Drug rehabilitation (rehab) is the process through which someone with an addiction to a psychoactive substance becomes drug free and learns to live without dependence on addictive drugs. In addition to medication and detoxification, drug rehab can involve individual, group, and behavioral therapy. Because of the many complexities of addictions, treatments are constantly monitored and often modified to produce the most positive outcomes.
Therapeutic rehab is often complex and the effectiveness of rehabilitative treatments varies from person to person and may require more than one admission to a treatment facility, Because people respond differently to treatment, it takes time for healthcare professionals to get the right combination of therapies and medication.

What Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Offers to People with Addictions

Several major areas of treatment must be addressed when an addicted person enters rehab. Once a person acknowledges the addiction and asks for help, rehab provides the opportunity, support, and professional expertise necessary to identify its causes and to assess what treatments may be beneficial.
Drug rehabilitation programs are not one size fits all. Appropriate treated is determined by the patient’s age and the severity of the addiction. The stage of the addiction is also a factor. Some of the available programs are inpatient, residential, outpatient and short stay.
It is very important to select a therapeutic treatment facility that meets the needs of the patient. When looking for a treatment facility, always ask if doctors provide 24-hour care to monitor negative medical or psychological side-effects and to ensure the safety of patients during the withdrawal process. It is a good idea to prepare a list of questions before you begin interviewing treatment facilities for yourself or a loved one.

How can a Person get into a Drug Rehab?

Intervention is one of the most effective ways to help someone get into rehab. With intervention, the family meets with the person suffering from addiction and assures him or her that they are concerned about the drug use and that they want to help. People with addictions need to know that family is supportive. On the other hand, families need to be patient, but firm regarding the well-being of all concerned. Speak in a positive manner and encourage the friend or loved one to take the first step. Let them know that you believe in their success.

This may be a long, emotional encounter and it may take awhile for a person to actually realize their addiction and to acknowledge the need for help. If a person becomes a danger to themselves or others, call the authorities and they will have the patient hospitalized for a thorough evaluation. If insurance is an issue, you may be able to find a facility that has a sliding fee schedule or that offers free rehabilitation.

Contact Delray Recovery Center Today

If you or your loved one has found themselves in a losing battle with addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center. You are not alone in this fight. We understand what you are going through and we are here to help.

Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If voicing your struggle causes anxiety, please simply fill out our form. We look forward to hearing from you.

If you live in the Florida area and have a loved one that is addicted to drugs and they are suffering from the physical and emotional pain of addiction, it is time that you find a center for rehab in Florida. Getting professional help for addiction is the only way for a person suffering from the wrath of addiction to get back to a normal, healthy, productive life.

There is Help for Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Once you have made the decision to stop the revolving door of addiction and take back your life, you will find that you are beginning life anew with a mind and body that is free from the harmful effects of addiction. Whether the problem consists of alcoholism, chemical dependency, drug or substance abuse, help is only a phone call away. Counselors with extensive experience that have helped thousands of people with addiction problems are waiting to help you. No matter how desperate you may feel or how out of control life may be, there is help for you. Prolonged substance abuse causes a profound change to the chemistry of the brain and the body. There is no doubt that drug and alcohol detoxification and recovery is a challenging process. Here you will find a rehab in Florida that lets hope and fulfillment replace the fear, anger and loneliness that come with addiction.

Getting Rehab in Florida

At the Delray Recovery Center we offer an effective caring staff that excels in easing the effects of drug and alcohol addiction, substance abuse and chemical dependency. Staff is available on-site at all times 24/7. They offer one-on-one attention and treatment by licensed therapists. The facility is comfortable and conducive to dealing intently with drug and alcohol addiction and recovery. Each and every patient will get a treatment plan that is exclusively suited to their needs. We are not only interested in curing your addiction; we also get to the root of the cause of the addiction.

Starting an addiction recovery program can be daunting and it can be difficult to trust another person with the truth of an addiction. You will certainly have questions and it is important when calling to speak with one of the counselors that you have a list of those questions. Also have pencil and paper handy to take down any pertinent information that you want to share with the others that are involved in the recovery process.

