by Laura Diffendal 
Some individuals might see improvement within a few months, while others may require a year or more of consistent treatment and lifestyle changes to notice benefits. People who drink too much alcohol are at risk of developing a host of health conditions and disorders including certain types of cancer, liver disease, and heart disease. Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the brain and other organs, and it also increases the chances of developing sleep problems, depression, and other mental health problems.
- While alcohol is toxic to all cells in the body, it is particularly toxic to the liver since it is primarily metabolized by the liver.
- Many times, this requires a full alcohol detoxification and rehab program.
- The first idea that needs to be accepted is the suggestion that alcoholism is a disease.
- Alcoholic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol.
- Below is a list of some of the providers who are typically involved in alcohol treatment and the type of care they may offer.
Manifestation of Symptoms of Alcoholic Neuropathy in Different Body Parts
A combination of medical treatment and lifestyle changes can help individuals abstain from drinking and lead healthy lives. Three medications are currently approved in the United States to help people stop or reduce their drinking and prevent a return to drinking. These medications are prescribed by a primary care provider or other health care provider and may be used alone or https://ecosoberhouse.com/ in combination with counseling.
- Friends gather for after-work drinks, spouses have cocktails together for “date nights” or some may just be in the habit of ending the day with a beer or a glass of wine—or two—or more.
- Key to all of them is helping clients understand their condition in both physical and psychological terms.
- This may be more reliable and convenient than oral pills, especially if you think you may forget or not want to take a pill every day.
- “Cutting down” on drinking doesn’t work; cutting out alcohol is necessary for a successful recovery.
- In most instances, the pancreas heals itself and normal pancreatic functions of digestion and sugar control are restored.
Detox
Behavioral therapy works to identify the source of addiction, whether it be a co-occurring disorder, trauma, or both. Individuals involved in behavioral therapy will develop the skills needed to identify and correct damaging behaviors. By applying learned skills and coping mechanisms, individuals gain the foresight to fight addiction as well as reject triggers and temptations that may occur upon entering into recovery. When left untreated, this disorder has the potential to destroy relationships, cause financial ruin, and inflict irreversible, physical damage. After the inpatient portion of the treatment process is over, the outpatient program can begin. When it is finished, it is highly recommended that addicted individuals stay connected to an aftercare program.
Can Alcohol Neuropathy Be Cured?
Cognitive behavioral therapy, medications to help correct chemical imbalances in the brain, and peer-support networks have all been shown to be useful for this purpose. About 80 percent of all people with long-term alcoholism develop this condition due to the way their body becomes starved of thiamine from poor nutrition. Many of the signs and symptoms of alcoholism occur because of a condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. That being said, there are many cases of people developing an addiction to alcohol when they had no previous family history of it. The reason that brain damage from alcoholism seems to occur is because of the way that it depletes the level of thiamine in the body, which is an important vitamin that is necessary for brain health. This vicious cycle is the reason that alcoholism is considered to be a disease—it changes the body’s response to it, the brain reactions and structure, and eventually, a person’s behavior.
- This may be accompanied by amnesia, involuntary urination, and the development of psychosis.
- Alcohol’s effects are heightened by medicines that depress the central nervous system, such as sleeping pills, antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and some painkillers.
- All of these medications are available only through an approved doctor.
- Of course, depending on your situation, you may also be given individual therapy, in which you and a therapist talk through your issues and work on healthier solutions to manage them.
- It is a condition best treated by professionals with experience, knowledge, and the right tools to help alcoholics along their individual roads to recovery.
It takes time and treatment to address the symptoms that are the root cause of all your troubles. By opening your mind to suggestions from people who live sober lives on a daily basis, you will be on your way towards an exciting journey in recovery. Alcoholics who relapse insist that they returned to the same intensity level of drinking almost immediately upon taking that first drink. The body will naturally cure itself after the alcohol is removed. An important principle about alcoholism is to remember that curing it as a disease requires action. If we maintain a commitment to Sobriety do what is necessary to treat our condition, we essentially are cured.
Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease characterized by a person’s inability to control their drinking. It is a serious condition that can have serious health and social consequences. People often wonder whether it’s better to go to inpatient or outpatient rehab for alcohol. After completing a detox program, many choose to move on to inpatient alcohol rehab.
Mental Health Resources
They understand the struggles of addiction and how difficult it is to overcome on your own. We are proud to can alcoholism be cured the best alcohol rehabilitation North Carolina has to offer. Alcohol-induced dementia and alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) are devastating consequences of chronic alcohol misuse. This progressive neurological condition develops when prolonged, excessive…