Alcohol is a dangerous drug due to its availability, its presence in social affairs, its ability to create dependency and many other reasons. Alcoholism carries a stigma that can mislead people to believe they are not alcoholics because they still function well. However it is possible to function in California and still be addicted to alcohol.

How Alcohol Abuse Affects People in California

The stigma surrounding alcoholism is not entirely correct. Many alcoholics have not hit rock bottom and now struggle with poverty or poor living conditions. There are plenty of alcoholics who struggle with addiction on a different, more functional level that corrodes their lifestyles and well-beings. Alcoholism can create any of the following consequences:

• They drink alone and/or privately as well as publically
• Avoiding plans with friends or family
• Poor hygiene practices
• A decrease in their work ethic
• Strong mood swings triggered by alcohol

While these symptoms are common for alcoholics of varying dependency, some people can function at a higher level while drunk than many would expect. These people are referred to as high functioning alcoholics (or HFA’s). Their characteristics create the false notion that these people can control their addiction. The following characteristics can mark any high functioning alcoholic:

• Denial drives the behaviors of many high functioning alcoholics. They doubt they are alcoholics because they don’t fit the stigma of being out of control
• They can drink while maintaining and even succeeding in a career
• HFA’s also are able to gather with friends and family and continue to build relationships
• Their outward appearances do not change much, which allows them to deceive people into thinking nothing is wrong

Being a high functioning alcoholic will eventually yield troubling signs. At some point something or someone gets lost along the way, forcing an HFA to realize that she has a problem. While an HFA has the traits to conceal her addiction, it will eventually become an issue that she cannot ignore.

Help with Alcoholism

There are many ways for California residents to seek help. Many treatment facilities help users regardless of their ability to function. Treatment is even available for relatives of users to ensure that they do not become users themselves or enable their loved one. You do not need to be the stereotypical drug user to seek help.

All addictions are serious, whether they can be handled on a daily basis or not. Please call our 24 hour, toll-free helpline so we can help you get on the track to sobriety. Do not hesitate; call us today.

Even if you are on the path of sobriety and have been alcohol-free for some time, it is difficult to be around others who continue to drink. You may feel left out and uncomfortable, and you do not want to have to explain why you are not drinking. Feeling left out does not have to a result of an alcohol-free life in California. You can enjoy social events, have fun and be a part of a group without drinking.

How to Be Social in California without Drinking Alcohol

You can have fun, be social and remain sober. Some tips for having a good alcohol-free time include the following:

• Bring non-alcoholic beverages to the event. Holding a drink gives you something to do with your hands and makes it easier to refuse offers of alcohol.
• Host the party. Invite friends and family to a party hosted by you. This gives you control of the setting and the kinds of food and drink offered. Make non-drinking activities such as bowling, playing board games or preparing food the focus of the event. Find ways to have fun without drinking, and introduce your friends and family to activities that promote this healthy lifestyle.
• Focus on your sobriety. Remember why you became sober and the work you have put in so far. You may feel left out when others are drinking, but your drinking left you more isolated from friend and loved ones than sobriety ever will.
• Be prepared to answer questions. You shouldn’t feel the need to tell people why you aren’t drinking, but you may be asked why. If you aren’t comfortable sharing your addiction history, be prepared with reasons that you feel can deflect the questions such as “I am the designated driver,” “I have work in the morning” or “I don’t need to drink to have fun.”

Learning how to feel comfortable in situations where alcohol is present can take some time. The most important thing to remember while exposing yourself to these situations is how important your recovery has been in your life and how you are determined to stay sober. If you feel left out when not drinking, you do not have a positive social circle that will support and encourage your alcohol-free life. Find friends, family members and fellow recovering alcoholics in California who will enjoy participating in healthy activities and social gatherings.

Do You Need Help Getting or Staying Sober?

Call our toll-free number to get the help you need to stay sober. We can help you find or maintain your sobriety. You can live a fun, engaging and alcohol-free life. We are here 24 hours a day, so please call now to learn more.

