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Alcohol addiction is the most common addiction in the world. The use is accepted among many cultures and is often incorporated into religious and spiritual ceremonies. Age restrictions on this intoxicating and addictive substance around the world fluctuate and are often even a subject of debate. It is legally sold in most regions in the United States.
While enjoying a drink now and then is not necessarily considered an indiscretion, many face difficulties doing so responsibly. Some people have a predisposition to alcoholism, and some develop dependency over time. Unfortunately, no matter what the cause, drug and alcohol addiction is a continuing epidemic within the world of addiction treatment communities.
Alcohol Addiction Can Affect Anyone
Just as alcohol is welcomed within a wide variety of social gatherings, addiction also affects various people. Substance use disorders are impartial to age, gender, race, or even socioeconomic status. The difference, however, is how each demographic manages to toil with getting drug addiction treatment.
Even gender stereotypes likely influence the number of reluctant people to reach out for help. Studies show that men are more likely to ask for help when facing substance use disorders; women struggling with addiction may be more hesitant. This prompted researchers to look a bit deeper into why many women were reluctant to seek a women’s alcohol addiction treatment center. The findings reflected the correlations between shame, denial, and fear of the developed disease, more so than in men.
Gender Roles Affect Expectations
When discussing associations made toward treatment, it became clear that gender roles and expectations had the greatest impact. Historically, women are understood to be the primary caretakers of their children. Because of this, the fear of having custody taken away obstructs the need to come forward. As the world is quickly evolving, the added pressures contribute to developing substance dependency as well.
The drive to achieve financial independence and success only adds more pressure on women around the country. Stress is the number one influence that leads to developing an addiction, such as alcoholism. Due to the growing demand, contemporary substance abuse treatment centers in California have developed treatment programs just for women suffering from alcohol addiction. This form of gender-specific treatment has shown to be effective.
Are Women More Susceptible to Alcoholism?
An interesting fact, men have a higher tolerance for alcoholic beverages. This does not make them exempt from developing an addiction, although, if keeping score, women tend to be more susceptible. Drug addiction in general impacts women differently from men.
The male body naturally produces more of the enzyme ADH. ADH breaks down alcohol and is found in the stomach and liver. This naturally occurring enzyme difference, matched with the average size differences between the biological sexes, is responsible for the disparity. Women, biologically at a disadvantage when it comes to using alcohol, can become more easily affected than their counterparts.
What Percentage of Alcoholics Are Female?
- Studies show men are about twice as likely to binge drink compared to women.
- The CDC study also found that 58% of men reported drinking in the past 30 days compared to 47% of women.
- In terms of binge drinking, 13% of women reported binge drinking four times per month, consuming five or more drinks per binge.
Alcoholism is a Family Disease
Drug and alcohol addiction is considered a family disease. On so many levels, the family struggles just as much as the addict. It’s hard to helplessly stand by as the alcoholic you love slowly loses control.
Consequently, many other areas of the family dynamic are impacted as well. This can also contribute to wanting to keep addiction issues private, reinforcing the reluctance to seek out a treatment center.
The physical and emotional damage being done by the urges to engage in alcoholism can be quite time-consuming. Then, there is the extra time spent trying to cover it up, not to mention the money wasted on supporting the habit. Together, these sacrifice valuable moments away from those that love and need you most.
Identifying Alcoholism Isn’t Always Easy
Each suffering from a substance use disorder will inevitably experience some life-changing event, caused by their addiction. However, it is not as simple as answering a yes or no question to make that determination. This is because every person is unique, and every addiction is a personal one. From how addiction is developed, to the type of substance abuse, no two alcoholics are exactly alike.
However, because the disease of alcohol addiction has been classified and vehemently studied, there are some common warning signs. Some alcoholics show major distress signals, while others, typically more experienced, are more subtle. On that note, age and maturity can impact how warning signs differ.
The normalization of drinking raises the difficulty of determining whether someone requires treatment for an alcohol use disorder (AUD). A person aged 16-25 will be different from someone in their 50’s and 60’s, even if both consume alcohol often and in excess. Addiction treatment must approach rehab and recovery very differently, as well.
Alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers that have options for youth or mature adult programs for women are often the most successful. They are better able to incorporate more relevant therapy or medication-assisted treatment, reducing age-related risks of withdrawal. Age-related treatment allows for healing among peer groups, providing a higher level of comfort and support.
How Can I Tell If I’m an Alcoholic?
One of the first signs that dependency has developed is being aware of the intensity of withdrawal. To ensure the best possible outcome, an alcoholic may need the assistance of an addiction specialist or a trained medical professional.
By showing or feeling one or more of the warning signs, you could conclude this. Be aware that you may need treatment if:
- Drinking is a primary focus throughout each day
- You have difficulty focusing unless it includes alcohol
- You’re struggling to be mentally and emotionally present during sentimental events or occasions
- You experience severe withdrawal symptoms when you aren’t drinking
- Interrupting thoughts about the next opportunity to drink occur
- You are unable to cut back despite efforts and desires
- You have overwhelming cravings that only subside once obtained
- You’re being secretive about drinking, whether in amount or occasion, around others
- You become defensive if someone asks you about having a drink or about your addiction
- Often, you find yourself needing to drink more to feel the effects
- Maintaining obligations (i.e. family, work, or education) is challenging due to alcohol use
- You’re experiencing noticeable changes in behavior brought upon by cravings and misuse of alcohol
Each one of these behaviors indicates having an AUD. Whether an alcohol use disorder has been an ongoing or newly developed habit will continue to evolve. Take measures to receive treatment, before it takes what’s left of life’s enjoyable moments.
Withdrawal and Alcohol Addiction Treatment
One of the most difficult experiences of getting substance abuse treatment is going through withdrawal. It takes time to build up a dependency on a substance. Therefore, it will also take time to reset the body’s functions. Alcohol detox is one of the most dangerous processes to undergo. Typically, this can begin anywhere between a few hours to a few days after the last drink. Fortunately, addiction treatment programs like NDFW offer a safe and reliable recovery process.
Some of the major side effects of this process can be extremely uncomfortable and even life-threatening. You may experience sensations such as:
- Seizures
- Increased anxiety
- Cardiac irregularity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors and shaking
- pain in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।" data-rx-term="headache" data-rx-definition="Headache means pain in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।">Headache and migraines
- Hallucinations or disorientation
- Depressed mood and mood swings
- Respiratory dysfunction or chest pain
While you may not exhibit all of these symptoms of withdrawal, these are likely risks associated. Often, to detox, lifesaving measures may need to be taken. It can also be scary and uncomfortable for those around you that do not understand what you are going through. During detox, the treatment program will see that your safety is maintained during these uncomfortable times.
Reinforcing Sober Behaviors After Addiction Treatment in California
It may take some longer than others to adjust after detox and rehab. Keep in mind that there is no miracle cure for addiction. As the days, months and weeks go by, temptations and triggers will always be threats to overcome.
Intensive sober living is an option to consider that provides alcoholic support in an environment free of substances altogether. This California program is a beneficial way to reinforce healthy life lessons while solidifying new sober behaviors.
Intensive sober living combines a sober location to call home and supports time away to stay connected to important friends and family. Similar to residential treatment, which takes place after detox, individual/group therapy and support groups are more frequent and available within this residential community, as well as sober peer support.
Relapse Prevention After Treatment
Relapse is never something to write off completely. Yet, at the beginning of your rehab and recovery journey, it will most likely be the most difficult. The best action you can take for yourself and those you love is to practice sober behaviors until they become habits. Intensive sober living adds to this by restricting substances from the premises, therefore removing immediate temptation. Now, with more time to focus on the sober road ahead, the future begins to look much healthier and brighter without substance abuse.
What Is Considered the Most Effective Treatment for AUD?
While intensive sober living and residential treatment are beneficial treatment programs for drug and alcohol addiction, they may not be suited for everyone. Many women that seek help are unable to be absent from the household. An Intensive outpatient program can help women stay present in the household. Both inpatient and outpatient rehabs in California can help people recover from alcohol and drug addiction.
This type of addiction treatment allows those with children, careers, or work obligations to spend more time away. Whether this type of drug rehab center will be best for each woman depends on the severity of their addiction needs. It is also useful to incorporate this route of care after a short stay in-house.
