Alcohol Has Lasting Effects On The Brain

It has always been noted that the drinking age is set at 21 due to the completion of brain development, but studies have shown that the brain actually finishes developing around the age of 25. Recent evidence suggests that excessive alcohol use has a negative and lasting effect on the brain. Disorders that are commonly linked to alcohol related brain damage are a result of continual alcohol abuse starting at a young age. The disabilities of memory and learning loss that can follow a lifetime of alcohol abuse may be physical and/or psychological, and there is no doubt that they will have a notable effect on the user and their community. Because it is hard to identify an alcohol addict before they are addicted, it is similarly difficult to get early treatment for the resulting brain disorders. 

The best way to avoid detrimental changes in brain function is to use alcohol only in moderation, or not at all. The age where the most change in general brain function occurs is in young adults under 25. Although the drinking age is 21 years old, the hippocampus and front structures of the brain are not fully developed until approximately age 25. These areas of the brain work with memory and learning capabilities. Through excessive alcohol abuse, young adults' brains are structurally changed by notably shrinking, and there are some significant changes to the white matter tracks.

Research shows that the age at which a person starts drinking regularly is a pivotal point in their future complications with alcoholism. However, research has also shown that the legal age for drinking does not affect this epidemic. This is because young adults will most often find ways to get alcohol regardless of what age they can legally buy it. In Australia for example, the legal drinking age is 18 years old, but health reports have shown very similar alcohol related brain damage to that of the United States.

The only way to treat this disease is to prevent the cause – alcohol abuse – completely. Researchers have emphasized early intervention at an early age being the key. In a person's young adult years, their brains are much more susceptible to change, development, and also damage. By recognizing and confronting the signs of risky drinking behavior in young adulthood, the specific brain damage caused from repetitive, excessive, and extended drinking can be prevented.  It is a tragedy that many young people suffer for their lack of education about what can happen in the future. Memory and learning ability loss caused by alcohol is preventable, and potentially reversible if  it is caught early on. If you or a loved one feel as though you may have developed or are in the process of developing an alcohol dependence, do not hesitate to get some sort of treatment. The worst thing you can do is live in ignorance and suffer the consequences later on. 

What Drives Alcohol Addiction?

There are many different factors that play a huge part in an alcohol addiction. Let's take the average American's lifestyle, for example. We'll name him John. John is born into a lower-middle class suburban household. His mom has various get-togethers with her friends, where the kids play while the adults have a few drinks and talk. His dad is a huge sports fan who goes out to the bars almost every night of the week to see or regale a “big game.” John goes to school with kids who have similar home lives. As he grows up, he sees alcohol in the grocery stores, in his home, in his friends' houses, on t.v., on billboards, in magazines. When John reaches high school, he joins his school's sports teams. Through these people and some of his other friends, John starts getting invited to parties. At those parties, everyone is drinking. He wants to fit in, so he grabs a red plastic cup and fills it at the keg. Before he knows it, he is out of control and loving it. John may or may not get into trouble with his parents or with the law. He will go to college and experience or of theses parties. He turns 21, and goes out for drinks with his already 21 year old friends, or his parents. After college, John might get married and become a big sports fan. Do you see where this is going? Alcohol is everywhere. It is something that is ingrained in our culture. But, if that is all it takes to become an alcoholic, why isn't everyone?

What really needs to be examined here is, what is alcohol dependence and what drives this addiction? When a person develops a destructive pattern of abusing alcohol, this is considered an alcohol dependence or addiction. This disease affects over 14 million people in the United States alone. Many people wonder if it is a hereditary disease, and how it is caused to begin with. There is no single origin of the dependence alcohol causes. It is viewed and treated as a mental disorder, being the result of a complex grouping of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors in a person's life. So, no, it is not always hereditary (although it can be), but a child with alcoholic parents or guardians is much more likely to become an alcohol addict simply because of the environment they grew up in.

If you think you have a problem with alcohol addiction or know someone who might, don't wait to contact an alcohol treatment center for help. There are so many great treatments out there to take advantage of. Many alcohol treatment programs focus on relapse prevention, short-term behavioral goals, and cognitive therapies. It is important to go to alcohol rehab and learn about ways to work through your alcohol dependence. Don't wait any longer to get the life you want back on track!

Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers in Florida

Alcohol addiction is a serious condition. Many people, and some alcohol addicts, do not realize just how serious it can be. Not only can it harm the internal body, but it can also lead to drunk driving, extreme depression, and sometimes suicide. Florida is a prevalent state for drug trafficking and abundant alcohol use. This is probably because of its accessible coast and proximity to Latin America. According to a national poll, 60% of teenagers have reported to have been drunk before turning 18, and 20% of suicides in the United States are alcohol related. Alcohol is the number 3 cause of death in the United States. Luckily, the alcohol rehab Florida offers is ample and widespread.

