The bottle and you: Alcohol is know by two other names: ethyl alcohol and ethanol. It affects every part of your body from the moment of consumption. Alcohol is a depressant that is absorbed through the stomach and small intestines, directly into the bloodstream. Your liver then metabolizes the alcohol. While your central nervous system feels the effects of the depressant. This reaction can happen from one drink and in about 10 minutes you can begin to feel the effects to your body.

What kind of drinker are you?

Are you a moderate drinker, a heavy drinker, or an alcoholic? According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans a female moderate drinker is defined as a 1-drink-per-day while 2-drinks for men. A heavy drinker is defined as women who consume 8 drinks or more per week. While men who consume 15 drinks or more per week are in the heavy drinker spectrum. Alcoholics are people whose drinking causes trouble in their lives. This could be in the form of problems in their relationships, school, work, social activities, personal feelings, and how you think.

What is Binge Drinking?

What is binge drinking? College students are amongst the highest group to consume alcohol at binge drinking rate. Binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol consumption at a BAC level of 0.08% or higher. This pattern is established by having 5 or more drinks in about 2 hours for men and 4 or more drinks for women.

What are the Risks?

What are the risks? Heavy and binge drinkers increase their risks of serious problems in their future. The bottle and you cause serious problems. Some examples include:

• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
• Brain damage and other issues to an unborn child for pregnant women
• Car accidents resulting in serious injuries or death
• Suicide
• Liver disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart muscle damage also known as Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
• Sudden death if you already have cardiovascular disease
• Pancreatitis
• Cancers in the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and breast cancer.

How can I know if I have an alcohol disorder?

Are the bottle and you close? If I drink excessively do I have an alcohol disorder? Drinking excessively does not necessarily mean you have an alcohol use disorder or AUD. Most excessive drinkers do not fit the criteria of AUD. Before the term AUD was used by professionals the common names it was known as was alcohol dependence and alcoholism. AUD is a chronic disease. For a diagnosis seek professional help. Some signs of severe alcohol use disorder include:

• The inability to limit drinking
• Continuing to drink regardless of personal or professional problems
• Needing to consume more to get an effect
• Wanting to drink so much that it is the only thing you can think of.

In Summary:

First, alcohol consumption takes roughly 10 times to begin taking affect over your entire body. Second, there are different levels of drinking and they do not necessarily mean you have a problem. But you could develop one after long periods of time. Third, binge drinking is a pattern that can easily be established. Fourth, heavy drinking increases your risks of developing health issues in your future. Fifth, AUD is the correct term to use. We know it may be hard to keep up with the changes in medicine, but we will keep you updated.

Embracia Health focuses on the mental health and addiction rehabilitation and recovery. The month of September is known as the National Recovery Month. Above all, our mission is to be there to help you, not to judge you. Our clinic takes prides in treating a wide range of addiction problems in a judgment free environment. Recovery is a process, and our clinic focuses on detoxification, rehabilitation and maintenance. Also, our clinic focuses in the practice of using medicine to aide in the detoxification process.

Consequently, this month of September is used to promote recovery education in the United States. Recovery month is also used to celebrate those who are taking part in recovery programs for substance abuse. Patients who have succeeded in recovery or those who are a year or ten into maintaining their sobriety. Recovery is a process of change. You are deciding to change your health, habits, and mental wellness. All to improve your life and that of loved ones. Deciding to go through this process is a very important and brave decision. Choosing to go through detoxification, rehabilitation, and maintenance can be an incredibly difficult and long process. Furthermore, having a support system is an important part of the detoxification process and an integral part of the rehabilitation maintenance process.

Detoxification Process:

Detoxification is hard. We believe that detoxification should be tailored to what the patient’s needs are in the least disruptive way. Embracia Health uses new detox protocols and medications to ease symptoms of withdrawal. We believe in customizing a detoxification plan based on what will benefit the patients needs best. By creating a safe and supported environment for patients to feel safe and supported. Our professional team will evaluate and advise a treatment plan to follow for detoxification in two forms: inpatient or outpatient protocols based on a variety of factors. For more outside information, follow the link. There are a variety of protocol options available to patients and they are all adjustable to best accommodate the person and their comfort. Some of the most common symptoms of withdrawal include:

Common Symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Depression
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Muscle pain
• Difficulty sleeping

Behavioral Symptoms:

• Agitation
• Crying
• Excitability
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Self-harm

Psychological Symptoms:

• Delirium
• Depression
• Hallucination
• Paranoia
• Severe anxiety

Recovery, Rehabilitation and Maintenance

Consequently, we understand that recovery often comes with a negative stigma and it can be discouraging to seek out help. For that reason mental health and substance abuse are very real diseases affecting millions of Americans. Rehabilitation and maintenance are long-term processes. Above all, our clinic is equipped to support you through the entire process. In rehabilitation and maintenance you will work with our professionals to work on ways to learn to control your cravings using medication. This method of therapy uses low doses of opioid-based medications under professional care to repair your damaged neuro-pathways allowing the brain to heal and recover. Finally, you will learn new skills to control your habits or impulses that lead you to seek out substances.