According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 1805% of adults in Pennsylvania binge drink at least one time per month. On average, 5,703 annual deaths in Pennsylvania can be attributed to excessive alcohol use.
The use and abuse of this substance has certainly found its way into the lives of many families in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, it has even claimed lives. But, thankfully, there is hope for those struggling with alcohol abuse in this state. MPower Wellness offers alcohol rehab in Philadelphia. Our Philadelphia drug rehab center can help people end substance abuse, once and for all.
What is Alcoholism?
An alcohol use disorder (AUD) may be referred to as “alcohol addiction,” “alcoholism,” or “alcohol abuse.” Alcoholism is a substance use disorder characterized by a psychological and/or physiological dependence on alcohol. It is a medical condition that impacts people’s ability to stop or control their use of alcohol. Regardless of the negative effects and consequences of their alcohol consumption, people who suffer from alcoholism cannot stop using alcohol.
Individuals may develop an alcohol use disorder after using alcohol frequently and in large quantities. While alcohol is a legal and socially acceptable substance, many people find themselves abusing it. Individuals may use alcohol in order to cope with stress, anxiety, fear, or any other mental or physical type of discomfort. Some people may drink casually on weekends or at parties and gatherings. But, in countless cases, this type of alcohol use leads to alcohol abuse.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
The signs and symptoms of alcoholism may not always be easy to detect. On the other hand, some of the symptoms of AUD are quite simple to identify. In any case, it is important to be aware of the possible signs of alcoholism in your life or in the life of someone you love.
The following behaviors could indicate that a person is suffering from alcohol use disorder:
- Drinking despite consequences
- Inability to control how much one drinks in a sitting
- Inability to stop drinking despite the desire to do so
- Engaging in risky, unsafe activities after or while drinking (i.e., driving, operating machinery, unprotected sex, etc.)
- Emotional withdrawal from friends and family members
- Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities
- Desire to drink first thing in the morning
- Constant thoughts of alcohol use
- Increased secrecy
- Drinking alone
Physical symptoms of alcohol misuse might include the following:
- Blackouts
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Impaired memory
- Lack of coordination
- Difficulty walking properly
- Increased tolerance for alcohol
Individuals who suffer from alcohol use disorder may also struggle to perform well at work or school. People who struggle with addiction may also have difficulty practicing good hygiene. Alcoholism can cause people to appear disheveled or unkempt.
If you notice any of these signs in your life or in the life of someone you know, it is important to get help right away. Seeking professional help for substance abuse can make all the difference.
How Alcohol Use Disorder Affects Your Health
Alcohol use disorder can have serious long-term effects on a person’s physical and emotional health. Alcoholism can lead to severe issues such as:
- Stroke
- Liver damage
- Breast cancer
- Throat cancer
- Memory problems
- Digestive problems
- High blood pressure
- Weakened immune system
- Mental health issues
- Heart disease
Alcohol poisoning can occur as a result of long-term alcohol abuse. Alcoholism can also eventually lead to domestic violence and other serious issues. Individuals who suffer from alcoholism may eventually develop sexually transmitted diseases due to the unsafe activities they performed while under the influence of alcohol.
Pregnant women who suffer from alcohol addiction may find that this substance use disorder affects their unborn children. Alcoholism during pregnancy can lead to miscarriages, stillbirth, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Alcohol Withdrawal: Signs, Symptoms, and Dangers
When withdrawing from alcohol, it is extremely vital to receive professional help. Some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be quite severe and even life-altering without medical aid.
Initial alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Excessive sweating
- Changes in blood pressure
- Headache
- Shakiness
After a day or two, individuals in alcohol withdrawal may experience the following symptoms:
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Rapid breathing
- Heart palpitations
- Delirium tremens
- Agitation
- Fever
In any stage of alcohol withdrawal, the symptoms can be incredibly uncomfortable. For many people in the beginning stages of withdrawal, the symptoms can lead to relapse. This is why it is best to go through withdrawal under the supervision of addiction treatment professionals.
Co-Occurring Disorders: Alcohol and Mental Health Disorders
Many people who suffer from addiction also have co-occurring mental health disorders. It is not uncommon for individuals to have anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, OCD, and other mental health challenges in addition to substance use disorder. When a person has co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, this is known as a dual diagnosis.
