Today, alcohol addiction is the most common type of substance used in the United States. Millions of Americans use this substance regularly, and nearly every form of media shows alcohol use as a normal activity. Unfortunately, excessive alcohol consumption can spiral into alcohol abuse. This can cause an individual to then develop an addiction to alcohol. Consequently, this can lead to a range of physical and mental health concerns.

Alcoholism requires specialized treatment to prevent the damaging effects of substance abuse. Therefore, if you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol use disorder, it’s time to find a substance abuse treatment center. At our addiction treatment center in Massachusetts, we can provide you with the tools necessary to put substance abuse behind you. You can move into the future with strength and confidence!

What is Alcoholism and How Does it Affect the Human Body?

alcohol addiction treatment in massachusettsAlcoholism is a condition characterized by frequent alcohol abuse and an individual’s inability to manage their drinking habits. People who suffer from this type of substance misuse continue to drink despite the negative side effects that come with consuming too much alcohol. Regardless of physical, social, or psychological ramifications, the addicted person will continue to seek out and drink alcohol.

The prioritization of alcohol by a person suffering from an alcohol use disorder is highly concerning because of the many ways alcohol affects the human brain and body. For example, consuming large amounts of alcohol consistently can lead to a higher tolerance. This is dangerous as addicted individuals over time have to drink higher quantities of alcohol to continue to feel the desired effects of the substance, exacerbating any problems caused by their frequent consumption.

How Alcohol Affects the Body

Consuming vast quantities of alcohol, like any drug, can lead to a variety of different health conditions. Excessive drinking in particular has a profound and damaging effect on human health. When misused, alcohol is shown to produce both short-term and long-term side effects — some of which may be irreversible.

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol

In the short term, the following side-effects can occur due to consuming too much alcohol:

  • Hangovers
  • Blurry vision
  • Restlessness
  • Falls or accidents
  • Alcohol poisoning
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Lowered inhibitions
  • Interpersonal conflict
  • Reduced brain activity
  • Risky or violent behavior
  • Poor reflexes and slow reaction time

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol

The long-term effects of alcohol abuse may be more concerning than the short-term side effects. While the severity of symptoms depends on the frequency of consumption, the amount consumed, hydration levels, or whether the person was eating food, serious and persistent health effects may still occur. The long-term effects of alcohol on the body include the following:

  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Folate deficiency or malnutrition
  • Disease of the liver such as cirrhosis
  • Increased risk for cancers such as those of the esophagus, breast, or mouth

Alcohol abuse is considered to be one of the four leading causes of preventable death. This puts it in the same category as other health-damaging substances such as cigarettes. Moreover, alcohol can affect more than a person’s physical health. Every aspect of a person’s life may be impacted by abusing alcohol, such as mental health, work performance, financial stability, and interpersonal relationships.

How Alcohol Abuse Affects the Brain

Not only does alcohol abuse and misuse substantially affect a person’s body, the human brain also experiences alterations in function. As alcohol enters the brain, it increases the levels of dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) being released. These chemical messengers create a feel-good effect that reinforces the consumption of alcohol so that you continue experiencing the pleasurable sensations caused by alcohol.

Unfortunately, the frequent abuse of alcohol can take a tremendous toll on the brain and produce negative cognitive side effects over time, such as:

  • Dementia
  • ​​Memory loss
  • Problems with learning
  • Hindered mental functioning
  • Worsening of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression

The Dangers of Binge Drinking

Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, can develop from bad habits surrounding alcohol use.  Binge drinking, an act that can lead to a dependency on alcohol, refers to when a person drinks large quantities of alcohol quickly with the intention of getting intoxicated in a short period of time. While this may seem like a harmless way to get the most out of your alcohol, it is actually a very dangerous practice.

Binge drinking is associated with a number of consequences including hangovers, alcohol poisoning, violent behavior, crime, and accidents in the short term. In the long term, the development of alcoholism can occur as an individual’s body becomes more and more accustomed to handling large amounts of alcohol. This can cause the misuse of alcohol to develop into a fully realized substance abuse that leads to many of the health consequences previously mentioned.

Do You Need Treatment for Alcoholism?

alcohol addiction treatment massachusettsBecause American society widely accepts alcohol use, it’s often hard for people to determine whether or not they need to seek out an alcoholism rehab center. However, experts in the arena of addiction treatment recognize a range of symptoms that indicate if someone is abusing this substance. Signs of alcohol use disorder may include:

  • Not attending professional, social, or family events to drink instead
  • Commonly using most or all of your time to obtain, drink, or recover from drinking alcohol
  • Continuing to drink despite developing harmful mental and physical side effects of your drinking
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as shakiness or headaches, when you do not use alcohol
  • Getting into dangerous or risky situations because of your alcohol use, such as engaging in unprotected sex or drunk driving
  • Being unable to meet all of your responsibilities at work, home, or school because you feel that you must drink instead

If you’ve struggled with several of these criteria, then it may be time to seek substance abuse treatment for alcohol use disorder. At Chapters Recovery, we provide individualized care using evidence-based practices centered around The Big Book of AA. However, before you seek alcoholism treatment in the state of Massachusetts, detoxing from alcohol in a medical setting is a critical first step.