The treatment process requires focus, attention, and the determination to turn away from triggers to be successful. The same is true for women’s health services, such as partial day treatment options. Apart from being able to return home, they encompass the same beneficial addiction care offered to residents. However, it does not lack the need for willpower to avoid relapse when exposed to triggers and stress at home.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment
Addiction is a disease, a chronic one at that – it can affect both a person’s mental health and physical body. Few alcoholics, if any, ever drank to be chemically dependent, or to alter their brain chemicals permanently. Once the brain begins recognizing alcohol as part of feeling “normal,” drinking is no longer a casual choice. It will have started to have physical effects and influence behaviors. Their mental health also takes a steep decline.
Just like additional types of diseases, it has impacted brain chemicals and function and lessened the quality of life. Now, this substance use has developed into a disorder that needs treatment. Mental health illnesses, such as addiction, are diagnosed by how severely a person is affected, in terms of altered:
- Pleasure, due to changes in the reward center of the brain
- Mood or frequency of mood swings
- Thought process effectiveness
- Motivation, or lack thereof
- Impulses
When diagnosing and treating AUD, it is essential to observe any other underlying issues that may also exist for a person’s mental health. For example, a person that suffers from addiction may also be suffering from depression or anxiety simultaneously. When two or more mental health or behavioral disorders coexist, this is referred to as co-occurring disorders. A rehab program will need to target all issues independently, and as they relate to each other to provide an effective recovery.
Drug Rehab Services in Los Angeles, CA
Drug rehab centers typically offer a variety of different treatment options such as an intensive outpatient program, outpatient treatment, residential treatment, and more specialized treatment for dual diagnosis disorders. Drug rehab for women may include:
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient treatment
- Therapy (Individual, group, holistic, experiential therapy, and support treatment services)
- Other recovery services for long-term sobriety (aftercare, sober living)
Sometimes, a mental illness may have driven a person to drink excessively. Other times, it is the opposite way around. Or even, have nothing to do with one another as far as development. Co-occurring mental disorders often require a specific rehab program. Rehab centers in Los Angeles and California like New Directions for Women offer specialized dual diagnosis treatment.
Becoming Pregnant While Addicted to Alcohol
Let’s face it: Pregnancy is enough to think about all of its own. For that matter, so is untreated alcoholism. Women who are struggling with substance abuse and who find out they’re pregnant often need immediate help from a treatment center. While complications during pregnancy can happen naturally, through no fault, when alcohol is consumed, the risk multiplies tremendously.
What Does Alcohol Do to a Woman’s Body?
Apart from the mental health issues that come about, alcohol also impacts a person’s body. Alcohol can be transferred in utero using the umbilical cord. So any amount of alcohol consumed by the mother at any time during her pregnancy can have dangerous, if not deadly, outcomes for both mother and child. Getting alcohol use treatment designed for pregnant women is crucial to evade birth defects, miscarriage, or stillborn risk.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD, is known to be related to AUD during pregnancy. It can cause a wide array of permanent damage to the unborn child. Some of the characteristics of FASD include:
- Impeded growth, such as small head size, stunted height growth, and lower body weight
- Problematic or abnormal facial development, such as improperly formed philtrum
- Behavioral disorders such as difficulty holding attention, coordination, or memory
- Organ damage to the kidneys, liver, or heart
- Delayed or impaired speech development
- An array of learning disabilities or low IQ
- Stillbirth, miscarriage, or premature birth
- Loss of hearing or vision
- Sleep disturbances
- Poor bone growth
Alternative and Holistic Treatment for Women
To complete rehab and achieve a long-lasting, meaningful recovery, it is important to address all aspects of health, including mental health support and physical wellbeing. Utilizing holistic programs can encourage a well-rounded and fulfilling journey of sobriety.
A person’s well-being is based on the highest level of health regarding the mind, body, and soul. This includes ensuring that the family of an alcoholic is also in a position of safety and gratification. Substance abuse treatment does not just stop at managing addiction; it’s designed to give you your life back and ensure positive mental health. A quality intensive outpatient program includes this level of treatment and much more.
