extreme mood swings

Anyone can develop alcoholism or alcohol dependency. There are a number of factors that can impact the development of alcoholism, including:

• Stressful events
• Low self-esteem
• Drinking at a young age
• Family history
• History of trauma
• Depression and other mental illnesses

Alcohol affects the central nervous system. Long-term overconsumption can result in changes to areas of the brain associated with pleasure, judgment, and self-control. Excessive drinking changes your behavior and decision-making, increasing your risk of accidental injuries, legal troubles, and other consequences of high-risk behaviors. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol dependency, First Step Recovery Center provides comprehensive treatment, combining several different therapies to help achieve long-term recovery. 

What is alcohol withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal occurs after excessive, prolonged use of alcohol. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety 
• Seizures
• Rapid heartbeat
• Tremors
• Insomnia

Alcohol withdrawal can occur anywhere from a few hours to a few days after your last drink. Many patients also experience delirium tremens or “the shakes,” which mainly affects long-term drinkers who suddenly stop drinking after 10 or more years. The shakes can occur up to 10 days after your last drink and can last for as long as five days.

At First Step Recovery Center, the team provides both medical and psychological support during alcohol detox to ensure your health and safety.  

How is alcohol dependence treated?

At First Step Recovery Center, treatment for alcohol dependency begins with a thorough health evaluation. The health evaluation allows the team to determine the status of your health and develop a treatment and monitoring plan to support you through your recovery. The exam includes:

• Blood test
• Psychological assessment
• Stabilization evaluation

The first step in addressing your condition is detoxification. The center offers a variety of medications, including acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram, to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. 

The alcohol dependency program at First Step Recovery Center combines several treatments to help you address the full spectrum of your addiction. The team works with you to develop an individualized treatment plan specific to your needs. Available treatments include:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
• Adventure therapy
• Nutrition counseling
• Fitness therapy

First Step Recovery Center provides medically supervised treatment to give you the best chances of long-term recovery. To learn more about treatment for alcohol dependency, call the office or request an appointment online today.