Alcoholism is often characterized by a number of factors, including the following:

• Cravings for alcoholic beverages
• Uncontrolled drinking binges
• Physical dependence on alcohol
• Alcohol tolerance and the need to drink more in order to achieve the desired effects

Causes of Alcohol Addiction

While it may be difficult to pinpoint a single factor that causes alcoholism, alcoholism is often associated with a few types of contributing factors, including the following:

• Genetic - Individuals whose parent or parents struggled with alcoholism or addiction often face a higher risk of developing an alcohol addiction than those whose parents did not have an alcohol problem. It is important to remember, however, that each child whose parent struggled with alcohol abuse does not automatically struggle with alcoholism as well.
• Psychological - Psychological factors can also increase one’s risk of alcoholism. Individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety or stress may turn to alcohol in an effort to self-medicate and relieve the pressure of daily life.
• Environmental - Environmental factors, including the home environment that one was raised in, the people one spends time with, the places one frequents and one’s general surroundings, can all affect one’s vulnerability to alcoholism.

How Alcohol Can Affect the Addict

When a user’s body is consistently flooded with alcohol, the brain eventually begins to adapt in order to cope. The chemicals in alcohol can change the chemistry and function of the brain. The brain’s chemical changes can make recovery more difficult since the brain often becomes dependent on alcohol in order to function normally. When alcohol is removed, the addict’s brain and body go through physical and psychological withdrawals.

Alcohol is a depressant, which means that it works to slow down the user’s brain activity. A change in brain activity can lead to changes in other organ systems since the brain controls them all. Alcohol addiction can also lead to nutritional deficiencies, liver failure, heart complications and reproductive issues. Although there is no cure for alcoholism, professional treatment can help stop the progression of the addiction and help alcoholics find recovery.

How Alcohol Addiction Treatment Can Help

There are a variety of treatment options available for alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Professional treatment can offer an individualized rehab program that includes detox, therapy, counseling and aftercare. The type of treatment that an addict needs can depend on the individual and the severity of the alcohol problem. For some, outpatient treatment will be adequate, but for many alcoholics, an inpatient treatment center can provide the best environment, most comprehensive treatment and care that supports and encourages the patient throughout the recovery process. Individuals who receive professional alcohol treatment are more likely to attain and maintain sobriety than addicts who attempt to quit drinking on their own.

Finding Help for Alcohol Addiction

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, please call our toll-free helpline now. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions about the science behind alcoholism and to help connect you with a treatment program that meets your needs. Please call now.

Inpatient alcoholism treatment is a huge step for a user to take, as she is moving out of her comfort zone and adopting new rules and regulations while adapting to sobriety. This can seem scary as so much is already occurring in the life of a user. Inpatient treatment can yield great results because of the structured environment it creates. However, on the flip side the sudden overflow of structure and responsibility from rehab can make users uncomfortable and irritable.

What Happens in Inpatient Alcoholism Treatment

While all programs differ, some of the following key practices are used:

• Inpatient facilities often hold meetings, group gatherings, and discussion sessions. These are usually mandatory, as they help users express their emotions and work through them amongst empathetic peers.
• Chores and responsibilities are assigned to hold users accountable for their participation, as they would be in a work place setting or at home.
• Therapy is usually required. Users can speak with a medical professional regarding their feelings while learning the proper coping mechanisms to survive.
• A physical activity is usually required to show the user how to be healthy while releasing any pent up frustrations.

All of these steps are put in place to help users gain a sense of independence. While it may seem ironic, providing mandatory meetings, therapy sessions, exercise and duties help users find structure in their lives. It shows them what life should be like for them outside of inpatient treatment. This can be a difficult aspect for users to understand, as they may feel like they are being treated like children by not being provided the ability to shape their own days.

How Inpatient Alcoholism Treatment Works

The truth is that inpatient treatment for alcoholism is not very flexible because it will not work if it is. In order to give the best outcome for the patient, freedoms need to be removed for there to be success. Patients cannot go to parties, lunch with friends, to visit their families or for a walk down the street. These kinds of restraints obviously can upset a person, but are designed to help users get better.

Inpatient Alcoholism Treatment

Please call our 24 hour, toll-free helpline now to get all your questions answered. Please don’t wait, call us today. We can help you get sober if you are willing to call. Rehab can change your life, so don’t put it off for another moment.

Alcohol addiction damages a person’s physical, emotional, relational and psychological health. With the proper help a recovering California resident can realize complete healing of his or her body, mind and relationships.

