According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly 15 million men and women aged 12 and older experienced alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2019. And women account for nearly 40% of those suffering from AUD. Sadly, only around 10% will seek help for their addiction in an alcohol rehab program.
Hammocks on the Edisto is a women’s-only alcohol rehab center near Charleston, South Carolina, that specializes in helping women seeking help with addiction. We combine behavioral therapy and individual, group, and family counseling to give women the greatest chance of beating their addiction and maintaining sobriety. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction and ready to make a real, lasting change, call 833.793.0191 today to speak with our staff about our women’s alcohol rehab center and how to help an alcoholic.
Understanding Alcohol Addiction and Its Effect on Your Body
Alcohol is one of the most misused legal substances available today. While research has shown that one or two drinks a day will not harm you, it is easy for one or two glasses a day to turn into three or more. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans indicate that to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol, women should drink no more than one glass of alcohol per day.
It is crucial that people understand the side effects of alcohol addiction so that they might better recognize the signs of addiction and help individuals who do not believe that they have a problem. Alcohol addiction affects a person in multiple ways, including:
- Cognitive decline, including memory loss, blackouts, and hallucinations
- Changing behavior, including exhibiting increasingly risky behavior
- Slurred speech
- Digestive issues, including stomach cramps and frequent diarrhea
- Numbness in extremities
- Pancreatitis
- Liver damage
- Infertility
- Congenital disabilities
- Malnutrition
- Cancer
- Diabetes
Many people who think of themselves as “social drinkers” in fact drink far more regularly than they would often like to admit. As a result, they are putting themselves at risk.
How Can You Help an Alcoholic?
Learning how to help an alcoholic can save the life of a friend or loved one. If you know someone suffering from alcohol addiction who refuses to acknowledge it and to seek help, there are several things you can do.
- Talk with your friend about their drinking in a caring and compassionate way. Don’t accuse or blame them. Sympathize and let them know you are worried about their drinking and discuss ways to get help.
- Make them aware of the dangers of drinking. Many people think they can handle more than the daily recommended amount without risk of harm, but they are mistaken.
- Make sure they understand their options. Of the millions of individuals who do not get the help they need, many fail to do so because they do not know where to start. A little research can go a long way.
When in doubt, it is always an option to call an addiction treatment center like Hammocks on the Edisto for advice and information. Reach out to us at 833.793.0191 today.
Learn More at Hammocks on the Edisto
At Hammocks on the Edisto, we approach addiction recovery with a combination of evidence-based treatment modalities and more holistic, patient-centered approaches. Our experienced staff will make you feel comfortable discussing your condition as they formulate an effective treatment plan for your alcohol addiction.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction and wants help, call 833.793.0191 today to learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment program near Charleston, South Carolina.
- “Alcohol Facts and Statistics” – National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Awareness
- “2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans” – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hammocks on the Edisto in Jacksonboro, South Carolina, our women’s recovery center provides individualized, holistic addiction treatment for women over the age of 18. We offer a safe and supportive environment where we treat addiction as a chronic disease, not an isolated event. We tailor each woman’s treatment based on her unique needs, with low patient-to-therapist ratios and a maximum of 15 residents.