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Alcohol dependence is a serious disease. It is chronic, meaning that it cannot be cured, and fatal. While few alcoholics actually die from an overdose of alcohol, most do from diseases that result from heavy drinking. Alcohol’s effects on the body include heart and liver disease, damage to the pancreas that can lead to diabetes, and many other fatal conditions.

Alcoholism is also a disease of the mind, though, with one symptom being denial of reality. This state of mind makes an alcoholic believe that mounting problems in life are not due to alcohol consumption, even when family and friends insist that they are. And being that alcoholics can be very manipulative, the percentage that seeks treatment remains very low.

In rare cases, a simple request of the individual to seek treatment will work. But for most, even with the alcoholic admitting there is a problem, alcohol treatment will remain on the “back burner” until serious financial, relationship, or health issues occur. Often, an intervention is needed to force action.

Sadly, too many alcoholics destroy everything in their lives for the sake of alcohol and end up alone, broke, and even homeless. The fear of what will happen if they don’t drink alcohol is greater than the pain of the losses they suffered.

Anyone with alcohol dependence can recover. The time investment only needs to be a few days of alcohol detox in a treatment center offering medical detoxification, followed by outpatient or short-term residential treatment. A 12 step program of recovery, like Alcoholics Anonymous, can help maintain sobriety after treatment.

No group is immune to the disease. It affects men and women; adolescents, college students, and seniors; Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, Caucasians, and all other races; and the homeless to CEOs. Everyone with alcohol dependence suffers from the same withdrawal symptoms and the same ultimate fate if they don’t seek treatment.

The best way to avoid alcoholism related health problems is to get treatment at the earliest signs of alcohol abuse. Occasional binge drinking is negative behavior that can lead to alcohol dependence. An invisible line is crossed when an individual becomes preoccupied with the thought of drinking alcohol at times of abstinence.

It is a good idea to get information when you are unsure if you or a loved one has a problem with alcohol. A phone call is free, and you might prevent future problems and maybe even save a life.

Tarzana Treatment Centers offers specialized treatment programs to address the various aspects of alcohol dependence and recovery, including alcohol detox. We provide alcohol treatment in the San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley, Long Beach, Reseda and Northridge. Please call us for alcohol or drug treatment at 888-777-8565 or contact us here.

Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County and Orange County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley, and in Santa Ana.