Getting started with a recovery program is the start to a whole new life. A life that is free from the constant struggle and weight of drug or alcohol addiction, chemical dependency and substance abuse. Wake up to a bright new life full of freedom and clarity of mind.

Contact Delray Recovery Center Today

If you or your loved one has found themselves in a losing battle with addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center. You are not alone in this fight. We understand what you are going through and we are here to help.

Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If voicing your struggle causes anxiety, please simply fill out our form. We look forward to hearing from you.

What is Available?

Each facility has its own style of treatment. It could be a 30 day program or an extended 90 day program. Inpatient or outpatient? Hospital-based or free standing clinic? Is the program a 12-step or not? Faith-based or secular? Many of the drug rehab centers are based on the 12-step program which has been around since the 1930′s. This kind of program offers much support, both during the treatment and after the individual ends the program. In fact, the 12-step program views the rehab work as a life-long commitment which doesn’t really end on a calendar date.

Different Types of Programs

There are rehab centers that are located out in the more rural parts of the country. These are often “working” centers where the person stays for the duration of the program and is expected to perform jobs around the center to help keep it running. This is a good opportunity to help someone with low self-esteem issues. Being responsible for tasks around the center can build confidence and is frequently used to help adolescents with addiction problems.

For individuals also dealing with issues outside of the addiction, a special treatment center that focuses on the addiction as well as the other life issues may be a better choice.

Detox

If the person is in a crisis situation, they may need to be admitted to a detox center to allow them to become stabilized prior to being admitted to a rehab program. Many rehab programs have their own detox centers but some will refer to other facilities. This detoxification step may be necessary for the safety of the individual and of others in the rehab center.

What is the ratio of staff to individual patients? Look at all levels of staff: doctors, therapists, nurses and assistants. A low ratio of staff to patients may give a person more individualized attention. These may also be premium rehab centers and expensive. A high ratio of staff to patients may give the rehab center more of an inpatient hospital floor feel where the person rarely has contact with therapists and can remain isolated in their room.

Ask These Questions…

Look into if the rehab center offers stress groups or one-on-one counseling? People often connect with one or the other therapy styles and may have difficulties getting better with the other. Another consideration that can’t be overlooked is whether the rehab center offers a follow-up care program for it’s released patients? Once the person has “completed” the program, is there support available or are they left to find their own assistance? It is an important step to take to find a good drug rehab center to treat a loved one. With a little persistence and research, the best ones available can be uncovered giving the person the best chance of dealing with their addiction.

Contact Delray Recovery Center Today

If you’ve found yourself or someone you care for in the devastating throes of an overwhelming addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center.  Located in beautiful Delray Beach Florida, we genuinely sympathize with the struggles of addiction, and we are professionally trained to help you regain control of your life.

Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If calling concerning your difficulty causes uneasiness, please simply fill out our form. Contact is the first step toward recovery.

Problems Caused by Substance Abuse

Alcoholism accounts for one of the most progressive substances abused, with more than 10 million adults and more than 3 million children affected by it daily. Government statistics point to more than 13 million Americans who are addicted to other substances, such as sedatives, opiates, barbiturates, and hallucinogens or other stimulants.

The addictions of the substance abuser can destroy families, and while the symptoms can be easily spotted, getting the needed help for a substance abuser is sometimes difficult. The warning signs associated with substance abuse include:

•   Tolerance of the substance on a daily, weekend or binge pattern,
•   Physical or psychological dependence on the substance in order to function,
•   Failed attempts to stop using the substance,
•   Withdrawal symptoms such as trembling, sweating, high blood pressure or dementia.

Substance Abuse Dependency

Why people depend on and abuse certain substances still remains a mystery to health professionals, but some believe that research tends to lean toward a combination of hereditary factors, environmental and social events throughout a person’s life that cause tendencies of dependence toward drugs or alcohol.
There are many therapies and treatments available for substance abuse, but most researchers agree that abstinence is first and foremost the best. Also, understanding the motivation and behavior behind the dependency is an important step to overcoming dependency and abuse. The substance abuser usually needs help in developing self-esteem and coping with the stress associated with the dependency. Groups designed for self-help are quite effective. These groups are made up of other substance abusers as well as health professionals who form a support network, helping each other on a daily basis.

