Alcohol addiction can be overwhelming. People from all walks of life across the United States struggle with alcohol abuse every day. While alcohol seems benign because it’s legal, it can be just as addictive as illicit drugs. In addition, because alcohol is easy to get, many people today self-medicate and self-soothe. These habits can quickly lead to dependency. For those struggling with alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction treatment can help.
If you or someone you love is self-medicating with alcohol, call Baltimore Detox Center today. Alcohol detox at home can be dangerous and life-threatening, especially without support from another person. Call us now at [Direct] to enroll in our alcohol addiction treatment programs.
What Is Self-Medicating?
Self-medicating happens when a person consumes substances for their soothing effects. Self-medicating is a common behavior and attempts to self-regulate various kinds of stress. Because alcohol is a depressant, it can help people disengage with daily stress. Many people self-medicate with alcohol without realizing it. Drinks after work with colleagues or a beer at the end of the day is a type of self-soothing. Social drinking can self-soothe social anxiety and other emotions that a person may be experiencing. When a person self-medicates and feels they need alcohol to get through the day, they have developed a dependency.
Some people experience blackouts while drinking. For many, blackouts allow them to disconnect from their lives. Many people may self-medicate with alcohol to treat undiagnosed depression and other mood disorders. Self-medicating with alcohol, food, and other substances lessens physical, emotional, and psychological pain. While self-medicating with alcohol may initially seem helpful, it can be harmful and deadly.
Self-Medicating Becomes Alcohol Dependency
Alcohol addiction can happen gradually. At first, self-medicating may help people through life stressors, but the body becomes dependent on alcohol over time. As a person builds a tolerance, they need more and more alcohol to achieve the same numbing effects. Withdrawal symptoms are a top sign that casual drinking has turned to dependency. Withdrawal occurs when the body craves more alcohol. These symptoms include:
- Mood swings
- Tremors
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Alcohol cravings
- Diarrhea
- Confusion
- Hopelessness
- Anxiety
- Memory loss
When the body craves alcohol, withdrawal symptoms can be scary to experience or watch. For those who try to quit alcohol cold-turkey, withdrawal often leads to relapse, overdose, and even death. It’s safest to detox from alcohol in an alcohol addiction treatment program.
Why Should You Consider Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs?
When a person self-medicates with alcohol, they are often in need of physical, emotional, and psychiatric support. An addiction treatment program can help people safely detox from alcohol and will professionally prescribe medications people may need for co-occurring disorders. Therapists in treatment programs can help clients address life stressors, nutritional needs, and addiction triggers. For those who self-medicate, it’s important to uncover what they are mitigating with alcohol.
Many alcohol treatment programs use medication to make withdrawal easier. They help clients restore their diets and administer IV fluids to restore hydration. Alcohol addiction treatment programs can help people find the support they need without self-medication.
Overcome Alcohol Abuse with Baltimore Detox Center
Many people are afraid to seek treatment for alcohol abuse. Because alcohol abuse is so common, dependency may not seem life-threatening. In truth, alcohol addiction can lead to liver failure, alcohol poisoning, and other drug use. Furthermore, it can destroy relationships without treatment. If you or someone in your life is self-medicating with alcohol, do not try to quit at home. Call Baltimore Detox Center today for support. Our Maryland clinic was one of the first free-standing detox centers in the city. We treat addiction and co-occurring disorders to help you get your life on track. Don’t let alcohol ruin your life. Call us today at [Direct] to learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment programs.