The Importance of Addiction Treatment Centers for Alcoholism

If you are suffering from alcoholism or any other substance use disorder, it is best to begin seeking addiction treatment. Professional addiction treatment options can offer you the help you need as you work towards recovery.

Seeking addiction treatment options that work best for you is more than a matter of convenience. Substance addiction services can help you work through the many challenges that arise during recovery. When ending alcohol and drug use, individuals experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to severe. In some cases, a medical emergency may even arise.

Receiving help from a professional alcohol or drug detox program can ensure a safe recovery. Rehab centers that offer medication-assisted treatment for alcohol and drug addiction are essential.

If you live in Massachusetts and you’re looking for alcohol and drug addiction treatment, there is hope. Rehab centers in Massachusetts like ours here at Chapters Recovery Center can provide treatment for substance use disorders in addition to mental health treatment. Although we do not offer detox at our addiction treatment center, we can help you find a detox center for your needs.

So, whether you are dealing solely with alcoholism or you are struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, we can help you! Our treatment options are available to assist you as you pursue a life free from alcoholism.

About Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms and Challenges

Some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can include the following:

  • Anxiety
  • Seizures
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Headaches
  • Disorientation
  • Hallucinations
  • Paroxysmal sweats
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Delirium Tremens (DT)
  • Increased hand tremors
  • Elevated blood pressure

The severity of these symptoms is why it is never recommended for anyone to quit alcohol cold turkey. As the brain and body become more adjusted to alcohol use, they require it to maintain stability. Subsequently, when alcohol use is suddenly stopped, the body can fail to maintain its equilibrium, leading to side effects that can cause serious health effects, some of which may lead to death.

It is best if one seeks treatment from professional detox centers. Treatment facilities like ours here at Chapters Recovery Center can help those who wish to end alcoholism in their lives. Through our drug and alcohol detox process, our clients can safely end alcohol use. This allows them to prepare for the next step in their recovery journey.

What Should You Expect at Our Alcoholism Treatment Center?

When you reach out to the experts at Chapters Recovery Center, our admissions team will ask you about your history of alcohol use. We will discuss your personal health information to ensure that our healthcare providers select the best treatment practices for you. Also, we will discuss any general questions or concerns you may have. Once we’ve performed this assessment, we will work with you to design a unique treatment plan to provide the best possible chance for long-term recovery.

Before you enter our program for alcoholism treatment in the state of Massachusetts, we may refer you to one of the expert detox facilities in the area. However, once you finish the detox process, you have a wide range of treatment options available to you, including:

No matter what level of treatment you require, you’ll spend a significant amount of your time in our care in one of our evidence-based therapy programs. Based on your unique needs, we can provide a customized treatment plan, ensuring that you get the tools you need to stay sober outside of treatment.

In addition, if you have any underlying mental health issues, we’re proud to provide dual diagnosis treatment. This treatment option addresses both substance addiction and a co-occurring mental health issue. Whether the mental health disorder was caused by, or simply contributed to, an addiction, we are able to treat both simultaneously, which further encourages long-term recovery.

Admissions Information: Preparing for Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment

Beginning the addiction treatment process can seem daunting. But, you don’t have to feel nervous or concerned; you’re in good hands here at Chapters Recovery Center! By choosing us as your treatment provider, you are selecting one of the best rehab facilities in the area!

alcohol addiction treatment massachusetts

We will make sure the admissions process flows smoothly for you so you can simply focus on overcoming alcoholism. You can learn more about our rehab programs and explore additional treatment options, such as group therapy, family counseling, and more. We will work with you to find the best addiction rehab program for your needs. Our healthcare providers are here for you!

Many rehab centers accept health insurance coverage for addiction and mental health services. You can find out more about the types of insurance accepted by our facility when you go through the insurance verification process.

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Alcoholism Treatment at Our Massachusetts Rehab Center

Alcoholism may be complicated, but the decision to get sober doesn’t have to be. Once you’ve decided to take your life back from substance abuse, finding treatment is the next step. If you’re looking for alcohol abuse treatment near Boston, Massachusetts, we are here to help.

Here at Chapters Recovery Center, we strive to help our clients begin a new chapter of their life. Our treatment professionals are dedicated to creating the best possible treatment plan for each of our clients. Our drug and alcohol rehab center can help you through your recovery process.

Whether you’re struggling with an addiction to alcohol or another drug, we can provide the care you need. Let our alcohol and drug rehab programs help you find freedom. Our treatment facility offers high-quality behavioral healthcare. Our treatment practices make us one of the best addiction treatment centers in Massachusetts.

Contact Us Today!

To learn more about our drug and alcohol addiction treatment services and discover which treatment program will best suit your unique needs, contact us today. Let Chapters Recovery Center be your guide to a new and healthier life!