Basic terms that define substance disorders include substance abuse, substance dependence and chemical dependence.

• Substance abuse describes patterns of using drug substances that lead to problems within daily living, such as failure to attend school or work, or disrupted friendships or family relationships due to the abuse of drugs, illegal substances and alcohol.
• Substance dependence is referred to as the continuing use of drugs or alcohol after problems have developed. Signs of tolerance or an increased need for the substance include increasing the amounts of the substance used, withdrawal symptoms when use is discontinued, withdrawing from social or family activities, and physical awareness or psychological awareness encountered through the continued use of the substance.
• Chemical dependence describes a compulsive use of the drugs or alcohol and includes the inability to stop using them.

The most common behaviors to indicate substance abuse include:

• Getting drunk or high on a regular basis
• Lying about how much of the substance is being consumed
• Avoiding family and friends
• Not associating with friends who are not substance abusers
• Giving up activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed
• Being arrested
• Missing work or not being productive while at work
• Depression or hopelessness
• Suicidal tendencies

Seeking the help of a medical professional or counselor is an important first step for the substance abuser who wants to be free of chemical dependencies. While the symptoms and behaviors may be easy to see, the cycle of dependency is difficult to break without the support of family and treatment from qualified professionals.

Contact Delray Recovery Center Today

If you’ve found yourself or someone you care for in the devastating throes of an overwhelming addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center. We genuinely sympathize with the pain of addiction, and we are professionally trained to help you regain control of your life.

Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If calling concerning your difficulty causes uneasiness, please simply fill out our form. Contact is the first step toward recovery.

Most importantly, rehab has some level of support to offer anyone who is experiencing the damaging effects of drug abuse. This not only includes the person who is directly abusing substances, but also the family members, friends and loved ones related to the person considering entering. Many people think of rehab as a place where they’ll be locked in a room all day unable to socialize. For some they worry or fear they may not succeed and therefore forego exploring the option at all. Rehab has come a very long way though.

What Exactly Is Rehab?

The experience of drug abuse is personal and different for everyone. Because this is the case, newer, more personalized rehab options exist for both acute and long term needs. Our rehab programs are multi-faceted and are designed to address all facets of addiction. An integrative addiction rehab program that looks at the underlying issues surrounding your personal experience is an integral part of the rehab process. To better assist us in reflecting how we can help match your needs to the specific programs we offer, we take great care to understand your needs.

Discovering underlying causes of addiction- For rehab to be a success for participants, moving away from addiction triggers and abuse patterns toward the development of personal skills to prevent relapse is essential. A well-rounded rehab program will help you identify what your personal triggers are, work to eliminate those and move you to the next step in the rehab process. As we discover what underlying causes may have triggered initial abuse patterns, we’ll help you develop everyday life skills to help keep you on the road to recovery.

What is the “road to recovery”? Once cravings are reduced and use of the abused substances has been removed, the successful rehab process focuses on developing preventive strategies into the participant’s lifestyle. Skills that teach participants how to interact within their personal relationships, return to work and interact in social settings are all part of the rehab process.

Encouragement through communication- Every step of the rehab process includes enhancing communication skills. Our participants find this very empowering as they transition into new everyday routines. We understand that assimilation from rehab back into our everyday lives can be challenging and why we assist participants in developing skills to cope with the urge to use again. Relapse is a major concern for families and loved ones of participants. We make every endeavor to teach our participants how to prevent relapse. When participants leave rehab, they often desire to return to the environments they were most familiar with. This can include potential triggers such as seeing old friends, neighborhoods or groups. We teach and encourage participants to avoid these triggers by replacing them with new activities, making new friends and joining new groups.

