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Alcoholism in MA is a dangerous disease. Alcohol also affects millions of Americans, and unfortunately, since drinking is not only seen but promoted as socially acceptable, it will continue to be a problem in the future. Fortunately, as time goes on, experts are learning more about this disease called alcoholism or alcohol use disorder, including all the different ways it can be treated so that people can get their lives back.
Unfortunately, most people don’t seek treatment for their alcohol addiction in Massachusetts until it’s gotten to a dangerous point. They may have lost their job, their home, or their family. Perhaps they’ve just gotten so wrapped up in drinking that they feel their life is about to fall apart. Whatever the case, people addicted to alcohol often succumb to depressive feelings, leading to the assumption that there may not be helpful for them.
Worse yet are those who don’t feel they have a drinking gal problem. Thousands of people die each year from alcoholism, either due to related diseases like cirrhosis or cardiovascular disease or due to withdrawals from alcohol when they try to quit. Alcohol is one of the few substances more dangerous to withdraw from than it is to use in the first place. Withdrawing from alcohol can lead to death, if you feel like you are withdrawing from alcohol, call 911 right away for medical attention.
For most people who are struggling with alcoholism in MA, the ideal solution will be to find an addiction treatment plan in Massachusetts that combines the necessary medical and detox services with mental health support, including things like behavioral therapy, counseling and support groups, and personalized psychiatric care, if deemed necessary.
Medically supervised withdrawal is a must for severe alcoholism. People who have been drinking heavily for more than 5-10 years and suddenly stop are susceptible to various problems. The most dangerous of those include the withdrawal process, namely the DTs, as they’re known. Delirium Tremens, the formal name for this condition, is marked by confusion, hallucinations, seizures, chest pain, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness. As many as 25% of those who experience the DTs die.
This condition and the withdrawal from alcohol, in general, can also result in dangerously low potassium levels, electrolyte levels, and phosphate levels, which all have serious consequences. The phosphate loss can lead to issues with normal breathing functions and other muscle weakness. Low electrolytes can lead to arrhythmia and even heart attacks that can cause sudden death. So, medically supervised detox is a must for alcoholism.
Reputable alcohol treatment centers in Massachusetts usually consider dual-diagnosis treatment. As a part of intake, they will typically screen people with a mental health questionnaire that may help point out specific mental health issues comorbid with alcoholism. Many people have turned to drink to deal with mental health problems that have gone undiagnosed or unsuccessfully treated.
Although it’s admirable that you want to quit drinking as soon as possible, you need to ensure you’re not putting yourself in danger. As you’ve seen, many risks come with stopping drinking, including all the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal and the potential risk of DTs. If you seek medical assistance, even by talking to your doctor, you will be in a much better position to call it quits.
Plus, you will have the right support and resources from day one. You will have a team dedicated to helping you overcome your alcoholism and lead a life of sobriety. Counseling, ongoing medical care, psychiatric medications, and other solutions will all be considered to come up with the best possible resolution individually.
In addition to counseling and ongoing medical care, you may want to consider other long-term support systems that you can turn to to help you stay sober. Some people join groups like AA, where they have a program and a group of peers to help them navigate it. Others prefer to stick to treatment facilities and other non-spiritual options. You’ll have to take stock of your situation, talk to your care team, and decide what will be best for you.
Of course, before you can do that, you need to reach out and seek help in the first place. If you’re struggling with alcoholism, you’re not alone. This is a disease that affects millions of people around the world. It takes courage to stand up and ask for help; this is the first step.
Reach out to Meta to learn all about our recovery options, including supervised and medical detox for alcoholism and other withdrawals. We have a team of experts dedicated to helping you get through the worst of the quitting process and get your life back.
[author] [author_image timthumb='on']/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/img-ed-480x572.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Reviewed by Ed Lepage, Executive Director
Ed Lepage completed the drug and alcohol certificate program at the University of Massachusetts Boston and has been working in the substance abuse dependency field for the past seven years. He has also worked extensively in peer recovery-based programs offering “real-world experience” to those that suffer from substance use dependency. Full Bio [/author_info] [/author]