Being trapped in an alcoholic cycle can kill every ounce of motivation that an person has left. They may find themselves abusing (physically and/or verbally) their family members until the people they love the most don't even recognize them. They will take and take and take from their loved ones until they have nothing left to give. They will drink to forget themselves. They will drink to forgive themselves. And before they know it, they have fallen down the deep, dark tunnel of alcohol addiction.

But there is hope. No physical addiction is permanent. Of course, you will be drawn to that substance and must use your dedication and will power to realize that you are better than the temptation, but there will be a point in your rehabilitation program when you stop for a moment and realize, “I am not addicted any longer.” It will be one of the most liberating experiences of your life. Alcohol addiction is an ongoing process and residential treatment is the most effective way to start out. In a residential program, you will receive 24-hour care in order to fully meet your medical and emotional needs. To help create a relaxing care facility, rehab Florida provides amenities such as swimming pools, libraries or reading rooms, and gardens. These are meant to help relieve stress. Almost all alcohol rehab facilities will have family rooms, or places that encourage open sharing. In a rehab facility, you will meet people who are going through similar situations. It is important to connect and network with these people. Communication is a vital part of living a sober life. Often times, there will be workshops that will educate the alcohol addict with knowledge about his or her addiction. There will also be workshops focused on personal life goals and meditation.

At Ambrosia Treatment Centers, you are treated as an individual. Once admitted, you will receive 24-hour care, a dual diagnosis evaluation, important counseling sessions, 12-step program, relapse prevention track, health education and exercise, individualized treatment, family counseling, psychiatric and medical evaluations, pain management, holistic programs, and aftercare planning. Not only does Ambrosia offer treatment, it also offers a supportive community that is ready to help you with your addiction. You will be able to be heard and understood.

The rehab centers Florida offers will pull you out of the bottom of that tunnel and realign your life. You can change who you are. You can change for a loved one or your family, but most importantly, you can change for yourself.

Withdrawal Symptoms From Alcohol

Alcohol withdrawal is considered to be the worst form of withdrawal over any other substance, including heroin. At their most severe, withdrawal symptoms can include seizures, cardiac arrest and hallucinations. If proper treatment is not received when an individual is going through alcohol detox it can even be fatal. Alcohol addicts experience withdrawal when they reduce or cease drinking after extended periods of excessive alcohol consumption. Most people do not fully understand what alcohol detox is, and how serious and dangerous it can really be. With the proper alcoholism treatments withdrawal symptoms can be pacified with the necessary medications in a controlled environment.

If you are considering tapering off or stopping your alcohol abuse, it is important that you understand what detox is and what to expect when going through withdrawal. Typical symptoms that people suffering from alcohol addiction experience when going through detox and withdrawal include agitation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, irritability, anxiety, diarrhea, restlessness, weakness and insomnia. At a minimal level these symptoms, although undesirable and uncomfortable for the individual going through alcohol withdrawal, are tolerable. Detoxification from alcohol improves with time, and usually the first few days are the hardest. Once your body overcomes the shock that comes with the cessation of alcohol, you can begin to recover. With severe alcoholics however, medical treatment is sometimes necessary.

Alcohol addicts that routinely drink excessive amounts on a regular basis can experience very severe withdrawal symptoms if they decide to stop or reduce their drinking. At its worst, the detoxification process can include delirium tremens (DTs), the most severe stage of alcohol withdrawal. When someone with an alcohol addiction gets to the point of the DTs, they have hallucinations, extreme confusion, and their central nervous system goes into a state of hyperactivity. Since alcohol is a suppressant, it subdues the central nervous system. When alcohol consumption stops, an alcoholic's mind and body are not used to functioning without alcohol, and the central nervous system essentially goes into a state of shock. This is when seizures and cardiac arrest can occur.

At this stage of alcoholism, one should go to an alcohol rehab center for their detoxification process. At a treatment facility, their detox can be supervised by medical professionals, and they can be administered certain medications to curb the severe symptoms associated with their withdrawal. The most common meds used to treat severe alcohol withdrawal are benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Xanax. Going to an alcohol rehab facility or toughing out alcohol detox on your own can mean the difference between life and death. Most cases of alcohol withdrawal are treated as outpatients, but in the most extreme cases, alcoholics are taken in and treated as inpatients so they can be supervised.

Most people do not realize how dangerous alcohol detox can be. If you have been suffering from alcohol addiction from an extended period of time and you are thinking about getting sober, it is in your best interests to first consult the advice of a doctor. Depending upon the severity of your alcoholism, it may be recommended that you be admitted to an alcohol rehab treatment facility to undergo the detoxification process. 