Beyond Rehab- Once the initial rehab process has been completed, we want to support our participants as they return to friends and family. To support this process, we make our counselors available for extended or longer term rehab programs. As we work with each of our participants, we constantly strive to assist in enhancing and developing troubleshooting skills through open communication. Because we make rehab a personal experience for all of our participants we know that everyone goes at their own pace. We’ll work with you to develop your most optimal pace for success.

Contact Delray Recovery Center Today

If you or someone you care for is currently caught up in the destructive grip of addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center. We are an addiction treatment provider that understands the struggle. We know the suffering of the addict and the heartache of the families involved.

Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If you are fearful of voicing the problem, please simply fill out our form. Any measure of contact is a step in the right direction.

Your Precious Child

From the day you hold your child in your arms for the first time until the day you watch him or her leave for college, you do all you can to provide protection from harm. You quickly develop hopes and wishes for your child’s future, celebrate their accomplishments with them and do your best to teach them right from wrong. Then your experience the confusion, denial and final realization that your child is involved in teenage drug abuse.

Coming To Realize The Problem

The discovery that your teen is abusing drugs can leave you feeling frightened and confused. If all your efforts have gone toward providing them with the best life possible, the realization that your son or daughter is using and abusing drugs can hit you like a ton of bricks. Knowing how to get your child the help needed can be confusing, especially when you are overwhelmed by the situation. But speaking on the phone with a counselor who’s trained and experienced in teenage drug abuse can get you started on the right path toward obtaining the help your child needs. Additionally, a counselor and subsequent support network can help you understand some of the reasons why your teenager has become a drug abuser.

•  Peer Pressure - Kids are curious by nature and don’t want to look like wimps or cowards in front of their friends. A teen who is shy or has difficulty making friends may easily give in to the pressure to experiment with drugs in order to receive the acceptance he or she desires. In this situation the “group think” mindset can override anything your teen has been taught about avoiding drugs.
•   Desire to Belong – Adolescents and teenagers have a great desire to feel as if they belong. They may initially try to become involved in groups that are safer and more in-line with their family’s values but, if these attempts fail, they will often become involved in any group that will accept them.
•   To Feel Grown Up - Teenagers are just a few years away from becoming adults and the desire to be grown up often leads them to emulate behaviors they’ve witnessed in adults. Experimenting with cigarette smoking can lead to trying drugs. If drug addiction has been witnessed within the extended family, a teen might feel that participating in drug abuse is a normal expression of adulthood.
•   Find Relief - Teenagers face a great deal of stress these days. Between pressures at school, in extra-curricular activities and at home, drugs such as marijuana are often turned to for relief from stress. Additionally, kids wanting to lose weight or escape from overwhelming stress also experiment with drugs as a way to find a solution to the problem they are facing.

Contact Delray Recovery Center Today

Getting appropriate help for your teenager is critical to helping him or her avoid some of the very serious consequences of abuse that begins as teenage drug abuse and continues well into adulthood. By speaking with an intake counselor or filling out a feedback form you can begin the process of helping your child work toward a safer and more hopeful future. As you seek help for your child, it’s also important to become involved in a support group so you can benefit from the knowledge and experience of other parents dealing with teenage drug abuse and learn how to set healthy boundaries with your child. Experimenting with and abusing drugs is a dangerous activity with the potential to put your child at serious risk. The phone call you make today can help your son or daughter have the chance for a brighter and safer tomorrow.

If you or someone you care for is currently caught up in the destructive grip of addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center. We are an addiction treatment provider that understands the struggle. We know the suffering of the addict and the heartache of the families involved.

Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If you are fearful of voicing the problem, please simply fill out our form. Any measure of contact is a step in the right direction.

The Problem at Hand

The combination of drug abuse and mental illness can present addicts and their family members with a problem of enormous proportions. This dual situation can be hard to unravel and users can sometimes be diagnosed for only one issue, not both. As drug use compounds mental health issues, the user might refuse treatment for one or both issues. Family members are often left not knowing what to do as they endure this heartbreaking situation. Once a dual diagnosis is made, it can bring great relief and the hope of treatment.

