August 31, 2015

Toronto Alcohol Rehab

More than 16 million adults—7% of the population—struggle with an addiction to alcohol. Even when researchers don’t take into account the violence and accidents that alcohol so often contributes to, this seemingly innocuous drink claims nearly 30,000 lives each year. If you struggle with an addiction to alcohol, a Toronto alcohol rehab facility can help you get your life back on track.

If you’re in crisis right now, contact SAMHSA’s addiction hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Alcohol: A Dangerous Drug

One of the many challenges alcoholics face is that alcohol is ubiquitous. From social events to religious occasions, at children’s schools, friend’s parties, and in restaurants across the nation, it’s nearly impossible to avoid alcohol. Other addicts can simply avoid people and places that remind them of their addiction. For an alcoholic, such a luxury is impossible. Alcoholism means learning to live with the fact that other people drink.

And the fact that so many other people drink—about 90%, to be exact—leads some alcoholics to believe that alcohol is no more harmful than, say, a glass of soda. But alcohol is a powerfully addictive substance. Its status as a legal drug is a mere accident, and alcohol kills more people than any other drug or class of drugs. Remember, many legal items—guns, cough medication, knives—can kill or maim people in the wrong hands, so alcohol’s legal status does not mean it’s safe.

Indeed, alcohol has had crippling effects on society, which might help explain why the Prohibition movement was initially so popular, especially among families. Some of the many ways alcohol undermines the fabric of society include:

Drunk driving accidents
Alcohol-related abuse and violence. Ninety percent of acquaintance rapes involve alcohol, and alcohol also figures prominently in domestic violence and child abuse incidents.
Family conflict
A clogged judicial system. The average drunk driver drinks and drives about 80 times before his or her first arrest, with 1.5 million people being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol each year.
A massive taxpayer burden; alcohol addiction costs the U.S. economy $224 billion each year.

Do I Need Alcohol Rehab?

There are as many ways to recover from alcohol addiction as there are alcohol addicts. But one thing is for sure: alcohol addiction is a disease. It will not go away on its own, and white knuckling your way to sobriety is a recipe for disaster and relapse. If you have an alcohol addiction problem, you need professional assistance-and the sooner you can get it, the better. If you’re unsure whether you need help for an addiction, ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes to three or more, you’re an addict in need of alcohol rehab:

Do you black out when you drink?
Do you do things you regret, such as speak unkindly to your children or drive, while under the influence of alcohol?
Do you mix alcohol with other drugs, including prescription drugs?
Do you drink every day?
Do you drink to feel normal?
Do you no longer feel drunk when you drink?
Have people you loved encouraged you to stop drinking, or asked you to consider pursuing rehab?
Do you suffer from liver problems, or other alcohol-related health issues?
Do you use alcohol to cope with mental health issues?
Do you find yourself depressed and anxious more than you once did?
Have you been arrested or incarcerated because of alcohol?
Do you lie to others about your use of alcohol, or drink alone?
Has your use of alcohol caused you legal or financial problems?
Have you lost an important relationship because f alcohol?
Do you ignore hobbies you once enjoyed because of alcohol?
Do you structure your day around drinking?
Has your work performance suffered because of alcohol?
Do others seem uncomfortable around you when you drink?

How Alcohol Affects Your Body and Mind

Many alcoholics are endlessly promising to seek treatment tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. If you’re addicted to alcohol, though, tomorrow might never come. Seeking help for your addiction now is the very best way to avoid some of the worst consequences of alcohol abuse. And even if you’ve already suffered serious health issues because of alcohol, treatment can help reverse or mitigate those problems, and prevent them from spiraling out of control. Some of the most common side effects of alcohol abuse include:

Weight gain
Organ failure, particularly of the liver
Cardiovascular problems such as elevated blood pressure or blood clots
Diabetes
Increased risk of cancer
Violent or aggressive behavior
New or worsening mental illness
Brain damage
Brain chemistry changes that can make you depressed or anxious
Insomnia
Changes in appetite
Changes in your skin, nails, and hair
Loss of muscle tone
Chronic muscle pain
Headaches
Chronic gastrointestinal problems, such as unexplained nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Exacerbation of any medical conditions you already had; for instance, people who suffer from fibromyalgia may find that drinking makes their pain even worse.

Treating the Disease of Alcohol Addiction

Though a variety of outpatient programs can help you kick your habit for good, inpatient care remains the gold standard in alcohol addiction treatment? Why? Because alcohol rehab blends several proven treatment options under one roof, offering you 24/7 support and a temptation-free sober living environment. Some of the services you can expect if you choose our Toronto alcohol rehab program include:

Medical assistance to manage the symptoms of detox and withdrawal
Psychological care in the form of group and individual therapy
12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous
Lifestyle skills training so you can master the fine art of sober living

Protecting Your Long-Term Sobriety

Alcoholism is a serious disease, and like other diseases, it’s common for addicts to relapse. Between 40% and 60% of alcoholics eventually give in to temptation and start drinking again. You don’t have to be one of them. By avoiding alcohol forever—not even one drop—you’ll avoid reigniting your addiction. Beware, though: once you’re an addict, you’re an addict for life, and even a single sip of alcohol may be sufficient o get you addicted again. For this reason, avoiding alcoholics, triggering situations, and people who pressure you to drink can help you remain sober for a lifetime.

Contact Addiction Rehab Centres Canada today!

Further Reading:

Alcohol Rehab Program
Alcohol Detox Explained
Am I an Alcoholic?
Benefits of Choosing a Holistic Alcohol Treatment Center
Addiction to Alcohol Explained
Tips For Choosing an Alcohol Addiction Treatment Facility