What Is An Alcohol Addiction? – Therapists and Counselors in Littleton
Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States and there are an estimated 12 million alcohol addicts. Alcohol addiction is driven by a mental compulsion to consume alcohol and a physical dependency upon it. There is, however, a distinction between alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse – the distinction revolves around the concept of choice. An alcohol abuser will make a choice to consume alcohol – an addict, on the other hand, is compelled to consume it. This compulsion – combined with a dependency that will cause withdrawal symptoms if consumption stops – is the key differentiator.
Health Consequences.
Cirrhosis of the liver, heart and cardiovascular disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s – all of these serious conditions occur far more frequently in those addicted to alcohol. The impact of these conditions can clearly be seen in the life expectancy of addicts which is 10-12 years less than the national average. Experts confirm that alcohol addiction is one of the leading causes of lifestyle-related deaths and is linked to 90,000 deaths per year in the US.
Achieving Sobriety Through Counseling Therapy.
For an alcohol addict, the road to sustained sobriety is a long and hard one. He or she will have to go through a process of detoxification and rehabilitation before achieving and maintaining sobriety. There are many different approaches to the recovery process and a wide range of different options available to the addict. It is not important which one you choose, it is just important that the professional medical treatment takes place.
Professional counselors at Thriveworks Littleton provide a bespoke service using counseling methods proven to help addicts throughout the recovery process. Asking for help is the first step on your road to recovery, so please, give us a call and arrange your first session so we can help you achieve your goal of sobriety.
