Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction, commonly called alcoholism, is a disease that has four definitive symptoms:

• Cravings: the intense desire or compulsion to drink alcohol
• Loss of Control: the inability to manage one's drinking alcohol on any given occasion
• Physical Dependence: the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, nausea, shakiness and sweating when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking
• Tolerance: the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to experience the same effect

The American Medical Association has established alcohol addiction as a disease. Alcohol addiction is a chronic disease, lasting over the course of a person's lifetime. The risk of developing the disease of alcohol addiction or alcoholism is influenced by environment, genetics and lifestyle.

Alcohol addiction tends to run in families, indicating that it has a genetic link, but genetics are not the only component. Just because a person is born into a family where one or more members suffers from alcohol addiction does not mean that the person will develop the same disease; just because a person has no genetic link to alcohol addiction does not mean that he or she will not develop it. Lifestyle and environment play a huge role in this disease as well as stress, friends and how readily available alcohol is.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Lakeview Health

Lakeview Health Systems is a JCAHO accredited addiction treatment center specializing in helping people recover from drug and alcohol addiction and dual diagnosis. We are located in Jacksonville, Florida and have helped people throughout the United States achieve lasting alcoholism recovery. 

Our inpatient alcoholism treatment program employs the latest, most effective treatment strategies and techniques. Our range of services includes:

• Detox for managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms
• Individual and group therapy
• Family therapy
• Nutritional counseling and dietary oversight
• Recreational therapies
• Holistic services such as yoga and art therapy
• Aftercare planning
• Dual diagnosis program for patients with an alcohol addiction and a co-existing mental illness
• Optional programs for women only, Christians, and the GLBT community

To learn more about our alcohol addiction and dual diagnosis treatment programs, call Lakeview Health Systems now, toll-free at 1-800-231-2950. All calls are completely confidential and our caring counselors are available to assist you 24 hours a day.