Health Challenges Caused by Alcohol Abuse

Addiction professionals define heavy drinking as the consumption of more than two drinks per day for men (ten per week) and one drink per day for women (five per week.) Drinking more than this for an extended period of time causes significant physical harm including the following symptoms:

• Tremors
• Sleep disorders
• Stomach, intestine and other gastrointestinal damage
• Cancer
• Memory loss
• Learning disabilities
• Persistent brain damage
• Organ failure
• Nerve damage
• Cardiovascular damage

While some of these effects may become irreversible, most addicts who overcome alcoholism can realize partial or even full healing of their bodies and minds.

What Happens to California Residents in Alcohol Rehabilitation?

The best rehab programs help their clients understand various practices that can significantly improve their physical health, including the following:

• Nutrition counseling
• Appropriate physical exercise and therapy
• Mindfulness skills
• Wellness enhancing activities such as yoga and meditation
• Introduction to healthy activities and hobbies

In addition to physical healing, addiction recovery can reverse the devastating psychological and emotional effects of alcoholism. Alcohol abuse directly affects the same part of the brain that manages crucial psychological functions, such as impulse control, habit formation and anxiety control. This emotional core of the brain influences behavior much more strongly than rational thought or will. Qualified therapists can heal the psychological damage caused by alcohol abuse, including the following examples:

• Understanding compulsions and cravings
• Learning about exactly how addiction drives thoughts and actions
• Identifying and treating underlying or co-occurring psychological health issues
• Learning healthy coping techniques
• Developing wise and effective personal boundaries and accountability
• Developing healthy communication techniques
• Counseling couples and families toward healed relationships

It can be hard for a Californian caught in the grip of alcohol dependency to imagine this kind of freedom and healing, but it is definitely possible with the right help.

How Alcoholism Recovery Works for California Residents

The most effective alcohol rehab programs treat the addict’s body, mind, and spirit through holistic and integrated methods. These facilities move well beyond the traditional treatment models as they strive to understand and treat all aspects of addiction. Progressive programs are demonstrating significant improvement in long-term success rates.

Help for Alcoholism

If you are ready to experience this level of healing through alcohol addiction recovery, please call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline today. Our alcoholism experts are standing by right now and they are ready to connect you with exactly what you need. Your body wants to be well and we can help.

Alcoholism requires quality treatment in order for you to find long-term sobriety. Fortunately, there are many treatment options to choose from when trying to get clean, but selecting the right treatment program can make or break an addict. Every alcoholic is different. For the sake of recovery, one’s treatment program should be tailored to the services that best meet the addict’s needs. The best way to make this happen is by speaking with a rehab professional.

A professional is aware of all the options available, and will know what options best fit the alcoholic after doing a few assessments. By speaking with a rehab professional an alcoholic can be confident in his choice and have the greatest chance at recovery. With many options to choose from, picking a treatment program can be overwhelming, frightening or discouraging; but, a rehab professional can minimize these frustrations and make sure an addict is self-assured.

How Recovering Alcoholics Can Help You Find a Treatment Program

Another helpful option for fining help for alcoholism is speaking to past or recovering alcoholics. If you know of anyone who has struggled with alcoholism in the past, you may wonder what helped or harmed her recovery. Past alcoholics will have some insight on the subject that no one else has experienced. They may suggest things that they should have done, such as stay in rehab for a longer duration. If you lack relations with a past alcoholic, you can find credible patients online who have discussed their experiences in treatment. Most rehab facilities offer their patients a chance to recommend and describe their treatment experience in the hopes that others will be encouraged to do the same. While this option can point addicts in the right direction, this should not be the lone perspective for making a treatment selection; professional help should still be sought out.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Addiction Programs

When it comes to choosing treatment, there are many different options to choose from. You may not be aware of all these options by just searching the internet and reading brochures. There are gobs of alcohol addiction treatment facilities, each with different services and amenities. Facilities will offer different treatment techniques, each believing one form of treatment is better than another. There are options for live-in treatment facilities and outpatient programs. Other options may involve location, time of stay, family involvement, integrated treatment or other behavior treatment therapies. Digging into these options with a rehab professional can help your and your family choose the best treatment program for your specific needs.

Get Professional Help Finding the Right Alcohol Treatment Program

If you are ready to speak with a rehab specialist about alcohol treatment, please call our toll-free helpline today. Our highly-trained rehab counselors can help you find a program that will best meet your recovery needs. If you are serious about your recovery results, you will want help from the experts. So please pick up the phone and call us today; our helpline is available 24 hours a day.

Do you have a friend who seems to enjoy partying a little bit too much? Just about all of us can relate to having at least one friend or family member who shows the signs of alcoholism to one degree or another. Learning how to help an addicted friend break free from addiction can make a positive change is his or her life.

