Counseling for Alcoholism in Beverly Hills, MI – Therapists
Does this sound familiar? You have had several beers, but you tell yourself that you are fine. It’s probably time to stop, leave the bar, and get some shut-eye before work tomorrow. But you do not. Your favorite song just came on, so you are going to sit here and enjoy another cold one. Life is stressful, and you tell yourself it is ok to relax. No big deal. Right? Maybe. Maybe not. Alcoholism is a devastating mental health illness, but it is often hard to know how much is too much.
Whether they are managing an addiction to alcohol or a few unhealthy alcohol habits, many people who struggle with their alcohol consumption have found a counselor’s guidance invaluable.
Thriveworks Beverly Hills, MI offers treatment that can help you assess how you use alcohol and treat any unhealthy abuses or dependencies.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a disease that disrupts the brain’s chemical balance. When people develop alcoholism, their brain changes and begins to crave the dopamine that is released during alcohol consumption. People experience an increase of dopamine as pleasurable or gratifying. At the same time, the chemical that controls impulsiveness is reduced.
This imbalance in the brain can manifest as loss of control. Alcoholism is characterized by compulsive drinking, negative emotions while not drinking, and difficulty controlling alcoholic intake.
Signs of Alcoholism
One of the most difficult steps toward healing for anyone who struggles with alcoholism is breaking out of denial. It is easy for anyone to minimize their problems, and alcoholics are the same. However, alcoholism is a serious disease, and left untreated, it can cause even more harm.
For many people, the first step in treatment is acknowledging the problem. If you or a loved one is experiencing some of these behaviors with regard to drinking alcohol, it may be time to seek a professional’s help.
- Drinking while alone or in secret
- Developing a habit or ritual around the alcohol consumption
- Expressing annoyance or anger if the ritual is disturbed and the alcohol consumption is delayed
- Prioritizing alcohol above other things, including but not limited to family, work, hobbies, and friends
- A strong urge to drink
- Having to drink more alcohol to receive the same effects
- Experiencing relational, legal, money, or work problems because of alcohol consumption
- Trying to quit or drink less but being unable to stop
Nausea, sweating, or shaking when trying to stop drinking
Health Challenges Associated with Alcoholism
One significant effect of alcoholism is the harm it can cause to a person’s health. Unfortunately, alcoholism is associated with a host of health problems, including …
- Liver disease
- Digestive problems
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Birth defects
- Diabetes complications
- Eye problems
- Bone damage
Help for Alcoholism
Alcohol dependence is a terrible disease, but there is a lot of hope that people who struggle against it can receive the treatment they need. There is no single path toward recovery or formula for maintaining sobriety, but there are many treatment options available. With a professional’s guidance, many people have found a treatment plan that works for them.
The struggles that have led to alcohol addiction and the circumstances of the dependence vary from person to person, and so will treatment. If you are ready to work for sobriety in your life and treat your alcoholism, then seeing a professional may expedite your recovery. A counselor or therapist may be able to identify the most helpful treatments for you and which path is the right path for you.
Generally speaking, treating alcoholism may include psychological, psychosocial, or pharmacological elements.
Psychological Treatment: Through cognitive behavior therapy, many alcoholics have treated the underlying roots of their addiction, coming to understand why they turn to alcohol, learning new ways to cope without alcohol, and treating any accompanying mental health problems that have resulted from the alcoholism.
Psychosocial Treatment: Many people who have struggled with alcohol addiction found the help they needed through support groups or group therapy. A trained counselor may lead these groups.
Pharmacological Treatment: Some people benefit from medications as they achieve and maintain sobriety. A qualified therapist or medical doctor should supervise any pharmacological treatment.
Scheduling Treatment at Thriveworks Beverly Hills, MI
Did you resonate with some of the symptoms of alcoholism? Have you noticed that you are drinking more and able to control yourself less? Maybe you are not sure whether you are alcohol dependent or not, but either way, you would like to talk to someone who is supportive and can give you guidance.
The therapists who treat alcoholism at Thriveworks Beverly Hills get it and have the tools to help. We are ready to offer personalized care.
When you call our office, here are a few things that might be helpful to know:
- A person will answer your call.
- We often schedule first-time clients for next day appointments.
- You will never be put on a waitlist.
- We work with many insurance companies.
Alcohol addiction can be devastating. Many people get their lives back with professional treatment. Are you ready to acknowledge the illness and get the treatment you need? If you are ready, so are we. Let’s get started. Call today, and a Thriveworks Beverly Hills, MI therapist may be able to see you tomorrow.