You are NOT Alone

Nearly 50 percent of people with some form of mental illness use and abuse drugs or alcohol. Because it can be hard to separate the behaviors of an addict from the behaviors of someone with mental illness, this dual diagnosis can be a hard one to make. Drug abuse and mental illness is a combination that exacerbates symptoms of mental illness. The effects of drug abuse on mental illness can magnify symptoms and behaviors already present, or it can create new ones such as some of these effects:

• Loss or Lack of Support- A dual diagnosis of drug abuse and mental illness can make a person impossible to deal with. Since these people often refuse treatment for both issues, family members can arrive at the point of no longer being able to offer help or support. A loss or lack of support leaves the addict with mental illness to his or her own devices but without the capability to provide self-care.
• Increase in Violent Behavior- Those with mental illness that abuse drugs or alcohol have a higher propensity toward violent behavior. This can manifest itself in the form of violence directed at others, such as domestic violence. Addicts with mental illness also have a higher rate of suicide attempts, which is a form of violence toward him or herself.
• Increased Risk of “Downward Drift- The behaviors, limitations and lack of support that exist in the life of most addicts with mental illness contributes toward a phenomenon known as the “downward drift”. Their lifestyle and behaviors often leads them to live in neighborhoods considered to be marginal where drug and alcohol abuse is more prevalent.
• Incarceration or Death- The violent behavior of those with drug abuse and mental illness often leads to very serious consequences. The majority of mentally ill people in prison or jail were abusing drugs or alcohol at the time of their incarceration. In addition to the greater risk of imprisonment, those suffering from drug abuse and mental illness are at greater risk of death due to violence, suicide or overdose.

How The Addiction Starts

Many people suffering from mental illness begin using drugs or alcohol on a recreational basis. Once they determine that drugs or alcohol can help them relieve stress or anxiety, use continues and often increases as the user seeks to self-medicate. As the family member of a person affected by drug abuse and mental illness, you face an especially rough road. But, in recent years, a greater understanding of this dual diagnosis and how best to treat it has raised hope and effectiveness in treatment programs.

Confronting a loved one about drug abuse and mental illness can be a difficult task. By speaking with an intake counselor you can gain insight and information to help you in your efforts to assist your loved one. Support throughout this situation is vital to the addict and to you. A treatment facility staffed with caring people trained to treat people with the dual diagnosis of drug abuse and mental illness can provide effective help.

Contact Delray Recovery Center Today

If you’ve found yourself or someone you care for in the devastating throes of an overwhelming addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center. We genuinely sympathize with the pain of addiction, and we are professionally trained to help you regain control of your life.

Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If calling concerning your difficulty causes uneasiness, please simply fill out our form. Contact is the first step toward recovery.

Combat Addiction at the Cellular Level

Addiction takes place on a cellular level. The body’s cells actually adjust the cell-receptor configurations on their surfaces in order to connect with the body chemistry they are experiencing the majority of the time. This increased number of cell receptors causes the body to crave the desired substance even more, and there is a snowball effect. Also, the body gradually builds up a tolerance to the substance, so it needs a bit more each time to feel the same “high” as before.

This is why the detox component of rehab is so critical. Most, if not all rehabilitation centers employ a detox program as the very first step when a person enters rehab. As the days without contact with the substance accumulate, the addictive response recedes. The body’s cells actually begin to change, healing over those cell receptor sites that had contributed to their cravings and were keeping them addicted.

The detox portion of rehab can be rocky for some patients, but rehabilitation centers provide the safest possible environment for this process. Qualified professionals are there to monitor the patient, and medications can be prescribed if necessary. These medications can go a long way in reducing withdrawal symptoms and making the detox process as comfortable as possible.

Beat Addiction Emotionally

The next step after detox at a rehabilitation center is talk therapy, both group and individual. For a full and lasting recovery, it is crucial that the patient come to terms with the emotional causes that have been driving their addiction. While there is usually a biological component, (i.e. addiction may run in the person’s family), there is almost always a strong emotional component as well. This might include childhood trauma or negative life experiences that the person has not yet processed, healed and released.

