What is Alcohol Dependence?

Alcohol dependence is a substance disorder that's most notably characterized by a physical and mental addiction to alcohol.  To be considered clinically dependent to alcohol, an individual must demonstrate at least three behaviors out of the six following criteria:

?  A clear tolerance to alcohol - requires greater quantities to achieve same effects

?  Intake sustained for long periods of time

?  Continued use despite negative consequences or harm to one's self

?  Functional impairments, such as neglecting family, social, financial and work-related responsibilities.

?  Excessive time spent on acquiring alcohol or recovering from its side effects

?  Displaying withdrawal symptoms if deprived of alcohol

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome is defined by a series of particular symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal.  Symptoms can range from the relatively mild, like sleep problems and acute anxiety, to major health risks that include delirium, visual hallucinations or convulsions.  The intensity of symptoms are often determined the amount of consumption and the period of time spent being addicted to alcohol, age and genetic factors. Individuals with alcohol withdrawal require medical detoxification as the first step of their recovery.

Alcohol dependence is a medically defined disorder that is considered chronic and marked by repeated relapses post recovery and a chronic progression of the disorder.  Some consider this progression to be the hallmark of a chronic medical illness and hence view alcoholism as a chronic medical condition.  Alcohol is actually toxic to most bodily organs, and long periods of heavy intake is linked to obesity, increased risk to injury, a compromised immune system, liver disease, heart disease, an increased risk of stroke, psychiatric and social problems and major risks for certain cancers.  Alcohol dependency has been shown to reduce an individual's life expectancy and pose a heightened risk for car accidents and other injuries.

It's estimated that children from alcohol dependent families are four times for likely to develop a problem with alcohol. Family and heredity factors include both genetic and environment aspects, where excessive alcohol consumption is considered “normal”.  Social and cultural factors may also influence alcohol abuse and dependence.  Stress has been shown to increase alcohol consumption among certain individuals and those with mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are also at risk for increased alcohol abuse.

Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs.  The foundations of our treatment program for alcohol abuse and dependence also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment.  In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Treatment for substance abuse can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.