Alcohol Abuse Treatment - Alcohol Rehab Directory

In West Virginia alcohol abuse is an ongoing problem for many families and communities. Alcohol abuse causes over 100,000 deaths in the United States and Canada each year. It is the drug most commonly abused by children ages 12 to 17. Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in teenagers. People who drink alcohol are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behavior, have poor grades or job performance, use tobacco products, and experiment with illegal drugs. Alcohol and drug use may be an unconscious attempt at self-treatment for another problem, such as depression.

If you are living in West Virginia and think that you may have an alcohol abuse problem please consider the following point. You have an alcohol abuse problem if your use of alcohol interferes with your health or daily living. You develop alcoholism if you physically or emotionally depend on alcohol to get you through your day. Long-term heavy drinking damages the liver, nervous system, heart, and brain. It also can lead to high blood pressure, stomach problems, medicine interactions, sexual problems, osteoporosis, and cancer. Alcohol abuse can also lead to violence, accidents, social isolation, jail or prison time, and difficulties at work and home.

Symptoms of an alcohol abuse problem include personality changes, blackouts, drinking more and more for the same "high," and denial of the problem. A person with an alcohol abuse problem may gulp or sneak drinks, drink alone or early in the morning, and suffer from the shakes. He or she may also have family, school, or work problems or get in trouble with the law because of drinking. The use of alcohol with medicines or illegal drugs may increase the effects of each.

Alcohol abuse patterns vary. Some people in West Virginia drink and may be intoxicated every day; others drink large amounts of alcohol at specific times, such as on the weekend. It is common for someone with an alcohol or drug problem to call in sick for work on Monday or Friday. He or she may complain of having a virus or the flu. Others may be sober for long periods and then go on a drinking binge that lasts for weeks or months.

Someone with alcohol dependence may suffer serious withdrawal symptoms, such as trembling, delusions, hallucinations, and sweating, if he or she stops drinking suddenly ("cold turkey"). Once alcohol dependence develops, it becomes very difficult to stop drinking without outside help. Medical alcohol detox may be needed. Help is available in West Virginia for alcohol abuse and addiction.

The number of West Virginia alcohol abuse treatment centers is rising to meet the growing number of individuals with alcohol abuse problems. There are several different alcohol abuse treatment programs available, and most are put together specifically for each individual. Alcohol detox is usually the first order of business. From there, the problem drinker may attend outpatient services, or may be asked to participate with in-patient programs. Alcohol abuse treatment programs in West Virginia are tailor made to each individual. There is no one combination of treatments that work for everyone.

Alcohol detox is only the first step in gaining freedom from alcohol and the consequences of alcohol abuse. Alcohol detox can be scary and can cause people to avoid detoxification and abstinence. The brain receptors have been inhibited with the consistent use of alcohol. Cessation of alcohol after chronic use or a heavy recent bout of drinking leads to a variety of withdrawal symptoms. Physical manifestations of withdrawal during alcohol detox are also dependent upon the patient's duration and extent of use, along with their psychological history, including other chemical addictions.

Once alcohol detox is complete, the patient will enter into a West Virginia alcohol rehab program. There are many different types of alcohol rehab programs available in West Virginia. Here are some of the most popular:

• Inpatient alcohol rehab is usually considered the initial detox phase of alcohol abuse treatment. It is when a person checks into some form of medical facility for detoxification, often a hospital based facility. It begins the rehab process, monitoring the safe and comfortable detoxification of all chemical substances from the person's body.
• Partial hospitalization (PHP) is when the person spends a half day, either morning or afternoon at a facility. These programs can range from a few weeks to a few months.
• Residential alcohol rehab is where someone stays in a facility full-time. The length of stay can vary, but the standard of the industry is still 28 days.
• Extended care (aka long term alcohol rehab is like residential and usually lasts up to 90 days. Clients are provided ongoing therapy and counseling. Many have been through residential already and relapsed.
• Intensive outpatient (IOP) is done on a part time basis, for a few hours several times a week, usually for several months. A complete assessment and evaluation, done by a professional, will usually determine the right level of alcohol abuse treatment.