In these cases, the addiction was functioning as a way to self-medicate, to “forget” the pain of these past experiences or at least not feel as much pain. Once the suppressed pain is allowed to come forward and be talked through in a safe environment, often the urge to abuse alcohol or other drugs is greatly diminished. With the old pain released and healed, there is less urge or motive to self-medicate.

The final step in the rehab process is establishing a comprehensive after-care protocol. The 12-step program will often become a permanent part of the person’s life along with attending regular meetings and connecting with a sponsor. In some cases a period of time in a sober living group facility may be a transitional step out of rehab before integrating back into their lives.

Crucial to all of these components of treatment is the element of supportive, caring people every step of the way. Whether it’s the doctors and nurses during detox, the counselors during therapy, the other patients during group activities, or friends and family members, one of the most powerful, healing forces on the planet is the love and care of other people.

Detox, individual therapy, group therapy, the 12-step program and ongoing support are a powerful combination in combating drug and alcohol addiction. This protocol has worked for many people who are now living happier, more peaceful and productive lives.

Contact Delray Recovery Center Today

If you or your loved one has found themselves in a losing battle with addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center. You are not alone in this fight. We understand what you are going through and we are here to help.

Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If voicing your struggle causes anxiety, please simply fill out our form. We look forward to hearing from you.

There are some situations you grow out of with age. Children that are shy often learn to be more sociable and assertive as teens. Bad habits, like nail biting get left behind. But other situations, like being the child of an alcoholic, often do not go away when you grow up. Adult children of alcoholics face the same fears, worries and concerns they faced as children, while carrying the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of an adult. The burden of dealing with an alcoholic never gets easier.

As much as you try to deal with it privately, on your own, it’s common to quickly become overwhelmed with stress and concern for your parent’s deteriorating health. Alcoholism isn’t something you should have to handle alone. Talking to an intake counselor at our facility can help you in many ways, including these:

•   Obtain Much-Needed Support- The best of intentions can quickly crumble to the ground under the enormous pressure of trying to save an alcoholic parent. Instead of being the adult-aged child, you quickly become the mother or father instead. Support is vital for you to avoid being drawn in and overwhelmed by the crazy-making behavior that occurs as part of alcoholism. Talking to a counselor can help you sort through the options you and other family members have for the support that’s crucial to getting you through your parent’s alcoholism.
•   Learn How to Help Your Parent- Being adult children of alcoholics can be so overwhelming that it’s difficult to know where to start finding help. The hardest part can be dealing with a parent who refuses to acknowledge a problem or seek help. A counselor trained in addictions can help you find the guidance needed to get help for your parent. This is something you shouldn’t have to go through alone; a supportive network can help you learn how best to help your mom or dad.
•   Get the Help Your Parent Needs- Once you’ve spoken to an intake counselor on the phone and found a supportive network for yourself, you’ll be better able to help your alcoholic parent obtain the help he or she needs. Those trained to work with people with addictions can provide support so you know how to approach your parent in the most effective way as you work toward your goal of getting him or her into an alcohol addiction treatment program.
•   Be Empowered to Advocate for Yourself- As your parent receives care and goes through a treatment program for alcohol addiction, it’s important for you to be involved in a support group for adult children of alcoholics. Doing so will help you advocate for yourself and empower you to break the cycle of codependency that often perpetuates alcoholism. Learning the necessary boundaries can aid your parent in recovery and help the two of you rebuild your relationship in a healthy way.

Get The Help You Deserve

Alcoholism is a disease that doesn’t go away on its own. As one amongst many other adult children of alcoholics, you understand the pain and agony associated with wanting your parent to get better and holding out hope that it will happen. The empty promises, followed by short-lived efforts and the downward spiral of your loved one is heartbreaking to witness. By speaking with a counselor or filling out a feedback form you can get your parent the help he or she needs. One of the most heart-wrenching and difficult aspects of alcoholism is watching the parent you love disappear before your eyes to alcohol addiction. Help your parent get much-needed assistance and gain support for yourself by making a phone call today.