Knowing the Signs of Alcoholism

Signs of alcoholism are not always obvious. Each person who is living with an addiction is likely to display their own signs. By learning to recognize them you will be in a better position to help an addicted loved one get quality care for their addiction. The following are potential signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction:

• Daily routines that include the use of alcohol
• Erratic and out of character behaviors that may include anger, violence or engaging in dangerous activities
• Out of character emotional outbursts that could include crying and depression
• Being under the influence during the day or at work
• Financial trouble despite having had a well-paying job
• Telling lies about alcohol consumption
• Turning to petty crimes including stealing from you to get money for alcohol

If you recognize any of these signs or see other indicators of an alcohol abuse problem, do not hesitate to talk to a professional about your concerns.

Staging an Alcohol Addiction Intervention for a Friend

Friends of addicts often feel like their hands are tied; what can they truly do to help their friend get sober? An intervention may be an important part of getting your addicted friend to accept that he or she has a problem. You can help a friend by doing the following:

• Hire an interventionist who can provide you with information, resources and guidance
• Consider including other friends and family members in the intervention
• Write down what you want to say during the intervention
• Realize that your role as a friend of alcoholic individuals is not to judge but is to be a source of comfort and support

Your interventionist will walk you through the intervention process so that you will know what to expect when you reach out to help your addicted friend, alcoholic girlfriend or alcoholic boyfriend.

Find Alcohol Addiction Help for a Friend

Do you believe that a friend is addicted? Call our toll-free helpline to learn more about identifying alcohol addiction, staging an intervention or arranging rehab treatment. Calls are completely confidential, and we are here for you 24 hours a day.

Alcoholism recovery doesn’t happen overnight. However, there are a few general tips that can help make recovering easier and lessen your chances of relapsing. Helping a loved one who suffers from alcoholism may be your top priority since addicts are often unable to recover alone. If an intervention is necessary, know that rehab treatment options can provide a firm foundation for recovery.

General Tips for Alcoholism Recovery

• Be committed. You need to take charge in your own recovery for any lasting change to take place. This means throwing out all the alcohol in your home and announcing to your family and friends the goals you’ve set for yourself to stop drinking. Even if you mess up, keep trying to obtain a long-term sobriety.
• Avoid people, places, events, and activities associated with your drinking habit.
• Get a firm foundation in a rehab that specializes in integrated holistic treatments and is qualified to treat Dual Diagnosis patients. This approach reaches the whole person – emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, and psychological aspects.
• Get support. Find a local support group or national organization (AA) to open up with about how alcoholism affects your life and the lives of those around you.
• Stay busy. Look for healthy ways to occupy your time, energy, attention and money. Hobbies, such as painting or cooking, or physical activities can work as outlets during alcoholism recovery.
• Continue treatments even after you get out of primary inpatient/outpatient rehab. Follow up with some form of aftercare.

How to Help Someone Overcome Alcoholism

If you have a friend or family member in treatment for alcoholism, or if someone close to you has just gotten out of rehab, you may be wondering how you can help him recover from alcoholism. You can attend support group meetings with your loved one to show your support. You could also avoid drinking around your loved one and help keep him away from relapse triggers by suggesting restaurants or social events that don’t involve alcohol. Keep in touch with your loved one’s sponsor and encourage your friend or family member to continue treatments. Always fight the isolation that overcomes recovering alcoholics by reaching out to them with words of support. If your loved one has been unwilling to accept treatments, maybe an intervention is necessary.

Alcohol Intervention Tips

• Seek the professional help of an experienced alcoholism interventionist
• Have a positive attitude – not pitying or condemning
• Prepare what you will say, who will be present, when and where the intervention should take place before the actual intervention. Do NOT try to improvise this
• Research and choose a qualified rehab center beforehand. Have the alcoholic’s bags packed so she can’t second guess her decision
• Choose a time when the alcoholic is most likely to be sober
• Follow up throughout treatments and even after rehab

Alcohol Rehab Help

Our helpline is open 24 hours a day and completely toll free, so finding help is made as easy as possible. We want to talk with you about treatment options for you or your loved one. Financial help is also offered through payment plans and even insurance benefits that may cover the costs of rehab. Call today to find out more information about addiction recovery.

