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Alcohol Abuse

Some drugs are extremely difficult to use responsibly

To use heroin and meth without becoming addicted is so rare that it should be considered miraculous when it happens. Even something like nicotine, which doesn’t take over a person’s life like a mood-altering drug does, is incredibly addictive. Alcohol, however, is responsibly used by millions of Americans. There are countless people who can enjoy a drink or two on occasion and never have a problem with alcohol. So what makes someone different when they abuse alcohol?

Severe alcoholism requires a detoxification process, and one that all but requires being managed by physicians.

Severe alcoholism requires a detoxification process, and one that all but requires being managed by physicians. Alcohol’s withdrawal symptoms are among the most significant of any drug. Even heroin’s withdrawal process seems tame in comparison. The worst symptom is delirium tremens, a state of hallucinations, fever, and involuntary convulsions that frequently proves fatal if it’s allowed to run its course without treatment. The Ridge can oversee detox, or refer patients to a hospital if we determine that the withdrawal will be too severe for our facilities. When alcohol withdrawal is managed by physicians, the risk of death drops precipitously. By giving the withdrawing alcoholic benzodiazepine tranquilizers, we reduce the severity of delirium tremens, making the process much safer.

Using alcohol as a stress reliever is often a dangerous path to tread

Someone who needs a drink after every day of work could be putting themselves in danger. While a drink a day might not an extremely large risk for addiction, they may begin to start using alcohol to relieve other stressors, eventually building an extensive, dangerous habit of drinking that could lead to addiction.

Once alcoholism develops, it’s difficult to stop

Addiction changes the brain so that only by taking drugs (alcohol, in this case) can it feel pleasure. Also, alcohol’s withdrawal symptoms are some of the worst of any drug, so alcoholics are incentivized to drink at all times to make sure they don’t suffer withdrawal.

Treatment is the best way to beat alcoholism and learn to live sober again. The Ridge offers a residential treatment program that combines community support groups, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other treatment methods. Our recovery rate is unmatched, and our consistently excellent care has earned us official accreditation from the Joint Commission, placing The Ridge residential program among the top alcohol addiction treatment centers in the nation.