Alcoholism Information

Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that contains ethanol and depresses the central nervous system, resulting in lowered inhibitions, poor judgment, reduced attention, and slowed reaction speed. Alcoholic beverages can be addictive, and the state of addiction to alcohol is known as alcoholism.

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol affects the brain, initially causing euphoria and excitement (including increased self-confidence, shortened attention span, and lowered inhibitions), and then leading to functional difficulty (sleepiness, poor coordination, memory loss, blurred vision, delayed reactions). As an individual continues to drink, they can progress to stupor (extreme confusion, increased emotionality, inability to stand or walk, vomiting, lapsing consciousness), shutdown (prolonged periods of lost consciousness, slowed respiration and circulation, suppressed reflexes), and sometimes death.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol

As an individual habitually drinks, the liver becomes more efficient at removing alcohol from the bloodstream, so the alcoholic must consume increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effects, which greatly contributes to alcohol dependency. About 8 percent of people in the United States are dependent on alcohol, but many more experience problems with alcohol and go undiagnosed.

Long-term, heavy drinking can result in dementia, several types of cancer (mouth, pharyngeal, oesophageal, laryngeal, breast, bowel, and liver), malnutrition, liver damage, emotional instability and irritability, memory loss, heart disease, brain damage, vitamin deficiency, stomach ulcers, skin problems, and sexual performance problems.

Alcoholism Treatment at Promises

Clients who are dependent on alcohol will be treated in a safe, relaxing environment where they can focus on their recovery in comfort. After the initial assessment, clients are assigned a core treatment team that includes a primary therapist, family therapist, psychiatrist, medical doctor, nurse, and, if necessary, an alcohol detox specialist.

While the experience will be different for each client, all treatment programs at Promises include individualized care and personalized treatment plans, multiple weekly group and individual therapy based on the 12 steps, a family program, and alumni services to help in continuing the client’s recovery after leaving Promises.