Alcohol is a legal depressant, a liquid obtained by fermentation of carbohydrates by yeast or by distillation. There are many different types of alcohol, but Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is the type of alcohol that is used to make alcoholic beverages.
When Alcohol Is Not a Problem
The use of alcohol may not become a problem when used moderately. Moderate use of alcohol is defined as up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people. A “drink” is defined as 12 oz. of beer or a wine cooler, a 5 oz. glass of wine, or 1.5 oz. of 80-proof distilled spirits.
The NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) states that moderate alcohol use may be beneficial to users. Studies have shown that moderate drinkers are less likely to die from one form of heart disease than are people who do not drink any alcohol or who drink more. It is believed that the effects of these smaller amounts of alcohol help protect against heart disease by changing the blood’s chemistry, thus reducing the risk of blood clots in the heart’s arteries.
When Alcohol Is a Problem
Alcohol abuse happens for many reasons, but individuals can regain control of their lives and learn to live without using alcohol as a crutch or escape. Unfortunately, many individuals are unable to accept permanent separation from alcohol and continually try to have one drink or two, which restarts the cycle of addiction and quickly leads to self-destructive behaviors. An alcohol rehabilitation program can show individuals how and why they can live permanently without alcohol. People who should not drink include the following:
- Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- People who plan to drive or engage in other activities that require alertness and skill, such as using high-speed machinery
- People taking certain over-the-counter medications
- People with medical conditions that can be made worse by drinking
- Recovering alcoholics
- People under the age of 21
What happens when a person shouldn’t drink but can’t stop? Our alcohol rehabilitation center can help. We do not simply deal with the physical behavior of drinking. We approach the problem of alcohol dependence holistically. This means that our patients not only learn the reasons they turn to alcohol, but they also discover effective ways of handling problems and emotions so that they no longer need substances to cope with life, relationships, and daily ups and downs. Getting oneself to alcohol rehab takes courage and a strong desire to change. We recognize this, and we treat our patients with the respect and care they deserve.
We offer an affordable substance abuse treatment program, in California’s coastal Orange County area for alcoholics to help them begin the recovery process. The Discovery House is a leading quality of care facility on the West Coast with an outstanding clinical staff.
