Alcohol Addiction in The Woodlands, TX

If you have harbored secret concerns for a while about your relationship to alcohol, you should take those concerns seriously. If you continue to drink even when you are aware of the problems that your alcohol habit causes, or if you feel that you need to drink just to get through each day, it could help if you called us for information on how to treat your alcohol addiction in The Woodlands. An unhealthy habit can quickly get out of hand; alcohol addicts can lose their jobs, their relationships and even their freedom.

Our addiction professionals can help you by answering your questions about alcohol abuse and dependence, testing you to determine how close you are to a dangerous alcohol habit, and helping you build an escape plan that works for you. On the way, you'll learn a lot about what exactly alcohol and alcohol addiction are, as well.

Here's a quick test that you can use to check for addiction. If more than two of the following happen to you in a year, it could be safe to assume that you have an alcohol problem.

• You never seem to be able to control or limit how much you drink, and have repeatedly failed to stop drinking after trying.
• A lot of your time seems to go by either drinking or recovering from the effects.
• You've got into trouble at work, at home or with the law as a result of your drinking, but you still can't stop.
• When you don't drink, you don't feel particularly healthy.
• You've been changing your drinking style switching from one beverage to another, in the hopes of gaining some control.
• You've thought of switching to different stores to buy liquor to escape the disapproving looks of the store clerk.
• If someone were to invite you to a fun weekend away, you would refuse because you couldn't live without alcohol.

In general, if you routinely have more than four drinks in one session or more than 14 drinks in a week, you probably have an addiction.

Diagnosing Alcohol Abuse and Addiction

When we have a patient first arrive at our center for alcohol addiction in The Woodlands, we start out with tests to determine if there is an addiction. Physical and mental health exams, and tests of the vital organs can help in a diagnosis.

For a person whose alcohol habit is no more serious than abuse, a few sessions with a therapist or counselor may be all it takes to gain the upper hand. Most normal people have the personal confidence, strength, motivation and determination that they need to be able to get a handle on their problems.

If you are addicted, it is a challenge that no amount of personal determination can overcome. When a doctor or rehab professional determines that you have addiction, it means that your brain has been exposed to alcohol in such great quantities and in such frequency that it has changed physically and psychologically. Addiction is a mental disorder brought about by such change. The only way to address the addiction disorder is to accept alcohol treatment programs in The Woodlands.

How is Alcohol Addiction Treated at Rehab?

Depending on the individual, alcohol addiction consists of two or three separate disorders. An addict can only be free of addiction to alcohol when each disorder is dealt with.

Physical addiction: With excessive exposure to alcohol, the brain grows dependent on the substance to even function. Any attempts to stop an alcohol habit can cause the brain to react with withdrawal symptoms. These are extremely painful, harmful and even lethal effects. Cure from physical addiction to alcohol needs to be done under medical supervision in a process called medical detox. Our medical detox in The Woodlands treats each dangerous symptom with medications over several days to ensure patient comfort and safety.

Psychological addiction: Excessive exposure to alcohol can result in having core areas of the brain learning a permanent emotional and psychological attachment to alcohol. There is no cure for psychological addiction. Addiction of this type manifests as instinctive and compulsive behavior. Relapse prevention therapy is the only way to address psychological addiction. It can take months or even years of psychological therapy to help patients learn the techniques necessary to avoid or resist these instincts.

Psychiatric disorder: In 50% of cases of alcohol addiction, the addict suffers from serious psychiatric disorders that drive them to alcohol abuse. When a psychiatric condition is found to be at the core of an addiction condition (a dual diagnosis), long-term sobriety is only possible when psychiatric treatment is offered as part of alcohol rehab.

Finding Care

A quality alcohol rehab center can be hard to find. Most centers simply offer partial treatment or treatment that isn't in keeping with modern scientific principles. You can safely make the right choice, however, when you are equipped with some knowledge and experience. We recommend that you read and learn as much as you can about alcohol addiction before you decide. When you're ready to find a rehab, we would like it if you would call our center for alcohol addiction in The Woodlands (877) 804-1531.