Celebrations, parties and social events can be challenging times for a recovering alcoholic. Many social gatherings and celebrations will involve alcohol. Well-meaning people who are not aware of your addiction and your ongoing efforts to remain sober may encourage you to drink or question your decision not to. If you are new to recovery and have not been faced with refusing alcohol in public, celebrations can be a time of stress. Even if you have been in recovery for years, parties can provide unexpected pressures and temptations. Knowing how to avoid drinking at social events can let you stay sober and still celebrate.

Strategies for Avoiding Drinking at Parties

The most obvious way to avoid drinking at parties is not to go to parties, but alcohol addiction recovery shouldn’t limit your life, and you can’t always avoid social gatherings. The party might be work-related and important to your job security or advancement. It might be important to a family member that you attend. It might just be a great party and you don’t want to miss it. Alcohol is prevalent in our society and you will encounter it unless you choose to isolate yourself socially. If you want to live a full life, you need to be prepared to be around alcohol and be able to avoid the temptation to relapse. The following are some strategies to help you avoid drinking at parties:

• If you feel comfortable doing so, be up front about your alcoholism, your recovery and your ongoing efforts to remain sober
• Attend the event with someone who supports your recovery
• Make up your mind in advance that you are not going to drink
• Anticipate that people will offer you alcohol or question your decision not to drink, and have responses ready
• Have a glass of something non-alcoholic in your hand, as people are less likely to offer you a drink if you already have one
• Remember that you don’t need to drink to have fun at a party and will often have more fun if you are sober and clear headed and have more energy
• Participate in activities that don’t involve alcohol such as dancing, singing karaoke or joining conversations

Coping with the Temptation to Drink

If you fear that you may relapse or drink if you attend a celebration, do the following:

• Contact a trusted loved one or recovery professional and tell them you are concerned for your recovery
• Remind yourself of the work you have done to get this far in your recovery
• Remind yourself why you want to remain sober
• Recommit to your continued sobriety
• Don’t go to the party, if you don’t trust your sobriety

Support for Continued Alcohol Addiction Recovery

If you are ready to stop drinking or need help remaining sober, call our toll-free helpline. We are here for you 24 hours a day, so there is no wrong time to call. We can provide tips for avoiding drinking, listen to your concerns or recommend the best professional resources for you. Please call now.

A functional alcoholic is someone who is physically addicted to alcohol but still manages to lead a somewhat normal life. Functional alcoholics will work, pay their bills and complete personal and professional obligations. Friends and relatives may not notice any problematic behavior. Employers may be satisfied with the person’s work. Even if the functional alcoholic is aware that his or her drinking may be excessive, he or she will still believe that alcohol consumption is under control.

Alcoholism Is Unhealthy

Even if your drinking has not caused any obvious problems like an arrest for driving under the influence or loss of a job, chronic alcohol consumption causes health problems. Cirrhosis of the liver is common among alcoholics, and alcohol consumption is linked to certain types of cancer. You are also at risk for causing motor vehicle or in-home accidents. No one is immune from the consequences of long-term alcohol abuse.

Signs of Alcoholism

Common signs of alcoholism include the following:

• Drinking every day
• Starting the day with a drink
• Drinking continually throughout the day
• Trying unsuccessfully to stop drinking
• Trying to cut back alcohol intake but finding it difficult to do
• Having trouble stopping after one or two drinks
• Friends or family members express concern about your drinking
• A doctor has expressed concern about your drinking
• Medical problems caused by drinking
• Experiencing blackouts or periods of memory loss
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, irritability or delirium tremens if you stop drinking

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped is a sure sign of addiction to any drug, and should be seen as a red flag that you do indeed have a problem.

Ending Functional Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a serious life threatening disease that requires professional treatment. Just because you can hold down a job and have never been arrested for DUI does not mean that your addiction is not damaging your health. Even if your drinking seems manageable now, it will only lead to greater drinking and related issues in the future.

Professional treatment for alcoholism offers your best chance at a healthy and happy life. A good treatment program will include medically supervised detox services to make you as comfortable as possible during this process. It will also include counseling to address root causes of addiction as well as behavioral issues associated with alcoholism and any co-occurring mental health issues, and long term therapy to teach methods for achieving and maintaining sobriety.

Need Help with Drinking?

If you are concerned about your drinking, call our toll-free helpline. We can help you identify functional alcoholism or find services to address alcohol abuse problems. If you are interested in getting sober, we can help. We are here 24 hours a day, so please call now.