Recognizing the Stages of Alcohol Addiction
The stages of alcohol addiction are craving, physical dependence, tolerance, and loss of control. Alcoholism is a destructive and degenerative disease, both physically and mentally.
Alcoholism: The First Stage
During this first stage, drinking has become a means of emotional escape. This includes escape from reality, inhibitions, problems, and life in general. It is a way to emotionally escape, where there are no cares, concerns or responsibilities. Early in the stages of alcohol addiction, a person begins to depend on the mood-altering effects of alcohol. Drinking makes the person feel good.
It is also interesting to note that another characteristic of the first stage is a slow and gradual increase in tolerance. An individual will need to drink more and more amounts of alcohol to get that special high or feel the buzz.
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Drug Abuse Treatments
As treatment of drug abuse should suit the specific needs of the individual concerned, there is no one treatment that can be used in all cases. The choice of treatment also depends on which drug is being abused. Psychological therapies, such as behavior therapy, and medication to help the individual with withdrawal symptoms are components of the treatment program. The areas that may deserve special attention during treatment include detoxification, i.e., the process of stopping the drug while coping with physical addiction, relapse prevention and long-term rehabilitation.
Behavior therapies generally include counseling, psychotherapy, support groups, or family therapy. Medications assist in suppressing the withdrawal symptoms and drug craving, and in blocking the effects of drugs.
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