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

This time of year brings about holiday cheer and the reunion of family and friends. It is a time of joy, fun and celebration. In lieu of the holiday season, December has become an important month for other reasons as well. It is also drunk and drugged driving prevention month. Around the holidays, bars and restaurants are busier, parties are attended, and drinking is encouraged. Because of this, December is the month chosen for awareness towards drunk and drugged driving prevention.

It is common knowledge that drunk driving is common around this time of year, but drugged driving is a new concept for some. Like drunk driving, drugged driving presents extreme and deadly risk for everyone on the road. In 2010, 1 in 3 drivers who were killed in a motor vehicle crash tested positive for illicit or prescription drugs. Everyone at Ambrosia Treatment Center joins the staff and administrator David Strickland of the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) in observing prevention this month and working to stop drunk and drugged driving all year.

Because December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, it is a time to bring awareness towards the consequences of drunk and/or drugged driving and preventative ways to avoid these consequences in the future. A few important tips geared toward preventing fatalities and accidents this December (and always) are 1) designate a sober and responsible driver before parties and celebrations begin 2) never serve anyone underage 3) plan parties that provide non-alcoholic beverages and refrain from serving alcohol for the last few hours of the party and 4) be prepared to help people get home if need be.

The idea behind making December the month of drunk and drugged driving awareness is meant to deter people from taking part in risky activities that would lead to drunk and drugged driving. December is the month with the highest amount of drunk and drugged driving incidents. To show your support, avoid both driving and letting friends and family drive under the influence. Also, displaying a red ribbon (the symbol of substance abuse prevention) on your vehicle will shown support for drug awareness. We ask you to turn your attention to preventing drunk and drugged driving accidents and plan ahead this December, and always.

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

Alcohol Relapse Prevention

Alcohol addiction is an addiction that is often overlooked but can, and often does, result in fatality. These fatalities have made alcohol one of the top three causes of preventable death in the United States. It is challenging, to say the least, to fight an addiction as habit-forming and socially acceptable as alcoholism. Fortunately, because it is so common, there are many alcohol treatment options available. However, about 90% of alcohol addicts will fall victim to an alcohol relapse after recovery.

There are many factors that play a part in an alcohol relapse. Individuals who suffer from severe alcohol addictions may find themselves having a harder time staying sober. Many people experience cravings to alcohol in different ways, and depending on how an addiction is handled, treated and  followed up on, a relapse may or may not occur. Often times, a person will underestimate the intensity of their addictionand ignore the warning signs. In their mind, the idea of drinking alcohol may be held in a euphoric sense – a constant but ignored temptation. It is unhealthy to deal with anything in that way, more so something as dangerous as an alcohol addiction.

The goals of relapse prevention are fairly straightforward: to identify the behavioral choices that steered the individual toward recovery in the first place, create an outline of options to help manage the difficulties you will encounter while staying sober, and lastly create a plan for maintaining a sober lifestyle. To create this plan, an alcohol addict must recognize all of the intricate details that point toward their possible alcohol relapse. These details are usually very personal and going to an Alcohol Anonymous group meeting can be very helpful to know that you are not alone in your fight against alcohol relapse. There are two main factors that will draw an addict back to their addiction: direct and remote. Direct factors consist of things such as people, places or events associated with drinking alcohol. Remote factors are linked to internal triggers such as dysfunctional thinking patterns, behaviors, or feelings.

Creating and participating in an alcohol relapse prevention program will hone in on these factors as they are individual to you and what you’re going through. Having this plan will help you identify these problems, but more importantly, how to deal with and recognize them when they are bearing down on you at the turning point of your recovery. If you feel that you are in need of a treatment program or are at risk of an alcohol relapse, create a relapse prevention plan with a sponsor, therapist, counselor, or someone who you trust and who knows you well. You will not regret staying sober, but you will regret falling off the wagon on your way to a productive and healthy life.

Alcohol Relapse Prevention

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Alcoholism is a serious disease that affects more than 15 million Americans on a daily basis. Just as withdrug addicts, there are many different types of alcoholics. Some may just have a few drinks every day, while others may drink from morning until night. Again, there are some alcohol addicts who may only drink on the weekends, but when they do, they consume beverages in mass quantities. Alcohol affects people differently. Some people develop a physical and mental dependence and need it to function normally.

Not only can it can be hard to define exactly what is an alcohol addict, it can also be hard to determine whether someone actually is an alcoholic or not. In many situations, people get up, work their daily jobs and do everything else that normal people do. However, they are either constantly under the influence of alcohol, or they immediately drink after dealing with all responsibilities and obligations. Either way, one thing is true of alcoholics. There is a constant preoccupation with drinking in their minds and in many cases they are physically dependent on alcohol. When not under the influence, they may experience irritability, anxiety and even shakiness. These are all symptoms of withdrawal and they can occur on a small scale every day until the person consumes alcohol.

