.jpg)
Understanding Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol is everywhere in our culture. Whether it’s happy hours, wedding toasts, or weekend barbecues, drinking feels normal and harmless for most people.
However, for millions of Americans, alcohol has become something much more dangerous. What started as social drinking can quickly turn into alcohol addiction, a serious medical condition that affects every part of someone’s life.
Alcohol addiction affects people from all backgrounds, ages, and walks of life across Kansas. The good news? Recovery is possible with the right support and treatment.
What Is Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction, also called alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a medical condition where someone can't control their drinking despite harmful consequences.1
It's different from casual drinking or even occasional heavy drinking. Active addiction involves physical dependence, psychological cravings, and continued use, even when it's causing serious problems in your life.
Alcohol affects your brain's reward system by flooding it with dopamine. Over time, your brain stops producing normal amounts of this "feel-good" chemical on its own. This creates a cycle where the body needs more alcohol to feel the same effects, which is when tolerance and physical dependence develop.2
Causes and Risk Factors of Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol addiction often doesn't have a single cause. Instead, multiple factors work together to increase someone's risk of developing symptoms, including:
Genetics
If alcoholism runs in your family, you're also at a higher risk. In fact, research shows that genetics account for about 60% of alcohol addiction risk.3
However, genetics aren't destiny – just because your family member has developed addiction doesn’t mean that you will. Our team at Arista Recovery can work with you to determine the best course forward for healing and overall treatment to reduce the likelihood.
Mental Health Conditions
People with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder often use alcohol to self-medicate their symptoms.4
This can quickly create a dangerous cycle, as alcohol might temporarily relieve anxiety or depression, but it actually makes these conditions worse over time.
Social and Cultural Factors
Our social environment has a significant impact on potentially developing addiction. For example, peer pressure and easy access to alcohol both contribute to risk.
Starting to drink at a young age can also significantly increase alcohol addiction risk. Research shows that those who begin drinking before age 15 are much more likely to develop AUD later in life.5
The Physical and Mental Health Consequences of Alcohol
Alcohol addiction can quickly take a heavy toll on your entire body.
In the short term, you're looking at serious dangers like alcohol poisoning, blackouts, and accidents. Just a single binge drinking session can dangerously slow your heart rate and breathing.
It's a stark reality that people die from alcohol poisoning more often than many realize.
Then, the long-term physical effects are equally as devastating. We're talking about severe liver disease, heart problems, brain damage, and a much higher risk of various cancers.
Your liver especially takes the brunt of the damage, with conditions like fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis often becoming fatal without treatment.
Mental and Social Impacts of Alcohol
Alcohol use disorder often worsens depression and anxiety, leads to intense mood swings, and significantly increases the risk of suicide. What might start as a way to cope with emotional pain often ends up making those mental health problems far worse.
Alcohol addiction also puts immense strain on marriages, damages the bond between parents and children, and can completely destroy friendships. Trust simply breaks down when addiction becomes the top priority.
Care and Healing at Arista Recovery
Our drug and alcohol rehab team at Arista Recovery is here to help make sure you and your loved ones get the care and support you need, no matter if you’re struggling physically, mentally, or socially.
We believe lasting recovery is built through healing relationships.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
Recognizing the signs of alcohol addiction as early as possible can save lives. Here are the warning signs to watch for:
Behavioral Changes
These are often the most noticeable signs and can include:
- Drinking alone or in secret.
- Hiding alcohol around the house.
- Neglecting work, family, or personal responsibilities.
- Continuing to drink despite the consequences.
- Making excuses for drinking.
Many individuals showcase many of these signs, especially as addiction worsens.
Physical Symptoms
These often develop as addiction continues to progress. These may be a bit harder to spot unless you’re in close proximity with the individual, but some physical symptoms include:
- Needing more alcohol to feel the same effects (tolerance).
- Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking (shaking, sweating, nausea).
- Bloodshot eyes and poor coordination.
- Changes in sleep patterns and appetite.
Psychological Signs
Lastly, mental and psychological signs can take an intense toll on the individual. These often include cravings for alcohol, denial about the severity of drinking, guilt and shame about alcohol use, and defensiveness when others express concern.
The sooner someone gets help, the better their chances of recovery and the less damage alcohol will cause to their health and relationships.
