Are There Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Programs in Florida?

Addiction

Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused and available substances in the world – in fact, 86% of people above the age of 18 have had alcohol at least once in their lifetime, and 26% of those over 18 report binge drinking at least once every month.

Did you know that 14.5 million people in the United States are living with an alcohol use disorder? Unfortunately, only about 10% of those people will find the treatment they deserve, and even those that do find treatment aren’t guaranteed a successful recovery – it’s a harsh reality.

The good news is that there are outpatient alcohol treatment programs in Florida for those that need help overcoming their alcohol addiction. And if you’re looking for trusted, proven, and quality alcohol outpatient treatment, then look no further than Prevail Recovery Center for addiction treatment in Florida!

Is Alcohol Addictive?

Although most people are reluctant to admit it, alcohol can be extremely addictive when abused or misused. The more someone drinks it, the more their body grows accustomed to it. After a certain point, the body acts like it needs alcohol to survive, often resulting in danger or self-harm.

Alcohol addiction is generally described as a recurring cycle that consists of three stages – let’s take a closer look:

Binge Stage – the individual basks in the euphoria that comes with alcohol use, often using it as a way of escaping their personal troubles or concerns. Since it makes them feel good, they continue to drink until they can’t.
Withdrawal Stage – eventually, the person stops drinking alcohol. When this happens, the body enters withdrawal as it encourages further alcohol use. Without alcohol, the mind and body feel empty, making it hard to focus.
Anticipation Stage – in an attempt to cope with the withdrawal symptoms, the individual begins their search for more alcohol. During this stage, the individual is no longer drinking for fun, but rather to escape withdrawal.

Growing victim to the cycle of alcohol addiction can be scary for anyone, as well as their loved ones, but outpatient treatment for alcohol addiction can help them break free of the cycle and gain a sense of control in their life that they haven’t felt in ages – it’s liberating, to say the least.

How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain?

Alcohol impacts the brain in similar ways as other drugs and harmful substances. Once it enters the body, it influences the production, release, and synthesis of certain neurotransmitters that play a role in reward, happiness, and well-being – more specifically, the chemical dopamine.

This dopamine rush reinforces alcohol use, with people associating that good feeling with drinking alcohol. Although alcohol use might start recreationally, the sudden urges and cravings often lead to misuse – which almost always leads to abuse and eventually addiction.

What are the Signs of Alcohol Abuse?

Since many people try to hide their alcohol abuse from those that love and care about them, it’s very important for friends and family members to understand the signs of alcohol abuse. If you can catch the symptoms early on, then you can refer them to outpatient alcohol counseling.

Let’s first take a look at some of the immediate physical and psychological signs of alcohol abuse:

Blacking out, poor memory
Slow reaction time and reflexes
Difficulty walking or talking properly
Impaired judgment and increase in risk-taking

Over time, the individual will start to experience other changes (behavioral, habitual, etc.) that may indicate alcohol abuse, including:

Constantly smelling like alcohol (breath, clothes, etc.)
Getting into legal trouble often
Showing up to casual events drunk
Getting extremely defensive when confronted about alcohol use
Sudden financial problems or unexplained debt
Stealing or asking for alcohol or money to buy alcohol

Being addicted to alcohol will negatively affect nearly every aspect of your life – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, socially, and behaviorally. The sooner you seek outpatient treatment for alcohol abuse, the sooner you can start to get your life back the right way!