Alcohol abuse is a severe problem that can lead to many unwanted health consequences. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s essential to be aware of the long-term effects of alcohol abuse. With treatment, however, it is possible to overcome alcohol addiction and live a healthy, sober life.
Samba Recovery offers alcohol rehab in Atlanta for patients struggling with alcohol dependence. Our caring and compassionate staff is dedicated to helping our patients achieve sobriety and attain their long-term recovery goals. Call 888.505.8279 to speak with someone from Samba Recovery’s team and get on the road to addiction recovery today.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse?
Heavy drinking can take a toll on your physical health. Some potential long-term effects of alcohol abuse include:
- Liver damage
- Heart disease
- Pancreatitis
- Cancer
- Brain damage
Alcohol abuse can also lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. If you are struggling with alcohol abuse, getting help is vital before these problems worsen.
What Is the Difference Between Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Addiction?
People often use the terms “alcohol abuse” and “alcohol addiction” interchangeably. However, there is a difference between the two.
Alcohol abuse is defined as drinking that leads to problems in your life, but you can still stop drinking if you want. When you’re abusing alcohol, you may be able to stop drinking for some time, but you eventually start again. Alcohol addiction, on the other hand, is defined as a chronic disease that causes you to crave alcohol even though you know it’s harmful to your health. When you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, you may want to stop drinking, but you cannot do so alone.
However, both alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are serious problems that require professional treatment. If you are struggling with either situation, Samba Recovery can help.
What Are the Signs of Alcohol Dependence?
Alcohol dependence is a severe problem that can cause many physical and psychological symptoms. In many cases, developing alcohol dependence also means an addiction has developed. Several signs may indicate that you are dependent on alcohol. These include:
- Feeling like you need to drink to function normally
- Being unable to control your drinking once you start
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back on drinking or stop altogether
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, tremors, sweating, and nausea. If you experience any of these symptoms when you try to stop drinking, getting help right away is crucial as they can worsen quickly and be very dangerous. Long-term effects of alcohol abuse tend to build up over months or years, but alcohol withdrawal symptoms don’t take a lot of time to affect you in unwanted ways significantly.
What Should You Expect from Alcohol Addiction Treatment?
If you are seeking treatment for alcohol addiction, there are several things you can expect from a reputable treatment program. First, rehab specialists will assess the severity of your addiction and any underlying mental health conditions that may be contributing to your addiction. Next, they will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include the following:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Medication management
Finally, after completing treatment, you will have access to resources such as sober living houses and 12-step programs to maintain your long-term sobriety.
Find Alcohol Addiction Rehab in Georgia at Samba Recovery
If you or someone you love is struggling with the long-term effects of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence, it’s essential to seek help from a reputable treatment program. To learn more about alcohol addiction treatment, contact Samba Recovery in Georgia at 888.505.8279 or reach out online today. We offer various evidence-based treatment services to address your unique needs and help you achieve lasting recovery.