Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the US. It is estimated that 18 million people in the US are either alcoholics or alcohol abusers. Yet, abusing alcohol and being addicted to alcohol, whilst similar in outward appearance, are two distinct problems. An alcohol addict is someone physically dependent on alcohol – the addict will develop withdrawal symptoms if he or she stops drinking. Addicts are also mentally compelled to drink, they do not have a choice and struggle to stop drinking excessively.
The Dangerous Addiction.
Experts estimate that alcohol addiction causes 90,000 deaths every year in the US. Alcohol addiction is clearly a very dangerous condition and is one of the primary causes of lifestyle-related deaths in the US. These huge numbers are a direct result of the impact that alcohol addiction has on the development of serious diseases such as:
- Heart and cardiovascular disease.
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- Liver damage (cirrhosis).
As a result, alcohol addicts have a life expectancy that is 10-12 years below the national average. For alcohol addicts even the process of quitting alcohol itself can be dangerous – alcohol withdrawal syndrome can often cause serious illness and, in extreme cases, lead to death.
On The Road To Abstinence.
The focus of any treatment for alcohol addiction is achieving and maintaining abstinence and sobriety. However, this is often a long road and always starts with a simple yet deceptively hard to achieve concept – accepting that one has an addiction. Once this point has been achieved, it is always advisable to attend a structured rehabilitation process, much like the service that Thriveworks Bristol Addiction Counseling provides.
Here at Thriveworks Bristol, VA we have experienced counselors that will guide you through the rehabilitation process and help you on your road to sustained sobriety. We understand how hard it can be to ask for help, so reach out to us now for an introductory call and make the first step.
