Alcohol: a dinner party staple, a first-date must-have, a reward at the end of an unbearably long workday. As we adjust our recliners and recharge in front of the television screen, production cameras pan to depictions of the rich and beautiful unwinding with glasses of wine, celebrating the weekend with ice-cold beers, and indulging in the occasional shot of a fine cognac.
While these advertisements initially appear to be harmless, impressional teenagers and young adults consume these messages on a nearly daily basis. Without interruption, high-school and college-aged consumers will fall into the delusion that alcoholic tendencies are glamourous and worthy of praise, rather than sources of intense emotional trauma and financial heartache.
Through this toxic glamorization of alcohol, people of all ages continue to suffer at the hands of untreated alcoholism cases. According to NSDUH data, approximately 5.8% of all American adults 18 and over have an alcohol use disorder. Additionally, 54% percent of all college students are actively drinking on campus, while as many as 30% of high school students are drinking illegally. The toll this is taking on society is just coming into view.
Other issues related to the over-promotion of alcohol include DUI arrests, women being victimized by men when intoxicated, and drunk driving accidents, some of which are life-threatening or potentially terminal. Unfortunately, we can’t afford to turn a blilnd eye to this glamorization of alcoholic behaviors any longer. We must funnel time and resources into rehabilitation centers and destigmatize treatment.
If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol dependencies, rest assured that no matter how bad things get for someone with a drinking problem, there’s a way back to emotional stability. With hard work and commitment, substance-use disorder sufferers can recover from the disease of alcoholism with the help of a team of medical professionals.
For anyone contemplating getting help, remember that the first step in the treatment process is detoxing. Before an addiction sufferer can focus on therapy, they need an opportunity to purify their mind and body of these toxic substances through the detox process. Here are some things you should know before embarking on your alcohol detox journey.
Dangers of alcohol withdrawal
Before familiarizing yourself with the stages of alcohol withdrawal, a much-needed reality check is in order. Depending on the severity of their alcoholism, some problem drinkers might encounter withdrawal symptoms like:
- Breathing problems
- Increase in heart rate and blood pressure
- Delirium tremens (the DTs))
- Hallucinations
- Body convulsions
Looking at these symptoms’ dangerous nature, you can see why medical detox is far safer than home remedies. When within arm’s reach of a team of medical professionals, substance-use disorder sufferers can minimize their risk of succumbing to alcohol-withdrawal-related symptoms.
Commit to the detox process
Sobriety is always within reach for someone who truly wants recovery. Along every step of the treatment process, detox included, you will need to drive yourself past your addiction to succeed. It takes commitment and perseverance, but the final product is well worth the investment.
Be prepared for the next step in the treatment process
Whether it relates to recovering from a street drug addiction or alcoholism, the treatment process is the same. You would need to accept that detox is only the first step. While detoxing, you should be preparing yourself for the rigors of therapy and counseling, as that’s where the real work begins.
Take the opportunity to make changes
As you address your addiction issues, it might be the right time to think about addressing your diet and implementing a good exercise program. As you treat your alcohol dependence, you’ll have plenty of time to focus on improving your overall well being.