Alcohol Rehabs in Lawrence, MA
Seeking help at alcohol rehabs in Lawrence could be the first step on the road to recovery from addiction. Rehab programs provide a range of treatments that can make the alcohol addiction recovery process easier to manage, which ultimately makes it easier to remain sober over the long term.
Alcohol addiction treatment won't change who you are as a person. Rather, it helps you recognize your unique addiction triggers and develop healthy new ways to prevent relapsing. Contact Lawrence Alcohol Rehab Centers today to learn more about addiction treatment options (877) 804-1531.
What Is Alcohol Rehab?
Alcohol rehab is a comprehensive program of treatment designed to help a recovering alcoholic learn positive, healthy ways to live a sober lifestyle. Alcohol addiction treatment programs use a combination of treatments and therapies that address both the physical and psychological side of addiction.
What Makes You An Alcoholic?
Alcoholism is the most severe type of drinking problem, characterized by all the same symptoms as alcohol abuse, but also includes physical dependence on the substance.
An alcoholic is a person who needs to drink alcohol in order to continue functioning normally. An alcoholic will feel an overwhelming compulsion to drink alcohol, even in the face of negative consequences.
Continued alcohol and drug abuse in Lawrence over a period of time cause significant changes within the brain's chemistry. Eventually, the brain comes to believe it can no longer function normally unless it continues to receive more alcohol. If the person tries to quit drinking suddenly, the brain can't adapt and enters into a hyperexcitable state. At this point, the person is considered physically dependent, or an alcoholic.
If consumption of alcohol stops suddenly, the drinker experiences a range of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, some of which could be potentially life-threatening. Many people will continue with self-destructive drinking patterns in an effort to avoid the onset of withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are not the same thing as experiencing a bad hangover. The symptoms associated with withdrawal are caused by the brain's inability to adapt to the sudden lack of alcohol in the system and can begin as soon as two hours from the last drink. While the worst of any symptoms should subside within 7 days, some symptoms can persist for weeks. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Overwhelmingly fierce cravings to drink alcohol
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shaking and tremors
- Heavy sweating
- Mild fever
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens (DTs)
Why Shouldn't You Detox from Alcohol at Home?
Despite the risk of developing potentially dangerous or even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, many people believe they can simply quit drinking at home on their own.
What those people completely underestimate is how severe some of the symptoms can be. In the event that the person develops some of the more dangerous symptoms, emergency medical assistance may be required.
The person also faces a significantly increased risk of relapsing or falling off the wagon. If the person has already been detoxing for a day or two, it's likely they would have reduced any tolerance levels that have been built up, which further increases the risk of suffering from alcoholic poisoning.
By comparison, seeking help at alcohol rehabs in Lawrence can provide medical supervision. Addiction specialists may also be able to provide medically-assisted detox treatments. Specific prescription medications can help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and make it easier to get through the detox process.
Who Should Enter an Alcohol Rehab?
Anyone struggling to regain control over their life and break free from self-destructive drinking behaviors should seek treatment at alcohol rehabs in Lawrence. Yet, despite the alcohol addiction treatment programs available, many people avoid entering into drug rehabs in Lawrence.
They seem to think all they need to do is ensure a couple of uncomfortable days of detox and then they'll somehow be cured. What they don't realize is that detox is only the first step in the alcohol addiction recovery process.
Detox simply eliminates the effects of alcohol on the body and helps to break the physical dependency. It does nothing to address the underlying psychological triggers behind self-destructive drinking behaviors.
Alcohol rehabs in Lawrence incorporate a combination of individual counseling, behavioral therapy, group support meetings and alternative therapies. The correct combination of alcohol addiction treatment and therapy is the key to learning healthy new ways of coping with stress, emotions, and other drinking triggers without the need for alcohol.
By the time the person leaves rehab, they should have all the recovery tools and resources they need to maintain the motivation to stay clean and sober over the long-term. Call Lawrence Alcohol Rehab Centers now for help (877) 804-1531.