Alcohol addiction has steadily risen despite the numerous harmful side effects it has on the body. Unfortunately, the effects of alcohol addiction can take a toll in more ways than most people realize. An alcohol addiction treatment program can help you or a loved one learn the dangers of alcohol and help recover from their alcohol addiction.
At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our alcohol addiction treatment programs can help those suffering the physical side effects of alcohol addiction and are ready to put in the time and work necessary to begin their recovery. Call 833.448.0127 to learn more about the physical effects of alcohol addiction and how we can help you or a loved one begin a life of sobriety.
How Alcohol Affects the Body
One or two drinks a night can steadily increase over time without you realizing it. The harmful effects alcohol has on the brain, heart, and liver are worse than most people realize.
Brain
Slurred speech, memory loss, and poor judgment are just the early stages of cognitive impairment. Long-term abuse changes your brain chemistry and the way you think, possibly leading to permanent brain damage and death.
Heart
Alcohol has an immediate effect on your heart, increasing your heart rate. The more you drink, the more your heart is working and can lead to heart disease, such as:
- Cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmia
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
Liver
Your liver is a filter. It filters the blood from the digestive system and helps filter out toxins before it reaches the bloodstream. Alcohol is a poison, and drinking too much can overwork your liver and damage it. Leading to such diseases as:
- Cirrhosis
- Steatosis
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Fibrosis
- Cellular mutation
- Pancreatitis
In the U.S., one in three cases of pancreatitis is from alcohol abuse. The pancreas turns alcohol into toxins that affect the pancreas and digestive system and has some painful side effects:
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pale colored, oily stools
- Back pain
- Diabetes
Cancer
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists alcohol as a known human carcinogen. Long-term drinking is behind several forms of cancer, including:
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Colon cancer
Your body is a machine, and if it is overworked, it will break down over time. Your immune system cannot adequately protect you if it is busy repairing the damage from alcohol poisoning. Illnesses like pneumonia and tuberculosis will affect those suffering from alcohol addiction more than those with a healthy immune system.
Treating the Physical Side Effects of Alcohol Addiction
In some alcohol addiction treatment programs, a detox or inpatient treatment can break the power addiction has over some patients at the start of their treatment. When completed, further treatment can continue as you are just beginning your addiction recovery.
An outpatient treatment program can give those who have completed detox and are ready to continue their work toward recovery. An effective and complete recovery program will include a mixture of behavioral programs designed to weed out the underlying cause of the addiction and help you maintain your sober life.
At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer several behavioral therapy programs designed to help you with your alcohol addiction treatment that will include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (CBT)
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Individual and group therapy
- Family therapy
Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Colorado
At CMAR, Colorado’s only licensed outpatient addiction treatment center, our alcohol addiction treatment programs can help you along your journey to recovery. If you or a loved one are struggling with the physical side effects of alcohol addiction and are ready to get control of your life, our certified behavioral therapists will design a tailor-made program for your recovery that will give you the best chance for recovery. Verify your insurance with us to start your journey.
Call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our behavioral and medication-assisted treatment programs for alcohol addiction.
