Alcohol addiction is a dangerous and life-threatening condition because of the high risk of alcohol poisoning after binge drinking. But what does alcohol poisoning look like? Mississippi alcohol rehab programs at Woodland Recovery Center can teach you more. Call Woodland Recovery Center today at 662.222.2989.
Understanding Alcohol Use Disorders
More than 6% of U.S. adults have an alcohol use disorder, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
An alcohol use disorder involves the compulsive need to drink alcohol. It is a medical condition that makes it difficult for those affected to stop or control their drinking despite the negative effects it creates. Alcohol addiction is a brain disorder that can range from mild to severe.
Alcohol is both a stimulant and a depressant. It interferes with the brain’s communication pathways, making it harder for the areas that control balance, speech, memory, and judgment to work as needed.
Some of the signs of alcohol addiction include:
- Constant intoxication
- Day-drinking
- Engaging in risky activities
- Slowed reaction times
- Frequent blackouts
- Motor coordination problems
- Memory lapses
- Slurred speech
People who suffer from alcohol use disorders may also lie about the amount they drink in an attempt to hide their condition from those around them.
One of the most dangerous aspects of alcohol addiction is the high risk of alcohol poisoning.
What Does Alcohol Poisoning Look Like?
When you consume more alcohol than your body can process, you can get alcohol poisoning. It is most common after binge drinking.
Alcohol poisoning can put your life in danger because your heart can stop functioning, or your breathing can be so labored you do not receive the oxygen you need.
Signs of alcohol poisoning include:
- Severely slurred speech
- Severe confusion
- Loss of coordination
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Vomiting
- Blue-tinged skin
- Being conscious but unresponsive
- Loss of consciousness
It is important to remember that even if someone is unconscious or has stopped drinking, blood alcohol levels can continue to rise as the alcohol they already ingested makes its way into their bloodstream.
If you or a loved one has these signs of alcohol poisoning, calling for urgent medical care is vital.
Treatment for Alcohol Addiction
Anyone with an alcohol addiction needs to get treatment to be able to achieve and maintain sobriety.
Getting help before you begin the detoxification process is especially important because alcohol detox is dangerous. Trying to do this without medical assistance can be fatal if you develop delirium tremens. Delirium tremens can cause seizures, severe vomiting, and other life-threatening symptoms.
Woodland Recovery Center recommends inpatient treatment for alcohol medical detox and addiction recovery. You can undergo the therapies you need to understand your addiction in a safe environment and with the help of medications that can curb severe cravings.
If you cannot enter a residential treatment program, you can opt for partial hospitalization. Partial hospitalization offers intensive treatment without requiring overnight stays. It can be an excellent option for people with children or other responsibilities.
For those who have built confidence in their recovery and are ready to transition back into their lives, outpatient treatment is the next step in alcohol addiction recovery. You have access to therapy and support groups and can put what you have learned into practice.
Turn to Woodland Recovery Center for Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Alcohol addiction can cause long-term health effects like liver disease, and it can even put you at risk of alcohol poisoning.
If you struggle with an alcohol use disorder, getting help is the best thing you can do. Learn more about starting your recovery journey by calling Woodland Recovery Center at 662.222.2989 or filling out our online contact form.