Contact Delray Recovery Center Today

If you or someone you care for is currently caught up in the destructive grip of addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center. We are an addiction treatment provider that understands the struggle. We know the suffering of the addict and the heartache of the families involved.

Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If you are fearful of voicing the problem, please simply fill out our form. Any measure of contact is a step in the right direction.

•   Poor nutrition
•   Binge drinking

A Brief Summary of the Damage

Alcohol has the ability to damage your liver. This damage leads to inflammation and swelling of the liver, otherwise referred to as ‘alcoholic hepatitis.’ Eventually, this continued process causes scar tissue to form, which results in a condition known as ‘cirrhosis of the liver.’ This is the last stage of alcoholism and liver disease.

Alcoholic liver disease is a very dangerous condition. It will worsen if treatment is not sought and there is a continued consumption of alcohol.

How Alcohol Damages Your Liver

Alcohol is toxic to the cells in the liver, this is the main reason our liver cells are damaged, leading to chronic liver diseases. The epidemiological studies that have been done, found that the incidence of cirrhotic liver diseases are closely connected to the consumption of alcohol.

In the countries whose average alcohol consumption per capita was more than 10 liters each year, the frequency of alcoholism and liver disease rates were high.

Alcohol consumption was related to nearly two-thirds of the cirrhotic liver conditions seen. Heavy binge and sporadic alcohol consumption also caused these conditions to occur. In fact, acute hepatitis will many times occur to a chronic drinker following the consumption of a very large amount of alcohol. In some of the more rare cases, liver failure can occur.

Binge Drinking

When an individual binge drinks, he drinks an abnormally large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time. The triglycerides in his liver can increase dramatically. This increase can be five to ten times his normal number. This causes fatty deposits to develop in his liver cells.

The Breakdown

When alcohol enters your body, 95% of the alcohol is metabolized within the liver. The alcohol becomes ‘acetaldehyde’ inside your liver cells and this is even more toxic to your liver than the initial form of the alcohol was.

The liver becomes inflamed due to the alcohol and its metabolites. If you drink long-term, the inflammation is persistently occurring, which leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis. In the end stage of the disease, many complications are possible. These complications could cause liver failure and then, death.

Acetaldehyde has the ability to combine with the membrane of the liver cell. This forms a new antigen, stimulating your immune system to create autoimmune reactions. A metabolic liver disorder can occur.

Overproduction of Free Radicals

The inflammation leads to a free-radical overproduction that can damage or impair the liver cells even further.

Reduced Production of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are the body’s natural defense against free radicals. If someone is already infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) or Hepatitis B virus (HBV), these damaging effects will intensify the liver inflammation that is already present. This can accelerate the advancement of fibrosis dramatically.

Acetaldehyde exacerbates inflammation, but also causes fibrosis directly. Alcohol promotes the progression of the disease by increasing certain cytokines in the liver. The cytokines that are increased include:

• Platelet delivered growth factor (PDGF)
• Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFb1)
• Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)

These cytokines activate the liver’s hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and cause these cells to lose their Vitamin A content. This is what begins the production of scar tissue on the liver. Now that the HSC have been activated, they can also constrict the blood vessels, which reduces the blood flow into the liver cells and decreases the oxygen and nutrition being delivered to the liver’s cells.

The liver damage that is caused by alcohol is linked to the period of time the alcohol has been being consumed and the amount of alcohol consumed all at once. As you can see, alcoholism and liver disease go hand and hand. Eliminating alcohol from your diet is the best way to decrease your chances of developing this condition.

Contact Delray Recovery Center Today

If you or someone you care for is currently caught up in the destructive grip of addiction, please seek help with Delray Recovery Center. We are an addiction treatment provider that understands the struggle. We know the suffering of the addict and the heartache of the families involved.

Call us today at the toll free number at the top of the page. If you are fearful of voicing the problem, please simply fill out our form. Any measure of contact is a step in the right direction.