| |
- What is Alcoholism?
- Alcoholism Effects on the Body
- Nervous System Effects
- Development & Progression of Drinking Symptoms
- Counter Conditioning Treatment
- Schick Shadel Alcohol Treatment
 |
What is Alcoholism?
Alcohol addiction or Alcoholism is a disease that appears, in many cases, to be a genetically transmitted biochemical defect. However in other instances of alcoholism, addiction appears to be caused by overwhelming bombardment of the body. These repeated episodes of heavy drinking result in the incapacity to handle alcohol normally. Psychological and/or social pressures may aggravate alcoholism. Also, alcoholism is characterized by a typical progression of alcoholic drinking behavior. This requires an average of twelve-and-one-half years of drinking to reach fully developed, overt alcoholism symptoms, and an average of 18 years to reach the stage of alcoholism deterioration. Alcoholism is seen most frequently in people of Eskimo or American Indian descent. Among those of Caucasian descent, the Irish, French and Scandinavians exhibit a far higher incidence of alcoholism than other European population groups. Alcoholism effects on the body are characterized by physical damage in all systems of the body; namely the cardiovascular system, the nervous system and the liver. In these three areas the damage from alcoholism may eventually prove fatal without treatment.
|
 |
Effects of Alcoholism on the Gastrointestinal System
The gastrointestinal system is prominent among the organ systems damaged by alcohol. We may see fatal ulcer problems (bleeding or perforated ulcers), fatal pancreas problems (acute pancreatitis), or an increased incidence of carcinoma of the esophagus. However, by all accounts, the liver deserves the most attention when discussing alcoholic damage to the gastrointestinal system. Alcoholism begins a vicious cycle called cirrhosis of the liver. In the first step of cirrhosis, the liver cells are injured and accumulate tiny droplets of fat (fatty infiltration or fatty degeneration). As more and more cells suffer fatty infiltration, the liver becomes enlarged. If the alcohol addiction cycle continues, scars continue to form until the process becomes irreversible. As cirrhosis of the liver progresses, the alcoholic faces more and more severe health problems including:
- Build-up of "poisons" in the bloodstream (ammonia and bilirubin)
- Accumulation of estrogen in the bloodstream and possible impotence
- Medical staff is available 24-hours-a-day.
- Development of esophageal varices
- Swelling of ankles and legs
- Development of ascites (accumulated fluid in the abdominal cavity)
- Eventual death
Effects of Alcoholism on the Cardiovascular System
Living the life of an alcohol addict is hard work and the body suffers. There is complete unanimity of opinion that alcoholism is very bad for the heart. Not only does the alcoholic suffer increased risk of heart disease, but they may also sustain direct damage to the heart from alcohol. Alcoholic drinking results in increased lipid levels (blood fats) that may result in arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), increased risk of stroke and possible early death. Another possible development is alcoholic cardiomyopathy, an injury to the energy-producing portion of the heart muscle that may lead to death from heart failure.
|
 |
Effects of Alcoholism on the Nervous System
Damage to the nervous system with alcoholism has been recognized for many years. A possible neurological effect of alcoholism is the development of diseases caused by vitamin B deficiencies, such as alcoholic poly-neuropathy and Wernicke's hemorrhagic encephalopathy. Overall mental functioning can be impaired also. Some of the ancient physicians recognized an impairment of overall mental functioning in those who drank excessively. Recent brain cell studies suggest that an alcoholic literally kills off brain cells at a more rapid pace than normal. If a person destroys brain cells rapidly enough, and for a long enough period of time, eventually the "cell bank" of reserves will be depleted. This person will then begin to show impaired mental functioning. This appears to be the sequence of events observed in the EEG tracings and clinical observations of alcoholics.
|
|
|
How Do Drinking Symptoms Develop?
Researchers have confirmed an easily recognizable, time-ordered sequence of drinking symptoms that take place in the typical alcoholic. This progression is a step-by-step pattern, with one phase merging almost imperceptibly into the next. It often takes months or years to go from one step to the next. The progression occurs in the same form in people of high or low I.Q., much or little education and in any station in life.
The Progression Of Drinking Symptoms |
|
Developmental Zone |
Social Drinking
Once a week
Drinking faster than associates
Drinking more than associates |
Doubles
Memory blackouts
More drunk than associates |
|
Zone of Overt Alcoholism |
Loss of control
Weekends and week days
Protects supply
Before breakfast |
Solitary drinking
Tremors
Decreased tolerance |
|
Zone of Deterioration |
Delirium Tremens(DT)
Vague fears
Sleeplessness |
Avitaminosis
Death |
|
|
|
 |
Fast and Effective Therapy
Counter Conditioning works fast and it works effectively. Our patients can begin recovery without that immediate craving to drink or use. The doctors and nurses providing the aversion treatment, monitor the level of aversion continuously through treatment and in the follow-up sessions.
About 20 percent of addicts have at least two problems: the biochemical problem of addiction, and a psychiatric problem. This is about the same percentage of psychiatric problems seen in non-users. Both problems need to be treated to achieve success, but all too often only the psychiatric problem receives attention. Many have died of their addictions while futilely trying to find out “why they drink” or “why they use.“
A thorough detoxification followed by a comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessment and ‘differential diagnosis’ can ascertain what issues exist so that all the issues can be addressed. Mental illness and chemical dependency are both illnesses of the brain.
Counter conditioning treatment at Schick Shadel is provided to individuals addicted to alcohol, marijuana, opiates (oxy, oxycodone, OxyContin, including other prescription pain killers), Vicodin and crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth or other amphetamines). Read more about Schick Shadel's Counter Conditioning Program »
|
|
Counter Conditioning and Rehabilitation Interviews
The Alcohol Treatment Program includes the use of behavioral modification techniques, individual counseling, education, and relaxation therapies. The behavior modification techniques may include chemical Counter Conditioning (nausea based) or electrical (faradic) Counter Conditioning. Cognitive behavioral techniques are applied to assist in the development of an aversion and to correct self-defeating thoughts and feelings.
Many years of research at Schick Shadel Hospital has established that Counter Conditioning (retraining the memory against the pleasurable aspects of using alcohol) in combination with standardized treatment produces excellent results. Schick Shadel Hospital has the #1 Success Rate for alcohol addiction treatment. Over many decades of treatment experience, the expected complete abstinence rate after completion of all recommended treatment at one year is 70 percent. This program provides the foundation for our treatment of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and prescription opioids.
Alcohol treatment consists of alternating days of Counter Conditioning (at least 5) under medical supervision and restorative, conscious sedation and relaxation therapies (5 total). The conscious sedation treatments permit our medical staff to monitor the level of conditioning that is occurring, and identify any potential counseling issues. Medical staff are in the hospital daily and accessible 24 hours per day.
Read more about Schick Shadel's Alcohol Treatment Program »
|
|
Find us on Facebook
View Schick Shadel Brochure