Alcohol dependence occurs when a person is so use to being intoxicated on a regular basis that their body has physical cravings for alcohol and they experience consistent urges to drink. Alcohol dependence and alcoholism go hand in hand, and they are both past the point of alcohol abuse. While abuse may refer to occasionally drinking more than you should abuse and dependence refer to doing so on a frequent and/or regular basis. Once a person has reached this point, treatment is necessary. Although some people can stop drinking entirely or cut back on their drinking on their own. For some it is out of their control. Once an individual begins to suffer from health problems, or face negative consequences in their financial and social matters, it could be very well be because alcohol has taken control of their lives. In these cases, it is usually the best idea to seek professional help.

Alcohol addiction treatment can be very effective for many different people. Although alcoholism is a disease that is incurable, it can be treated with the proper daily management. One can keep themselves from going back to drinking. Alcohol treatment does more than just simply address the issue of drinking too much. The proper treatment will provide participants in the program with the necessary tools to deal with the problems that brought them to drink in the first place. These tools are implemented through a combination of group therapy sessions, counseling, and alcohol education classes. In many cases, a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous is also part of treatment, which can be very effective.

In the most severe cases, patients are admitted into alcohol detox to flush the alcohol from their system. Patients at this state drink in such large quantities that when they abruptly stop, their body goes into a state of shock. Withdrawal symptoms can be very dangerous and can include anxiety, nausea, depression, insomnia, sweating, shaking, delirium tremens, seizures, high blood pressure and even cardiac arrest. At its worst, severe alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. Drug treatment centers have teams of doctors, nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists that not only monitor patients’ physical wellbeing, but are also there to treat emotional and mental symptoms and ensure that patients are headed in the right direction in their recovery.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

What is Alcohol Abuse?

Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism but often leads to becoming addicted to alcohol. Alcohol addiction occurs when there is a physical dependency on alcohol, and a person needs to drink in order to get through the day and/or function normally. It is estimated that there are more than 12 million alcoholics in the United States. At least 6% of the American population are alcoholics.

There is no definite cause for alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, but there are many contributing factors that are taken into account when diagnosing someone as an alcohol addict. There are certain questions that drug and alcohol treatment professionals ask people when trying to find out if someone is an alcoholic or not, but the reasons for addiction are not always the same. It has been stated that a person’s family history is a strong indicator if someone is or is not an alcoholic, and if you have at least one parent that suffers from alcohol addiction, you are more likely to suffer from the same issues.

Alcohol abuse often starts at an early age and some reasons for its occurrence include peer pressure, low self-esteem, stress, and emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. In addition, if someone is exposed to alcohol frequently and has easy access to beverages such as wine, beer or liquor, they are also more likely to develop a drinking problem. Certain lifestyles are synonymous with drug and/or alcohol abuse, such as the professions of musicians, servers and bartenders. In part, this is due to the fact that these individuals are working in an environment that is surrounded by alcohol, and they can also be stressful situations. Those who have high-stress jobs, and people who make large incomes are also more apt to drink on a regular basis.

If you drink more than 15 drinks per week, or if you drink more than 5 drinks in one sitting, this has also been linked to defining alcohol abuse. Alcoholics drink despite the negative consequences of their drinking, including problems with relationships, finances, and work. There are numerous issues that have been related to alcoholism, but the fact of the matter is that alcoholics drink simply because they drink. It can be said that high stress, genetics, and other problems can be related to cause heavy drinking, but anyone can experience these issues, and not everyone abuses alcohol.

When a person becomes physically dependent on alcohol, their body becomes so used to being intoxicated that they feel the consistent urge to drink just to function. This is known as a functionalalcoholic, and these people often work regular jobs, have successful careers and well-developed relationships, but they still drink. There is no definite way to recognize an alcoholic, and they often hide the alcohol abuse so as not affect others.

Unfortunately, alcohol is so ubiquitous in the United States and other countries that it is hard to escape, and many succumb to the temptation of abusing alcohol on a regular basis. In addition, many alcoholics continue to drink, because if they suddenly stopped, they would be subject to the many different negative effects of alcohol withdrawal, such as anxiety, irritability, insomnia, nausea and even seizures that can lead to cardiac arrest or death. There are a variety of prescription drugs that are used to treat these symptoms, such as benzodiazepines and other medications that reduce the urge to drink. If you are worried that you may be an alcoholic or abuse alcohol on a regular basis, it’s important to realize that alcoholism is a disease, and it can be treated by medical professionals. Many people suffer from this disease, and you are not alone in your struggle. There is help out there for everyone.

What is Alcohol Abuse?