Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Wichita Falls, TX
Alcohol addiction is a condition that occurs when a person struggles with their relationship with alcohol. Ultimately, their addiction causes them to lose control over how much alcohol they drink. The results can be highly damaging to a person's personal life, affecting their relationships with family and friends. Alcohol addiction can impair their ability to keep a job and can cause them to experience trouble with the law due to reckless behavior when drinking. When a person experiences alcohol addiction, they should seek alcohol addiction treatment in Wichita Falls.
Alcohol addiction treatment in Wichita Falls can encompass many different services. The start to the process is through detox at our center for medical detox in Wichita Falls. When a person drinks alcohol, the alcohol has an effect on their body and brain. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Drinking it causes feelings of relaxation and slows a person's breathing and overall body activity. When a person stops drinking alcohol, their body will rebound in an overactive manner.
They will experience nausea, rapid heart rate, and sometimes pain. However, a person must detoxify their body of alcohol if they truly wish to be sober. At an alcohol addiction treatment center, a person can receive medications to reduce the incidence of these symptoms. Alcohol withdrawals also can cause a disorder of the brain called Wernicke's syndrome. At an alcohol addiction treatment center, a person can receive IV fluids and intravenous (IV) thiamine, which helps to reduce the likelihood the person will experience this syndrome.
After alcohol addiction treatment in Wichita Falls, a person may receive additional treatment through our program for relapse prevention in Wichita Falls to prevent a return to drug or alcohol abuse. Examples of these services include participation in regular counseling and/or group therapy. Many of those recovering from alcohol withdrawal may also choose to take a medication known as disulfiram (Antabuse), which can make a person feel very ill if they drink alcohol. The medicine can deter a person struggling with alcohol abuse from relapsing.
In addition to these programs, a person may also choose to enroll in Alcoholics Anonymous. This is a 12-step program that involves attending group meetings, either in-person or online. Through participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, a person will often find a sponsor, who is a mentor that can encourage a person in their sobriety and serve as a point of contact should a person be afraid they could potentially relapse.
Alcohol Addiction Signs and Symptoms
Alcohol addiction can cause a person to experience a number of symptoms. These aren't always evident, even to close friends and family. Examples of alcohol addiction symptoms include:
- Experiencing strong cravings for alcohol when a person isn't drinking.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, nausea, or headaches, when not drinking.
- Building up a tolerance to alcohol such that a person must drink more and more of a substance as a means to achieve the same effect when drinking.
- Experiencing memory losses and/or blackouts frequently after drinking.
- Committing to drinking less during a night out, yet always drinking much more than intended.
- Concealing a person's drinking, such as hiding alcohol bottles or drinking by one's self and denying they have been drinking.
When a person suffers from alcohol addiction, they are highly focused on alcohol. Their daily activities revolve around drinking and when they can get their next drink.
Why Should I Enter an Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center?
It's not uncommon that a person will attempt to resist seeking alcohol addiction treatment in Wichita Falls. They may be in denial they have a problem or think that they can quit on their own without the assistance of medical professionals. Unfortunately, when a person experiencing alcohol addiction, they can rarely overcome their addiction without alcohol addiction rehab.
The potential side effects of alcohol withdrawals mean a person should seek alcohol addiction treatment. Alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances to withdraw from because it can cause a syndrome known as the delirium tremens or DTs when a person stops drinking. This syndrome can have deadly consequences, such as hallucinations, seizures, extremely elevated body temperatures, and rapid heart rate. Without medical assistance, such as that from alcohol addiction treatment in Wichita Falls, a person could experience this syndrome.
Alcohol addiction treatment is associated with positive outcomes. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, thirty-three percent of people who undergo alcohol addiction treatment are still sober one year after treatment. These results are encouraging that a person can overcome their drug and alcohol addiction. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.