What you need to know about addiction

Lukas Prihoda
5.4.2024

What happens when you stop drinking alcohol?

What happens after alcoholism addiction treatment?

When a person stops drinking alcohol, the body goes through a withdrawal and detoxification process. The severity of withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the individual and the amount of alcohol they were consuming.

Withdrawal symptoms: These can include tremors, sweating, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and anxiety. These symptoms typically peak within the first 24-48 hours and can last for several days.

Liver detoxification: The liver is responsible for breaking down alcohol and removing it from the body. When a person stops drinking, the liver has to work harder to clear the accumulated toxins. This can lead to inflammation and pain in the liver.

Electrolyte imbalances: Alcohol consumption can disrupt the balance of electrolytes in the body, such as potassium and sodium. When a person stops drinking, these imbalances may need to be corrected through diet or supplements.

Nutritional deficiencies: Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, such as thiamine and folate. As the body detoxifies, these deficiencies may need to be corrected through diet or supplements.

Increased appetite: Alcohol can suppress appetite, so when a person stops drinking they may experience increased hunger and cravings.

Improved sleep: Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns, so when a person stops drinking they may experience improved sleep quality and duration.

Improved mental health: Alcohol abuse can contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Once a person stops drinking, they may experience improvements in mood and overall well-being.

It is worth noting that detoxification can be dangerous and sometimes result in seizures, hallucinations, delirium tremens, and even death. It is recommended that a person detoxing from alcohol should do so under supervision.

Stage of addiction

Understanding how addictive behaviors develop can be helpful for spotting the signs and knowing when to seek addiction help. Experts believe people with addictions go through a set of stages:  

Experimentation - Addictive behavior tends to start with curiosity and the desire to try something new. Very rarely do people set out to become psychologically and physically addicted to something.

Regular use - Some people try something once and never do it again, but there are those who will actively aim to recreate the experience. At this stage, quality of life is not affected.

Increased use - What might have begun as a temporary form of relief or escape will have quickly escalated to frequent use. At this stage, warning signs start to appear and risky behavior may emerge.

Dependence - This is when the user finds they can no longer function normally or happily without taking the particular substance or carrying out an activity. Withdrawal symptoms are strong, and the user cannot give up despite the negative consequences.

Hypnotherapy for addiction

Hypnotherapy has been used to treat addiction for many years. It is a form of psychotherapy that uses hypnosis to help people gain control over their thoughts and behaviors, allowing them to break free from addictive patterns.

Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for addiction, as it helps people understand the underlying causes of their addiction and develop strategies for overcoming it.

Hypnotherapy can be used in combination with other treatments such as counseling or medication and can help people address the psychological aspects of their addiction.

Recovery from addiction requires long-term behavior change. Doing this can be difficult and is greatly helped by having a strong support system in place.

Hypnotherapy works by encouraging you to fall into a deeply relaxed state, sometimes referred to as a hypnotic trance. When you are in this state, your subconscious is more open to suggestions. This is where a hypnotherapist can help you change your perspective on addiction and help change habits, behaviors, and thought patterns that lead to addiction. Instead of feeling like overcoming addiction is impossible, hypnotherapy can help you see that it’s achievable.

Hypnotherapy can help in one session, or may require a more long-term approach - this will depend on the nature and severity of your addiction.

If you are struggling with withdrawal symptoms and added stress during your recovery, hypnotherapy can offer another layer of support, alongside other remedies such as exercise and eating a balanced diet. The process of hypnotherapy itself is very relaxing and can help you lower stress levels and help you feel better able to manage stress. As stress can often be a trigger for addictive behavior, this can make a big difference.

What causes addiction

There is no one cause, but there are several factors that can increase the risk of someone developing an addiction. These factors fall into two categories: behavioral and chemical.

Behavioral factors -Certain behavioral traits can increase the possibility of trying addictive substances or activities.

These include:

Genetics - There is evidence to suggest a genetic link to addiction. If you have a family history of addiction, you may be more likely to develop one. Certain genetic traits could also delay or speed up its progression.

Background - Traumatic experiences during childhood such as neglect or abuse can increase the risk of developing addictive behaviors. Early use of certain substances or particular activities can also be linked.

Mental health - Experts believe that people who experience anxiety and nervousness in their approach to daily life are more vulnerable to addiction. Individuals struggling to cope with stress may also lean towards addictive behavior patterns.

Chemical factors - Experts believe there is a link between the repeated use of certain substances and activities, and how the brain experiences pleasure. An addictive behavior triggers the creation of the hormone, dopamine, which causes feelings of pleasure and satisfaction (a mental 'high'). The brain remembers this rush of pleasure and wants them repeated.

Over time, repeated use of a substance or activity changes how the brain feels pleasure, so a user has to increase the dose or frequency in order to recreate the desired 'high'. When tolerance increases, withdrawal symptoms become more severe and this increases the likelihood of addiction.  

Addiction is a serious mental health issue that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterized by compulsive behavior, such as substance abuse or gambling, despite the negative consequences it can have on one's life. Understanding addiction and its causes can help individuals and families to better cope with this disorder and seek out appropriate treatment.

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What Are The 4 Levels Of Addiction?

1. Trying the substance

Most people who try drugs or engage in risky behaviors don’t become addicted. Some people can experiment with drugs or other activities and walk away without any problems. However, some people develop a physical dependence on the substance or activity. This means that their body becomes used to the drug or activity and they need it to function normally. Physical dependence can lead to addiction.

2. Regular Use & Substance Abuse

People who develop a physical dependence on a substance often start using it regularly. They may use it to cope with stress, relax, or feel good. Regular use can quickly turn into abuse. Substance abuse is when you use a substance in ways that are harmful to your health or put you in danger. Abuse can lead to addiction. However, not everyone who abuses a substance will become addicted. People who abuse substances often do so to cope with emotional or mental problems. They may be trying to escape from reality or numb their pain. Substance abuse can make these problems worse and lead to addiction.

3. Dependency & Tolerance

People who are addicted to a substance need it to function normally. They have built up a tolerance to the drug and need increasingly larger amounts to get the same effect. They may also experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit. Withdrawal can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, which makes it hard for people to break their addiction. Tolerance is when the user needs more of the drug to produce the desired effect, and dependence is when the user develops withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of use.

4. Substance Use Disorder

People with a substance use disorder have an intense craving for the drug and can’t control their use. They continue to use it despite the negative consequences. Substance use disorders can lead to addiction. This may lead to job dropouts, financial instability, relationship problems, and health issues. People with substance use disorder often need professional help to overcome their addiction. This can be difficult, but it is possible to recover from addiction. There are many resources available to help people overcome their addictions and live healthy lives.

Addiction is a serious problem that can ruin lives. It can be difficult to overcome the varying levels of addiction, but it is possible. The New Horizon Counseling Center can help you if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction. They offer a variety of services, including counseling, detoxification, and rehabilitation. With the help of professionals, you can overcome your addiction and live a healthy life. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out to New Horizon Counseling Center for help.

More about 10 benefits to staying sober https://www.getsoberprogram.com/post/10-benefits-of-staying-sober

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