Alcohol is easily the most abused drug in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, a medical research agency, 15 percent of the population has problem with alcohol. Of these "problem drinkers," 5 to 10 percent could be considered alcoholics. Although legal, their drug of choice kills tens of thousands of people each year. Some of them die on the roads and others succumb to liver disease in the hospital. Alcoholics also kill thousands of innocent people because of their reckless behavior.
It is important to note that the overwhelming majority of Americans can and do enjoy alcohol responsibly. They have a few beers while watching the big game or a couple of glasses of wine with dinner. There is even a growing body of research that suggests that moderate alcohol intake is good for you. But alcoholics don't deal in moderation. When they wet their proverbial whistles, they simply can't stop drinking.
Why does it happen?
Unfortunately, we don't know. There is no simple explanation for why some people can drink responsibly and others cannot. What we do know, however, is that the age of first exposure plays a roll. No, not all underage drinkers will inevitably become alcoholics, but they are at a much higher risk of developing the disease.
Health effects
As we mentioned, thousands of heavy drinkers succumb to liver disease each year. About 2 million Americans presently suffer from liver problems that are the direct result of their drinking. Nearly one in five of them will develop cirrhosis of the liver, which is a potentially fatal disease. Alcoholics are also about ten times as likely to be diagnosed with certain types of cancers and develop infections, since booze weakens the immune system. All of the empty calories may also lead to obesity, heart problems, and other weight-related diseases.
How to treat it
According to the experts, alcoholism cannot be cured. A person who abuses the substance for years is incapable of slowing down and becoming a causal drinker. The only way for an alcoholic to get his life back together is to quit, which means he can't drink a drop for the rest of his life. Getting a tippler to accept this fact is almost never easy. Most people need help from Dallas alcohol rehab professionals.
What do they do?
Most drug facilities treat all kinds of addicts. But if the problem is alcohol and only alcohol, it may be best to find a reputable Dallas alcohol rehab center. The cost of treatment varies greatly from place to place, and some facilities do not accept insurance. If money is an issue, and it almost always is, you may have to look around a bit before your find the right Dallas alcohol rehab center.
Look online
If a treatment center has a high success rate, they will almost certainly advertise it on their website. They may also post a laundry list of credentials to assure their prospective patients and their families that the staff is licensed and experienced. It is also important to inquire about extended care.
Numerous studies have shown that addicts are far more likely to stay sober when they complete longer treatment programs. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has ever struggled with addiction. Friendship, guidance, and support are what keep an alcoholic from taking a drink. And these bonds and relationships are stronger when a Dallas holistic rehab facility offers extended care.