Alcohol Treatment in Westchester, PA

Anyone struggling to break free from a cycle of alcohol addiction can benefit from seeking alcohol treatment in Westchester. Achieving successful alcohol addiction recovery is possible with assistance from the right combination of treatments and therapies available at local drug rehab centers.

Drug and alcohol rehab facilities use comprehensive treatment programs designed to help a recovering alcoholic detox safely from the effects of the substance as the first phase of treatment. Getting through the detox process is a big step towards sobriety, but it's only the first part of the recovery process.

Medical detox in Westchester on its own does nothing to address the underlying psychological triggers behind self-destructive drinking behaviors. In order to address the psychological side of addiction, alcohol treatment in Westchester focuses on various factors to help each person develop their own path to recovery.

What Is Alcohol Addiction?

Abusing alcohol over a period of time causes significant changes within the brain's chemistry. Alcohol is a depressant that acts directly on the central nervous system. The brain reacts to the depressive effects of the substance by releasing an abnormally large amount of hormones and neurotransmitters in an effort to counteract some of the effects.

Continued heavy drinking over a period of time causes the brain to adapt to the presence of alcohol in the system. The person may notice that they need to consume larger volumes of alcohol in order to achieve the same effects that used to require much less. To an outside observer, it may appear as though the person is able to drink lots of alcohol without getting drunk

In reality, the person has developed tolerance to alcohol. As the person continues to drink heavily, the brain keeps adapting, eventually becoming fooled into thinking that the person will continue consuming the same high volumes of alcohol on a regular basis.

The brain automatically starts releasing high levels of hormones the moment the drinker begins drinking, in an effort to remain functioning normally. At this point, the person is considered physically dependent on alcohol, or addicted.

If the person stops drinking suddenly, the brain can't adapt to the lack of the substance in the system and continues over-producing hormones. It enters a hyper-excitable state, which the drinker interprets as uncomfortable and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, the symptoms can be so severe that can become dangerous or even life-threatening and may require emergency medical care.

Alcohol Addiction Signs and Symptoms

Many people caught in the grip of alcohol addiction have no idea of the extent of their drinking problem. Yet others around them may start to question the amount of alcohol being consumed.

If you or someone you know is drinking heavily on a regular basis, including binge drinking, there are some common signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction to watch for. These include:

Cravings: Many heavy drinkers may feel a strong urge or compulsion to have a drink after a stressful day or after an argument or simply to unwind and relax. The urges are more commonly known as cravings and only get stronger as self-destructive drinking patterns continue.

Loss of control: Many people spiraling down into alcohol addiction struggle to retain control over the amount they drink and the frequency of their drinking. They may also struggle to stop drinking after just one or two, ending up consuming larger volumes than intended.

Blacking out: A person with a serious alcohol abuse disorder may drink to excess to such a degree that they may not remember things that were said or done while under the influence of alcohol.

Repeated failed attempts to quit: It's common for many people caught in the grip of addiction to promise to quit drinking, only to resume drinking patterns almost immediately. They may even remain sober for a few days, before falling off the wagon and getting caught in another drinking session that sparks the cycle again.

Tolerance: Needing to drink more in order to achieve the same effects that used to be reached with lower volumes.

Withdrawal symptoms: When drinking stops suddenly, the person may experience a range of unpleasant and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Who Needs to Enter a Center For Alcohol Treatment in Westchester

It's common for many people with serious drinking problems to underestimate the severity of their addiction. Most are in denial about their problem, believing they can still quit at any time, except they fool themselves into thinking they don't want to yet.

Others may know they have a problem but may believe they can simply detox at home without needing to enter into a drug and alcohol rehab facility for treatment. They believe they only need to endure a few rough days of detox and then they'll somehow be cured.

However, without seeking help from a professional center for alcohol treatment in Westchester, it's common for many struggling alcoholics to return to a pattern of self-destructive drinking in an effort to avoid the onset of nasty withdrawal symptoms. In order to make a successful alcohol addiction recovery, it's important to seek professional alcohol withdrawal treatment at a drug rehab facility.

Detox is the first step in comprehensive treatment programs in Westchester that help eliminate the effects of the substance on the body. From there, alcohol treatment in Westchester focuses on addressing the psychological triggers behind dysfunctional drinking behaviors.

The objective of programs for alcohol treatment in Westchester is to teach recovering alcoholics healthy, productive new ways to live a sober lifestyle. Drug and alcohol rehab programs begin working to identify each person's unique drinking triggers and high-risk situations. Counseling and behavioral therapies also work on helping each person develop a strong relapse prevention strategy that reduces the risk of relapsing back into dysfunctional drinking behaviors after leaving rehab.

The key to a successful alcohol addiction recovery is engaging with a range of rehab treatments, therapies and group support sessions. By the time the person leaves rehab, the person should have learned strong new recovery skills and tools for living a clean and sober life over the long term. Call Westchester Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers now for help (877) 804-1531.

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