Alcoholism and Treatment in Rochester, NY
Alcoholism is a serious medical condition that requires professional evaluation and treatment. Alcoholism and treatment centers can be found throughout Rochester and across the United States, including some facilities that specialize in medically assisted detox and others that specialize in rehabilitation. Alcoholism and treatment centers help people with all aspects of discontinuation and recovery, from the early days of intervention and detox through to the later stages of aftercare support. If you know anyone who is struggling with alcohol abuse or dependence, Drug Detox Centers Rochester can be your guide to recovery and guide to being free from alcoholism.
What is Alcohol Abuse?
Alcohol abuse is defined by the uncontrolled and problematic consumption of alcoholic beverages. Binge drinking is the most well-known form of alcohol abuse, with this practice defined in the United States as more than four drinks for men and more than three drinks for women over a single two-hour period.
Alcohol abuse is a form of alcoholism, with professional treatment recommended before dependence and addiction develop. People who abuse alcohol on a regular basis are much more likely to become dependent on alcohol than members of the wider community, with rates of depression disorder and anxiety-related conditions also higher. Alcohol abuse is regularly treated through psychotherapy programs, including behavioral therapy, 12-step facilitation, and motivational incentives.
What is Alcohol Dependence?
Alcohol dependence is normally recognized by increased tolerance and the existence of withdrawal symptoms when drinking is stopped or dosage levels are reduced. People with alcoholism, or alcohol dependent people, need to drink everyday in order to ward off physical-somatic and emotional-motivational withdrawal symptoms. Signs of alcohol dependence include increased tolerance, needing alcohol to relax, being unable to reduce drinking levels, suffering withdrawal symptoms, and feeling guilty about your drinking. Alcohol dependence is treated through a combination of medical detox and psychotherapy, including behavioral therapy and 12-step support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Alcohol Withdrawal and Detox
People who are dependent on alcohol often experience severe withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking. Because many of these symptoms can be dangerous, medical intervention is often needed. Common physical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, hand tremors, and anxiety, with these symptoms often progressing in the later stages of withdrawal to also include seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens. Psychological withdrawal symptoms are also common for alcoholics, including anxiety, depression, and severe alcohol cravings. Benzodiazepine drugs such as Valium and Serax are often used to manage alcohol withdrawal, with other medications sometimes applied during the later stage of detox and rehab.
Alcoholism Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation programs form the basis of alcohol treatment programs, including long-term pharmacotherapy, behavioral therapy, relapse prevention, motivational therapy, and 12-step facilitation. Detox does not address any of the psychological issues that underpin alcoholism, with rehab needed to tackle the emotional and environmental precursors of dependence.
Aftercare programs also form a vital part of the treatment process, including long-term counseling programs, family therapy, and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). If you know anyone who is struggling with alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence, Drug Detox Centers Rochester is just a call away.Call to speak with one of our caring recovery advocates.