A dual diagnosis that involves alcoholism can develop in multiple ways. Sometimes, people may drink excessively to cope with the symptoms of their mental health challenges. They may abuse alcohol in an attempt to escape from the effects of anxiety or depression. As a result, they may develop an AUD as a result of their self-medicating method.
In other cases, people may develop symptoms of mental health disorders due to their excessive alcohol consumption. Increased alcohol use can cause symptoms of depression or anxiety to occur.
Regardless of the order of development, however, co-occurring disorders should be treated properly. Dual diagnosis treatment can help people move past addiction and manage their mental health symptoms without using alcohol or illicit drugs.
Treatment for Alcoholism
Those searching for alcohol rehab in Philadelphia can receive treatment here at MPower Wellness of Exton. We offer outpatient treatment, therapeutic services, aftercare, and more. Our programs for drug rehab in Philadelphia are
Our outpatient rehab in Philadelphia provides addiction treatment on an outpatient basis. Individuals who enter this program can receive treatment while living at home or in a sober living facility. While in our outpatient program, individuals can partake in group therapy, individual counseling, and other treatment modalities to learn more about their addiction and how to overcome it.
Our partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are types of outpatient care. They do not require individuals to live at our facility. However, they still provide intensive care to those who are working to end addiction.
Outpatient addiction treatment can be beneficial for several reasons. For one, this type of treatment can be flexible. This gives space for people to work around their personal schedules while still getting treatment.
Additionally, outpatient treatment for addiction offers privacy that doesn’t always accompany residential treatment. Individuals in outpatient programs can continue to work, attend school, and live at home while getting treatment.
One of the most important components of treatment for addiction is therapy. Substance abuse therapy provides recovering individuals with the tools they need to overcome addiction. There are various types of therapy for substance abuse, including:
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Psycho-education groups
- 12-step facilitation therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Couples therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Family therapy
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
During therapy, individuals can discover the causes of addiction in their lives. They can develop the skills they need to address triggers and challenges as they recover from addiction. Therapy can also help people develop interpersonal skills and learn how to make amends with the people they love.
After receiving alcohol rehab in Philadelphia, PA, you may enter our addiction aftercare program. After all, recovery does not end when treatment is over. You can continue to receive the support and guidance you need, even after you complete treatment here at MPower Wellness.
Receive Alcohol Rehab in Philadelphia Today
If you have been suffering from alcohol abuse, hopelessness may be creeping into your heart and mind. It can be incredibly difficult to come to the full realization of what you are experiencing. It can be even more challenging to reach out for help.
Many people who struggle with addiction fail to get treatment specifically because of the shame and stigma that often surround addiction treatment. But, you do not have to fight alcoholism alone. In fact, MPower Wellness of Exton is here to prevent you from struggling by yourself.
Here at our Pennsylvania addiction rehab facility, we strive to make sure our patients receive the help they need as they pursue freedom. We firmly believe that each person who battles addiction deserves a fresh start. Yes, this includes you, too! You can live a life beyond addiction. You can find peace and healing through recovery here at MPower Wellness.
If you’ve been looking for alcohol rehab in Philadelphia, look no further. Our professional mental health and substance abuse treatment center is here to help you. To learn how we can help you overcome alcohol use disorder, contact us today. Our compassionate team is standing by to answer your call and assist you as you begin your journey to sobriety, freedom, health, and happiness.
DISCOVER A OF LIVING
Find out more about the services available at MPower Wellness and start on your path to recovery.
Medical Director
Dr. Elizabeth Drew graduated from Hahnemann University School of Medicine and completed her family practice residency at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown PA. In 2005, she opened her family medicine office in Doylestown, and in 2008 she treated her first patient for opiate addiction.
Since then Dr. Drew has attained her board certification in Addiction Medicine, treated more than a thousand patients for addiction to opiates and alcohol, participated in programs to educate the community, traveled to Washington DC to educate our legislators, and served as Medical Director at some of the best addiction treatment programs in Pennsylvania.
She understands that addiction is a chronic disease that no one would choose to have, and her treatment philosophy is based on respect, compassion, and empowerment. She is excited to be the Medical Director of MPower Wellness and work to provide superior addiction treatment in Chester County.