Alcohol and Alcoholism

Alcoholism is addiction to alcohol. Alcoholism means compulsive drinking in
spite of negative consequences due to the alcohol. Many people abuse alcohol
to experience the euphoria from drinking in spite of being “hung-over.”
Many people look forward to drinking at the end of a stressful day to
“relax.”  Continuing to “reward” the brain with the pleasurable
effects of alcohol over time leads to changes in brain wiring which are
associated with the loss of control of drinking. This means that people who
like to drink, and cope with their stress by drinking, are at significant risk
for progressing to become an alcoholic.

Scientists understand that the disease of alcoholism is a medical brain
disorder involving powerful brain chemistry changes that can quickly make the
body dependent upon alcohol. The biology of the brain makes no moral judgments
or distinctions. Many people are at risk for developing progressive loss of
control over their drinking. This can occur if they continue to expose their
brain to something that makes them feel good, and then require more alcohol to
achieve the same effect. The reason has to do with how the brain changes due
to repeated exposure to alcohol.

The use of alcohol leads to the release of dopamine in the brain, which is
experienced by people as euphoric and pleasurable.  For those who misuse and
become dependent upon alcohol, the use of alcohol becomes habituated. This
means that an individual stops feeling emotional pleasure unless they are
using alcohol. In an attempt to feel better from alcohol, continued drinking
actually causes depression, anxiety, memory impairment, and sleeplessness.
Alcohol becomes increasingly toxic. This can lead to permanent injury to the
brain.

An untreated alcoholic is at significant risk of dying from alcohol poisoning
or liver failure associated with continued drinking. In addition, the family
of the alcoholic is burdened with the emotional difficulties of living with
someone who is chronically under the influence. They often experience the
misery of seeing someone they love sink into despair, illness, even death.

Alcohol addiction is treatable. Doctors and scientists understand that the
drive to drink is a biological urge for people who have lost control of their
drinking. In conjunction with counseling support and newer medications, the
doctors at HealthWorks NW can help patients who have developed drinking
problems.

The first step towards treatment for a person with an alcohol problem is to
accept that they have lost control over their drinking.

Options Exist for Alcohol Detoxification. Unlike detoxification from opiates,
detoxification from alcohol can be unsafe unless aggressive medical
intervention is utilized. Alcohol withdrawal can cause symptoms of tremor,
confusion, seizures, or death. The current community standard of care for
alcohol-dependent patients is dangerously low. It often involves discharge
from a clinic or emergency room with a small number of pills and instructions
to “take care of themselves.” While hospital-based care is often required
for patients who have a history of seizure, this does not represent the bulk
of alcohol dependent patients trying to stop drinking.

HealthWorks NW is proud to offer in-office assessment and in-office physician
and nurse supervised alcohol detoxification. Most patients are able to safely
detoxify over a period of two to three days with close medical management and
support. They receive treatment during the day, and instructions for the
evening. Doctors and nurses are on-call 24/7. Patients who are not able to
safely detoxify in the clinic are referred for admission to an inpatient
detoxification facility or hospital. This is usually not necessary, but we are
prepared for the possibility, always placing safety first.