Alcoholism

The most prevalent and accepted addictive drug in our society, alcohol abuse is considered a rite of passage for entering adulthood. A respected professor commented recently that he believed that college fraternities and sororities were the gateway to alcoholism; a common zone where young people learned to revel in excess and overindulgence. Alcoholism is a progressive and fatal disease that occurs gradually as drinking alcohol alters the chemistry of the brain. Raising the levels of dopamine and creating pleasure, alcohol generates a craving in alcoholics to always desire more in order to restore the pleasure and do away with the negative. There are definite certain genetic factors at play in alcoholism, but the social and cultural factors play an important role as well. The glamorous depiction of alcohol in advertising and entertainment send the message that getting drunk and drinking to excess on a regular basis is a form of normative behavior. Social drinking with friends and associates is a common form of bonding and even business, leading to an enabling atmosphere where the alcoholic cannot stop the progression of their disease.

Despite extreme negative consequences in relation to work, family and health, alcoholics will continue to abuse alcohol unless they find the path of recovery. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, about 18 million Americans abuse alcohol on a regular basis. Each year more than 100,000 people in this country die of alcohol-related causes and alcohol is a primary factor in nearly half the traffic deaths in this country.  A dependence on alcohol leads directly to an increased tolerance and the need to drink more and more to achieve the same results. Alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening, leading to grand mal seizures delirium tremens. At  ONE80CENTER, our treatment professionals know how to navigate these dangerous waters and allow the alcoholic to overcome the initial dangers of withdrawal. This is only the first step; long term recovery is a process of addressing the spiritual malady and stopping the mental obsession. Through guidance and counseling,  ONE80CENTER can help alcoholics regain their lives and free themselves from the chronic and progressive chains of alcoholism.