The Importance of Medical Detox
Unlike withdrawal from many other substances, stopping alcohol suddenly can cause seizures and even death. This is especially true for people who have been drinking heavily for extended periods.6
Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms individuals may experience can include:
- Tremors and shaking
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens (confusion, fever, rapid heartbeat)
Experience Supportive Detox at Arista Recovery
Medical detox provides 24/7 supervision to keep you safe during withdrawal. Our medical team at Arista Recovery's Paola rehab center monitors vital signs and provides medications to ease symptoms.
The detox process typically lasts 3-7 days, depending on the severity of addiction and individual factors. We make the process as comfortable as possible while ensuring your safety.
We provide evidence-based care delivered with heart, which means we combine medical expertise with compassionate support throughout detox. That way, you can be sure that you’re getting the best care for your symptoms.
Treatment Options for Alcohol Addiction at Arista Recovery
Recovery from addiction requires comprehensive treatment that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of the disease.
At Arista Recovery, we’ve got you covered, every step of the way.
Inpatient Treatment
Our residential program at our Paola drug rehab provides 24/7 support in a peaceful, healing environment. Individuals will live on our campus while participating in intensive therapy and educational programs.
Inpatient treatment includes:
- Individual therapy sessions
- Group therapy and peer support
- Family therapy and education
- Medical care and medication management
- Innovative therapies like equine therapy, art therapy, and horticulture therapy
We will work with you to create the best treatment plan for inpatient care while you’re with us.
Outpatient Programs
Our Overland Park location offers both a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (IOP). These flexible programs allow people to receive treatment while maintaining work or family responsibilities.
Outpatient care includes individual counseling, group therapy, family sessions, and ongoing medical support.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT can be incredibly helpful for alcohol addiction. Medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram can reduce cravings, block alcohol's effects, or create unpleasant reactions to drinking.
Our medical team carefully evaluates each person to determine if MAT is appropriate for their situation.
Behavioral Therapies
We will also integrate evidence-based therapies that are proven to help with addiction. These often include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help identify and change thought patterns that lead to drinking.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to teach emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- Motivational interviewing (MI) to help you find your own motivation to change.
- Trauma-informed care to address any underlying trauma that contributes to addiction.
Addressing Dual Diagnosis in Alcohol Addiction
Many people struggling with addiction also have mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. This is called dual diagnosis.7
At Arista Recovery, our dual diagnosis program provides integrated care that addresses both alcohol addiction and mental health conditions at the same time.
You don't recover alone, and neither should your loved ones. Our family program helps educate and support family members who may also be struggling with the effects of their loved one's addiction.
Alcohol Addiction in Kansas: A Local Perspective
Kansas faces significant challenges with alcohol addiction. About 17.4% of Kansas adults report binge drinking or heavy drinking.8
Rural Kansas especially faces some unique challenges when it comes to alcohol use disorder, such as:
- Limited access to specialized treatment.
- Longer travel distances to care.
- Stigma around seeking help.
- Fewer resources for families.
Our compassionate, multidisciplinary team at Arista Recovery serves families throughout Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. Our locations in Paola and Overland Park are easily accessible from Kansas City and surrounding areas. This way, we can be sure that anyone who needs care gets the support they deserve.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
Alcohol addiction is a serious medical condition, but it's also treatable. With proper care and support, people recover from alcohol addiction every day.
The first step is often the hardest, and admitting you need help takes courage. However, it's also the most important step you'll ever take.
Our Treatment Options at Arista Recovery
At Arista Recovery, we understand the challenges of alcohol addiction, and our compassionate team provides the medical expertise and emotional support needed for successful recovery.
Our Paola facility offers medical detox and residential treatment in a peaceful, healing environment, while our Overland Park location provides flexible outpatient options for continuing care.
This full continuum of care ensures that you have a stress-free recovery process, all the way from detox to aftercare options.
Get in Touch Today
Don't let alcohol addiction control your life any longer. Our caring team is available 24/7 to answer questions and help you take the first step toward healing.
Your family deserves hope. You deserve recovery. And we're here to help you achieve both.
When you're ready to heal, we're ready to help. Connect with Arista Recovery now and start your journey to freedom from alcohol addiction.
Resources
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6826820/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7748121/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6175215/
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/underage-drinking
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/mental-health-issues-alcohol-use-disorder-and-common-co-occurring-conditions
- https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/ExcessDrink/KS
