Alcoholism Treatment and Rehabilitation at Support Systems Homes

How Do I Know if I Have a Drinking Problem?

If drinking is causing you problems with your health, relationships, job, finances, the law and/or in other areas of your life, it's important to seek help.  The effects of alcohol abuse are serious—even fatal. 

Ask yourself these questions.  They come from the CAGE questionnaire, often used in doctor's offices, to identify cases of alcoholism.

1. Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?
2. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
3. Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?
4. Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

If you answered "Yes" to two or more of the above questions, you may have a drinking problem.  Keep reading for information that will help you.

What Is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism – A Disease That CAN Be Treated

Alcoholism is a disease that includes the following (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association):

• Repeated use of alcohol despite recurrent negative consequences
• Tolerance, or the need to drink increasingly larger amounts of alcohol in order to “feel” its effects
• Withdrawal.  Withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, shaking, sweating, insomnia and anxiety occur when alcohol use is stopped
• An uncontrollable drive to drink

Why Can't Alcoholics Just Stop Drinking?

The inability to stop drinking has little to do with willpower.  Alcoholics are in the grip of an uncontrollable need for alcohol, and most require assistance to recover. 

Often, those struggling with alcoholism are reluctant to seek treatment for a variety of reasons, including the perceived stigma associated with the disease, fear of withdrawal and a reluctance to be away from family and work obligations.  With proper treatment and support, however, many are able to stop drinking and successfully rebuild their lives.

Alcoholism - A Widespread Problem

Alcohol is the Third Leading Lifestyle-Related Cause of Death in the U.S.

According to the CDC, excessive alcohol use is the third leading lifestyle-related cause of death for U.S. residents annually.  The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports 17.6 million Americans are alcoholics or have alcohol problems, like binge drinking and regular heavy drinking.  Another 50 million, at least, are affected by alcoholism – accident victims, family members, friends, co-workers and others. 

Homicides, suicides and other violent acts are more likely to be committed by persons who have been drinking.  In fact, alcohol is a factor in 73% of all felonies in the U.S.  Alcohol-related problems cost society approximately $185 billion per year.  In human terms, the costs can't be calculated – for example, in 2008, there were 11,773 drunk-driving deaths in the US.

The Short and Long-Term Effects of Alcoholism

Short-Term Effects

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that causes numerous short-term issues.  Some alcohol-related problems, such as motor coordination and cognitive impairment, slurring of speech, impaired memory, and blurred vision can manifest after drinking heavily over a short period of time.  These tend to go away after the person sobers up.

Long-Term Effects

Other effects of problem drinking are more permanent and develop gradually over time.  The long-term effects of alcoholism include:

• Cirrhosis of the liver, and other liver disease
• Diabetes
• A variety of cancers (especially those of the liver, esophagus and throat)
• High blood pressure
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Pancreatitis
• Brain damage
• Irreversible harm to a fetus during pregnancy

Mental health issues, such as major depression, may also develop.  Long-term alcohol abuse has been shown to cause an 800% increased risk of psychotic disorders in men and a 300% increased risk in women.

Get Well – Treatment for Alcoholism

Alcohol Rehabilitation and Treatment Programs

Support Systems Homes has several different types of treatment and levels of care for alcoholics and problem drinkers.  

Treatment may include detoxification – designed to stabilize a person by getting the alcohol safely out of their systems, and help them understand options for longer-term treatment.  Detox can occur in a hospital, or in a rehab center specifically designed to safely administer detox to those suffering from alcoholism. 

Detoxification should be followed by longer-term treatment, such as residential, day and/or outpatient treatment in a Support Systems Homes facility licensed here in California.  Along with counseling, education and other therapies, our rehab programs also give people vital post-treatment resources, like legal assistance, job prep and training, education, housing and more.

Helping Families and Friends

Because the support of family members and friends is so crucial to the recovery process, Support Systems programs also offer a family program as part of your treatment for alcoholism.  It's also important for loved ones to begin their own healing process; our treatment center-based family programs can help with this, as can community-based programs such as Al-Anon/Alateen.

"Today our son is one year free of drugs and alcohol.  We want you to know how highly we value the contribution you, your staff and the Support Systems philosophy have made to his recovery.  This has been a long and bumpy road, with many detours along the way.  The reality is it's a never-ending road, requiring constant maintenance.  We didn't give up hope, and neither did Support Systems."

Maintaining Sobriety Over the Long-Term

Aftercare: Although alcoholism can be treated, even if an alcoholic has been sober for a long time and has regained health, he or she must continue to actively maintain a sober lifestyle.  With this in mind, many treatment programs offer Aftercare to program graduates.  Aftercare is generally a managed group that meets regularly to guide clients in long-term recovery efforts.

Self-Help Groups: Many treatment programs also include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings or refer clients to AA and other community-based self-help groups for ongoing recovery support.  Although AA is generally recognized as an effective, peer-based program for recovering alcoholics, not everyone responds to AA's style or message.  Support Systems Homes maintains a list of other available recovery approaches.

Alcoholism Treatment in Northern California – Call Support Systems Homes to Get Help

Support Systems Homes maintains this page so our treatment participants know they'll receive high-quality care with us.  Our rehab programs cover alcoholism recovery, drug treatment, and sober living facilities throughout Northern California.

If you or someone you know suffers from alcoholism, call us at (800) 811-1800 to discuss treatment options.  Or email us at info@drug-rehabilitation.com.

Further Resources and Information

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services, Inc.
Phone: (212) 870–3400
www.aa.org
(Support, meeting information and resources for problem drinkers)

Al-Anon/Alateen
Phone: (757) 563–1600; Fax: (757) 563–1655
www.al-anon.alateen.org
(Support, meeting information and resources for friends and family of problem drinkers)

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Phone: (301) 443–3860
www.niaaa.nih.gov
Free informational materials on all aspects of alcoholism, including the effects of drinking during pregnancy, alcohol use and the elderly, and help for cutting down on drinking.

National Institute on Drug Abuse
Phone: 1-800-622-HELP
www.nida.nih.gov/DrugPages/Alcohol.html

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)
www.samhsa.gov
(links to prevention and treatment resources as well as educational materials)

SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
1-800-729-6686
ncadi.samhsa.gov

   
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