A person that can be classified as alcoholic can be someone who drinks on a daily basis to maintain a “normal” feeling, or someone who “binges.” A binge-drinker is easily defined as someone who may not drink daily, but when they do drink, they drink large amounts in a short period to become inebriated. Alcoholism in the form of binge-drinking can be very dangerous because the person can cause harm to themselves or others while under the influence.
A warning sign for binging is the following day: the hangover. The nausea, sensitivity to light and all over flu-like symptoms are a sign that the body has worked hard to remove the alcohol and toxins from the body and is trying to get well. Many Americans will experience a hangover in their lifetime. While some find it awful and a deterrent to drinking too much, an alcoholic’s brain will work differently. An alcoholic will reason with the hangover, making it seem like it is not that bad and that the consumption of alcohol is completely worth the ill feelings the next day. A person may even feel compelled to drink alcohol during the hangover/recovery time to get through the sickness faster. These people are in desperate need for a alcohol treatment program.
There are many addiction facts surrounding alcoholism that should not be ignored. Drinking alcohol in large amounts is dangerous. Not only can a person get hurt or hurt someone else, it is damaging body. Your kidneys, heart and liver are greatly injured by heavy drinking. An alcoholic risks many forms of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. If alcohol treatment is started in a timely manner, it is true that the organs may “regenerate” or heal themselves over time with a good diet and healthy lifestyle. Not all drug addictions are as forgiving, but the alcoholic has to act soon.
Alcoholism can cause a person to believe that their addiction makes them more attractive, charming and makes life in general more interesting. They disregard the events where alcohol may have caused a fight, broken belongings or personal injuries. These even include injuries sustained in automobile accidents because of drunk driving. Sometimes these warning signs are not enough to persuade a person that they need professional help.
Vista Taos Renewal Center in Taos, New Mexico bases their therapies on the standard 12-step programs that so many people have turned to when they needed an alcohol treatment center. Studies on addiction facts will back these 12-step inpatient programs. Combining them with complimentary therapies only add to the success factor of the treatment process.
But why do so many people ignore those warning signs of alcoholism? It is something called the Positive Memory Bias. A person can be completely incapacitated, not able to leave the bathroom following a night after drinking, but will not swear away alcohol. The Positive Memory Bias kicks in and will convince a person that what happened during the night of drinking was a great experience. More experiences like it will follow if they continue to consume alcohol. It is hard for a person to fight the bias, it is a disorder; a disease. And like any psychological ailment, it takes time and professional treatment to get better. Alcoholism is no exception.
There are those who binge drink, have a bad experience (fights, DUI arrest…etc) that will experience what is known as Cognitive Dissonance. This is where a person sees the bad experience as something out of the ordinary. Their mind convinces them that it will not become a regular occurrence while consuming alcohol. The brain is a wonderful machine. It has the power to convince a person things they never thought possible. With alcoholism, the brain can turn against you to get what it needs.
Rationalizing alcohol addiction is a bad practice. A big part of alcohol treatment program is retraining your mind and body to function without the need for substance abuse. No matter what situation a person blames their addiction on, the truth is: it is their choice. For more addiction facts on alcoholism, visit www.VistaTaos.com to learn more about specific treatments for alcohol rehabilitation and other substance abuse program options.
