Alcohol Rehabs in Norwalk, CT
Reaching out and asking for help at alcohol rehabs in Norwalk could be the first step on the road to recovery from alcohol addiction. It's common for many people to underestimate the alcohol addiction recovery process, believing a person struggling with alcoholism should simply exert a bit of willpower and just stop drinking. Norwalk Drug Rehab Centers can help direct you toward a reputable facility (877) 804-1531.
In reality, alcohol addiction is a chronic disease of the brain characterized by compulsive consumption of alcohol despite negative consequences. A person who has become physically dependent on alcohol could potentially suffer dangerous withdrawal symptoms if trying to quit by going ‘cold turkey'.
Of course, the detox process on its own does nothing to address the psychological triggers behind self-destructive drinking behaviors. Getting through detox safely is only the first step of alcohol addiction recovery.
Unless the recovering person also goes through an intensive addiction treatment programs in Norwalk of behavioral therapy and individual counseling, the risk of ‘falling off the wagon', or relapsing back into dysfunctional drinking patterns is significantly increased.
What Is Alcohol Rehab?
Alcohol rehabs in Norwalk is a comprehensive treatment program designed to treat people struggling in the grip of alcohol addiction. Alcohol addiction treatment programs begin with the detox process, which helps break the body's physical dependency on the substance.
When a person enters into alcohol rehabs in Norwalk, the first stage of treatment is the assessment process. Each person is individually assessed to determine the severity of the addiction, the volume of alcohol being consumed, and the likelihood of the person developing severe withdrawal symptoms.
From there, the correct combination of treatments, medications, and therapies can be tailored to suit each person's unique needs.
Alcohol addiction treatment programs can provide a medically-assisted detox process. The recovering person is treated with prescription medications that reduce the severity of any symptoms associated with withdrawal and treat any psychological symptoms that may arise.
The alcohol addiction recovery process does not end when drug detox in Norwalk is complete. Alcohol addiction treatment programs incorporate a combination of behavioral therapies, individual counseling, and group support meetings to address the psychological triggers behind addictive behaviors.
What Makes You An Alcoholic?
Most people have a stereotyped image of what an alcoholic looks like. They imagine an unkempt, shabby person living on the streets, drinking cheap liquor from a bottle wrapped in a brown bag and remaining drunk all day.
In reality, an alcoholic is a person who has developed a physical and psychological dependency on drinking alcohol. Consuming alcohol causes changes to the way the brain's GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors work. A person's GABA receptors are designed to cause a person to feel relaxed or calm or sleepy.
When you drink alcohol, the GABA receptors are affected, causing a state of relaxation or calmness. Drinking heavily over a period of time eventually, causes the GABA receptors to function at higher-than-normal levels in an effort to counteract the effects of alcohol. The brain is also falsely triggered into releasing other hormones, such as adrenaline and other neurotransmitters in an attempt to counteract the sedative effects of the alcohol.
The result is that the person needs to drink larger volumes of alcohol in order to achieve the same effects. To an outside observer, it may appear that the person is able to drink plenty of alcohol without becoming intoxicated. This is known as tolerance.
At the same time, the GABA receptors become accustomed to the presence of alcohol in the system and are unable to function properly unless they continue to receive more stimulus from more alcohol. If the person tries to stop drinking, the GABA receptors are already functioning at higher-than-normal levels and they can't adapt quickly, so they enter into a hyper excitable state. The result emerges in the form of symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and high blood pressure.
At this point, the person is considered physically dependent or addicted.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Some of the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and even potentially life-threatening. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Intense cravings
- Shaking and tremors
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Elevated heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Disorientation and confusion
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium Tremens (DTs)
It's strongly advised that anyone detoxing from alcohol addiction does so under strict medical supervision, as there is a very real risk of developing dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Some of the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal can be so severe as to require emergency medical attention.
Alcohol addiction treatment programs provide a secure environment with medical supervision and monitoring that ensure the recovering person's safety. Medical staff can administer prescription medications to alleviate the worst of any symptoms and make the process more comfortable throughout.
Who Needs to Enter an Alcohol Rehab?
It's common for many people struggling with alcoholism to avoid entering into rehab. They seem to believe they can simply quit cold turkey at home and somehow be cured once the symptoms stop.
Others believe that having a few drinks after work to unwind or with friends to be social during dinner or just to relax after a stressful day means they don't have a problem. They also seem to believe that if they still have a job, a family, and responsibilities and they only drink after work, they can't possibly need rehab treatments.
Denial is perhaps the strongest reason given for not seeking treatment. A high-functioning alcoholic will still maintain a job, a family, a social life and other responsibilities even while maintaining a routine of heavy drinking. Besides, a high-functioning alcoholic is still an alcoholic.
The objective of alcohol rehabs in Norwalk is to provide structured therapy and treatment that work to address the underlying psychological reasons behind self-destructive drinking behaviors. Counseling also helps to teach the recovering person healthy new ways to cope with stress and other situations without the need for alcohol. Call Norwalk Drug Rehab Centers now for help (877) 804-1531.