Alcoholism Overview

Alcoholism is defined as a physical dependence upon alcohol, a need that, if not met, will result in serious and often life-threatening withdrawal effects. A serious medical disease, alcoholism does not develop overnight. Rather, the long-term abuse of alcoholic beverages has devastating mental effects and contributes to the deterioration of the body, specifically the heart, liver, brain and glands. Alcoholism affects everyone differently, but no one is immune: there are alcoholics in every class of society, every culture, every ethnicity, every religion. Men, women, teenagers, the elderly, parents, executives-alcoholism does not discriminate.

At The Canyon, we provide a comprehensive drug addiction treatment for those who are physically dependent upon alcohol, specializing in the treatment of co-occurring disorders where alcoholism is compounded by mental and psychological issues concurrently.

Alcohol Abuse Versus Alcohol Addiction

Though the two terms are often used interchangeably, "alcohol abuse" is quite different from "alcohol addiction." The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV describes alcohol abuse as any harmful use of alcohol. The negative effects can be physical, mental, social, financial, legal and interpersonal, and these effects rarely stop someone who abuses alcohol.

These same characteristics describe someone who is addicted to alcohol, or an alcoholic, but the damage goes much further. Their lives begin to revolve around alcohol all the time, often choosing which events they will attend based on whether or not alcohol will be allowed or present. They will insert drinking into every social situation and stop or significantly decrease the amount of time they spend with friends and family members who don't also imbibe. They may drink only one brand or type of alcohol and will experience withdrawal symptoms characterized by physical illness when they go without drinking for any period of time, symptoms that are only relieved by more drinking. Whether or not they admit to their dependence upon alcohol, alcoholics often try to quit from time to time and find it impossible.

At The Canyon, you can find drug rehab intervention assistance and outpatient treatment for alcohol abuse or addiction as well as detoxification services and residential treatment for alcoholism.

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The Effects of Alcoholism

The effects of alcoholism are many and all of them, together or separately, lead to an untimely death. The direct effects of the drug can lead to:

• Cirrhosis of the liver, which leads to liver failure
• High blood pressure, which leads to cardiomyopathy, heart disease, heart failure and stroke
• Damage to the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain and nervous system that leads to mental debilitation and brain damage
• Perforation and inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and digestive system which leads to ulceration; malnutrition, Wernicke's disease and Korsakoff's syndrome; pneumonia, kidney and urinary tract infections, kidney failure, pancreatitis
• Diabetes
• Esophageal, liver, larynx and colon cancers

As serious as the physical effects of alcoholism are, a great many more effects occur outside of the body. Consider the bad decisions made while under the influence of alcohol. These lead to financial and legal issues, problems with interpersonal relationships, lost jobs and status in the community. These bad decisions can lead to more physical problems like sexually transmitted diseases or the use of other drugs, including needles, that can mean Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS and overdose. Without help, the alcoholic can lose everything-home, family, friends-and end up in jail, prison, or out on the street without the self-esteem, motivation or health to change his or her situation.

Alcoholism is devastating. Without treatment, it is a terminal disease. The Canyon can help.

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Alcoholism Treatment at The Canyon

Both the inpatient and outpatient treatment program at The Canyon are highly customizable, created according to your individual experience, needs, and any co-occurring disorders you are currently battling in addition to alcoholism. Teenagers and the elderly, men and women, parents and pregnant women, people of all ethnicities, religions and cultures will find a unique alcohol detox and rehabilitation program at The Canyon, tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains outside of Malibu, California. If you would like more information about alcoholism, check out the other articles in this section or call us today at .

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