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Alcohol

Trauma can have a significant impact on the brain. It takes a toll on our well-being and can result in a long-term increase in stress hormones, which is why many survivors often have heightened anxiety and depression. Trauma can also negatively alter dopamine production, changing the way we experience pleasure and happiness. It’s no surprise, then, that many people turn to alcohol to mask their pain and alleviate these unpleasant feelings.

Whether it’s unresolved trauma or deep emotional wounds, drinking provides a temporary escape from our inner turmoil and dulls the ache within, giving us a fleeting sense of relief. However, using alcohol to soothe and cope with difficult feelings can lead to bigger problems such as dependency and addiction, further exacerbating the underlying issues.

At The Guest House, we understand that alcohol holds a powerful allure for many people, especially those with past trauma. Learning how to stop relying on alcohol as a crutch starts with exploring the deep-seated emotions that cause us to drink and developing healthier coping mechanisms. Our goal is to help individuals heal from trauma and harmful alcohol use with the support and guidance of our experienced clinical team, empowering them to overcome self-defeating behaviors and build healthier habits that support long-term sobriety.

What is Alcohol Addiction?

According to groups including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol addiction is the top substance use disorder in both the United States and the world at large. Alcohol is widely available and often inexpensive, and in many circles, drinking — even to excess — is socially acceptable.

Despite the casual attitude toward drinking, alcohol is a mind-altering substance that can become incredibly dangerous to one’s mental, physical and emotional health. Heavy drinking and using alcohol to cope with difficult emotions has a high potential to lead to addiction, dependency and a host of other concerns associated with long-term alcohol use.

In modern healthcare, alcoholism is classified as a mental health condition called alcohol use disorder. Alcoholism is not simply someone’s lack of self-control; it goes much deeper, affecting the brain on a chemical level and resulting in a compulsive need to keep drinking.

Sometimes these compulsions are triggered by high-stress or emotional events; other times, prolonged use of alcohol causes withdrawal symptoms that make attempting to stop or cut back unbearably painful. What’s important to understand is that no one is at fault for the development of alcoholism — it emerges slowly as a response to a growing dependency on alcohol and eventually progresses beyond the control of the person affected.

Since alcohol use is ubiquitous in modern American culture, it can be difficult to identify someone who is addicted to alcohol — or, it can be easy for someone who is addicted to pass their alcohol use off as normal behavior. At The Guest House Ocala, we offer some insight into signs that might indicate alcohol addiction versus normal drinking habits, including:

  • Drinking every day, possibly for many years
  • Drinking interferes with responsibilities like school, work or family
  • An increase over time in the amount of alcohol it takes for an individual to become intoxicated
  • Continued alcohol use, even if it causes problems with important aspects of life, such as relationships or finances
  • Associated risky behaviors such as drunk driving or getting into fights
  • Drinking to numb emotional pain

If you are questioning your own drinking habits or the drinking habits of someone close to you, addiction experts everywhere agree that reaching out for help is best done sooner rather than later. When left untreated, alcoholism can take over a person’s life, cause long-term damage to the body and keep them trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behaviors. Attempting to stop drinking without support can also lead to severe and potentially fatal complications like seizures, tremors and hallucinations. Finding a diagnosis and getting the necessary treatment is the most effective way to help prevent long-lasting harm from occurring.

The Health Impacts of Alcoholism

Alcohol is a mind-altering substance that changes the way you think and feel. It lowers inhibitions, but it can also increase your confidence, elevate your mood and reduce stress. Others might feel comfortably numb or withdrawn after a few drinks. These effects occur because alcohol interferes with your normal functioning and natural brain chemistry.

When you drink, alcohol becomes absorbed into your bloodstream and makes its way to your brain, where it triggers the release of chemicals that make you feel happy or relaxed while inhibiting the release of other chemicals that make you awake and alert. This can reinforce the behavior of drinking and lead to addiction. With extended or regular use of alcohol, your brain adjusts to its effects, resulting in chemical imbalances that cause problems such as:

Alcohol is also harmful to the body and can lead to serious health consequences. According to the WHO, the harmful use of alcohol is linked to more than 200 disease and injury-related conditions. In fact, more than 5% of the global burden of disease and injury can be directly attributed to alcohol. Some of the long-term impacts of alcohol use may include:

  • Liver and other organ damage
  • Weight fluctuations
  • Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies
  • Limb tremors
  • Injuries resulting from loss of coordination while drunk
  • Tooth decay
  • Heightened risk of cancer
  • Overdose (possibly fatal)

When To Seek Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

As soon as you suspect that you or your loved one might be using alcohol in a way that is unhealthy, problematic or out of their control, you should seek professional help. A treatment program is the best and most effective way to help someone learn the best ways to stay sober and healthy for life. Getting treatment right away can prevent some of the most damaging effects of alcoholism and help an individual heal with a bright future ahead.

Overcoming alcohol use disorder can seem daunting, but it’s never too late to turn things around. No matter how long or heavily someone has been drinking, they’re not beyond healing. All it takes is the right treatment program and a holistic approach to uncover the roots of their alcohol use, giving them a new start on a path to health and fulfillment.

The Importance of Medically-Supervised Detox

Many substances can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when use is suddenly decreased or stopped, and that includes alcohol. However, long-term and heavy alcohol use has a profound effect on the brain and body, which can make alcohol withdrawal dangerous to go through without the support of a medically-supervised detox.

Medical detox is often the first essential step for individuals on the path to recovery. Detox is the process of eliminating substances from the body in a safe manner while managing the withdrawal symptoms that occur as someone stops drinking or using drugs. When done properly in a professional setting, comfort medications can be used to minimize the most uncomfortable side effects and reduce the risk of dangerous complications. The goal is to end their physical dependency so they can start treatment healthy and clear-minded.

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal range from mild to severe, and in some cases, they can be life-threatening. Mild withdrawal symptoms often consist of headaches, nausea, sweating and fatigue. More serious symptoms might include tremors, anxiety, fever, confusion, agitation and seizures. Alcohol withdrawal can also lead to complications like delirium tremens (DTs), a severe and potentially fatal form of withdrawal that requires immediate medical attention.

At The Guest House, our team of medical professionals is experienced in managing the withdrawal process and provides individuals with all of the necessary care they need to detox successfully. Our doctors and nurses are available 24/7 and will monitor each client’s condition closely, adjusting treatment plans as needed for optimal safety and comfort.

Treating Alcohol Addiction at The Guest House

The Guest House is an addiction and mental health treatment center in Ocala, Florida that focuses on providing holistic and long-term solutions for healing. Our approach is designed to help our clients achieve lasting recovery by exploring the underlying causes of their drinking, such as trauma, stress, loss or otherwise. We also treat co-occurring mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression that are often seen alongside alcohol use disorder. We use a variety of whole-person, evidence-based therapies and techniques to promote lifelong mental wellness and sobriety, such as:

We understand that people heal in different ways, so each individual’s treatment plan is tailored to meet their unique needs and preferences. Our goal is to provide a supportive, compassionate environment in which clients can find the tools, techniques and strategies that help them make positive changes in their lives and move toward lasting recovery. If you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one, contact us to learn more about our admissions process and treatment programs. Call our team at 855-984-0626 today.

Our Commitment to Confidentiality

At The Guest House Ocala, we understand that seeking treatment for drug or alcohol addiction can be a sensitive and private matter. That’s why we are committed to maintaining your confidentiality throughout your treatment. We adhere to strict privacy policies and take all necessary measures to protect your personal information and medical records.