Alcohol Abuse

New Jersey Alcoholism Treatment Programs

New Jersey has some of the best alcohol treatment facilities in the United States. Keep reading to learn more about alcoholism, its effects and how you can find the best New Jersey alcoholism treatment programs. For families affected by alcohol dependency, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Even the most difficult alcoholics can become sober and rebuild their lives with the right therapy and support system in-place.

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism (also known as alcohol addiction) is a form of substance abuse. Standard use of alcohol may be considered a drinking disorder once it starts to have a negative impact on the drinker’s life.

Alcoholism is usually characterized by:

• Preoccupation with alcohol consumption
• Lack of motivation in the absence of alcohol
• Loss of control
• Continued consumption of alcohol despite its negative consequences

Alcoholism Statistics in New Jersey

According to a study tagged “Drinking Patterns in U.S. Counties from 2002 to 2012,” the rate of alcohol consumption among New Jersey adults increased by over 9 percent during this time. While alcoholism rates increased by 3.6 percent among males, it increased by about 21 percent for females within the study period.

According to the results obtained by the researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, the increase in binge drinking occurred as the rate of residents of New Jersey that drink alcohol remained stable. The researchers reported a nationwide increase of 5.8 percent in alcohol consumption.

Dangers of Alcoholism

Excessive consumption of alcohol can have a negative impact on your health. Here are some dangers of alcohol addiction:

Heart:

Alcohol abuse can damage the heart due to high blood pressure. If you decide toentere a New Jersey alcoholism treatment program, your blood pressure will gradually go back to normal, thereby preventing your heart from further damage.

Pancreas:

An excessive amount of alcohol in the body weakes the pancreas which is very detrimental to your overall health. Toxins can damane your pancreas and can cause inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels.

Mouth, Esophagus, and Throat:

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, heavy, long-term consumption of alcohol can make you more prone to mouth, esophagus, throat and breast cancer.

Liver:

The liver helps to break down and metabolize alcohol. Heavy, long-term use of alcohol can lead to severe inflammation of the liver. It can also lead to liver scarring (also known as cirrhosis). Liver damage caused by alcohol abuse can be life-threatening.

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal is an uncomfortable experience. This condition happens because excessive consumption of alcohol interferes with the normal function of the brain. This disrupts the neurotransmitters that are responsible for sending messages to the central nervous system. The main neurotransmitter that helps in the production of feelings such as relaxation is GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).

Alcoholism causes GABA imbalance thereby leading to physical and mental withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Headaches
• Heart palpitations
• Seizures
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Sweating
• Fever

These symptoms are the most severe during first few days of alcohol detox, and some milder withdrawal symptoms may reoccur for weeks for many alcoholics.

The most dangerous type of alcohol withdrawal syndrome is referred to as delirium tremens. Listed below are the symptoms of delirum tremens and alcohol withdrawal:

• Extreme confusion
• Extreme agitation
• Fever
• Seizures
• Feelings of Itching, burning or numbness that are not occurring
• Hearing sounds that do not exist
• Seeing images that do not exist

Find a New Jersey Alcoholism Treatment Program

There are different resources that you can take advantage of to take back control of your life. Sobriety is a blessing that will enrich your life with happiness and producitivity. NJ Addiction Resources can help you find the alcoholism treatment program that is ideal for you. Contact us now to get connected to the best alcohol rehab centers in New Jersey and out-of-state.