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psychological disorders that often accompany addiction. You will also find information on spotting
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will find information and resources related to evidence-based treatment models, counseling and
therapy and payment and insurance options.
Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the
individual. In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer
information on outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of
care. In this section, you will find information and resources related to evidence-based
treatment models, counseling and therapy and payment and insurance options.
The recovery process doesn't end after 90 days of treatment. The transition back to
life outside of rehab is fraught with the potential for relapse. Aftercare resources such as
12-step groups, sober living homes and support for family and friends promote a life rich with
rewarding relationships and meaning.
Our community offers unique perspectives on lifelong recovery and substance use
prevention, empowering others through stories of strength and courage. From people in active
recovery to advocates who have lost loved ones to the devastating disease of addiction, our
community understands the struggle and provides guidance born of personal experience.
Alcohol abuse increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart attack and congestive heart failure, according to researchers at the University of California, San Francisco.
In a statement, senior author Dr. Gregory Marcus said his team sought to use millions of patient records to assess the characteristics that lead to cardiovascular risk. The findings indicated that excessive drinking may substantially increase a person’s risk of heart attack.
The study, published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology, drew information from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, which evaluated the health data of 14.7 million California residents aged 21 and older who had received ambulatory surgery, or emergency or inpatient medical care in the state from Jan. 1, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2009.
Among these individuals, 1.8 percent met the criteria for alcohol abuse, excessive drinking that may compromise a person’s health, interpersonal relationships or ability to work.
Researchers discovered that California residents who abused alcohol more than doubled their risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a rate higher than that caused by other risk factors, including smoking, diabetes and obesity.
Alcohol abuse was associated with a more than doubled risk of heart attack and a tripled risk of congestive heart failure. People without traditional cardiovascular risk factors are disproportionately susceptible to all three cardiovascular conditions.
Researchers estimated that the eradication of alcohol abuse could save thousands of lives in the United States.
“The risk of AF, MI, and CHF that can be attributed to alcohol abuse is large, suggesting that efforts to mitigate this addictive disease might result in substantial reductions of cardiac disease,” the study’s authors concluded.
Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
Another cardiovascular consequence of excessive drinking is alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease.
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy often occurs in people suffering from alcohol abuse. Long-term alcohol abuse weakens and thins the heart muscle, impacting its ability to pump blood. A lack of blood flow affects major body functions and can lead to heart failure and other debilitating health conditions.
This disease is most common among men aged 35 to 50. However, the condition can also strike women. People with alcoholic cardiomyopathy may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness or swelling of the legs, feet and ankles.
Alcohol abuse also is associated with hypertension, stroke and sudden death.
Alcohol Abuse in America
Alcohol abuse is a prevalent problem in the United States. Excessive drinking was associated with 88,000 deaths in the United States from 2006 to 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than half of these deaths were caused by binge drinking.
More than 16 million people aged 18 or older had an alcohol use disorder in 2014, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This includes 10.6 million men and 5.7 million women. That year, 1.5 million adults received treatment at a specialized facility for an AUD.
Alcohol abuse has indirectly affected children, as well. A 2012 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found more than 7 million children lived with a parent with alcohol problems from 2005 to 2010. That represented more than 10 percent of U.S. children.
While many teens misuse alcohol, the 2016 Monitoring the Future survey offered some encouraging results: Rates of past-year, past-month and lifetime use of alcohol among eighth-, 10th- and 12th-grade students were lower in 2016 than in 2013.
Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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Barwell, J. & Solan, M. (2015, December 22). Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy and Your Health.
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