Alcohol Abuse Treatment - Alcohol Rehab Directory

In Alaska, the term alcohol abuse can vary. Our historical background and multi-cultural population have created wide and strong disagreements in American society over what constitutes alcohol abuse. To some college students, heavy drinking that leads to vomiting is not alcohol abuse but simply having a good time and being "one of the gang." For those whose religion requires abstinence, simply tasting an alcohol beverage is not only alcohol abuse but a sin. To many activists, a married couple quietly enjoying a drink with their dinner is guilty of abusing alcohol if they happen to be twenty years of age. To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an accident is alcohol related (and implicitly caused by alcohol abuse) if a driver who has consumed a drink is sitting at a red light and rear-ended.

Alcohol abuse in Alaska is described as the recurring use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences. Alcohol abuse is sometimes referred to by the less specific term alcoholism. However, many definitions of alcoholism exist, and only some are compatible with alcohol abuse. In Alaska, binge drinking is another form of alcohol abuse. Frequent binge drinking or getting severely drunk more than twice is classed as alcohol misuse.

Overcoming an addiction to alcohol and entering into alcohol abuse treatment can be a long and bumpy road. At times, it may even feel impossible. But it’s not. If you’re ready to stop drinking and willing to get the alcohol abuse treatment support you need, you can recover from alcoholism and alcohol abuse—no matter how bad the addiction or how powerless you feel.

Recovery starts with admitting you have a problem with alcohol. You don’t have to wait until you hit rock bottom; you can enter into an Alaska alcohol abuse treatment program at any time. And while there are many effective alcohol abuse treatment options, you must realize that you are the one who is solely responsible for your lasting sobriety.

If you’re a long-term, heavy drinker, you may need medically supervised alcohol detox. The alcohol detox process can be done on an outpatient basis or in a hospital or alcohol abuse treatment facility. As part of the alcohol detox process, you may be prescribed medication to prevent medical complications and relieve withdrawal symptoms. It is important that you speak with your doctor or addiction specialist to learn more about the specific alcohol detox method they will be using with you in Alaska.

When you drink heavily and frequently, your body becomes physically dependent on alcohol and goes through withdrawal if you suddenly stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually start within hours after you stop drinking, peak in a day or two, and improve within five days. But in some alcoholics, withdrawal is not just unpleasant—it can be life threatening. Common withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detox range from mild to severe, and include:

• Anxiety and restlessness
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shaking
• Stomach cramps and diarrhea
• Sweating
• Trouble sleeping or concentrating

While getting sober and attending alcohol rehab is an important first step, it is only the beginning of alcohol recovery. A few weeks or even months attending an alcohol rehab in Alaska can get you started on the road to recovery, but to stay alcohol-free for the long term, you’ll need to build a new, meaningful life where drinking no longer has a place. Cravings for alcohol can be intense, particularly in the first six months after you enter alcohol rehab and quit drinking. Good alcohol rehab programs prepare you for these challenges, helping you develop new coping skills to deal with stressful situations, alcohol cravings, and social pressure to drink.