Did you know that alcohol abuse can lower your life expectancy and impact your behavior? It’s not just your body that becomes dependent on alcohol. Your brain also becomes addicted, and this can lead to undesirable behavioral changes that focus on drinking — often to the exclusion of everything else. Learn more about the effects of alcohol on your behavior and how residential inpatient treatment at Live Free Recovery Services can help.

Alcohol Effects on the Brain

Since your emotions live in your brain, not your heart, any changes to brain chemistry can also affect personality and decision-making. Alcohol disrupts the communication pathways in your brain and influences mood, behavior and other important functions. Additionally, alcohol use disorder often leads to poor eating habits, which can lead to seizures and mental health disorders, both of which can have dire consequences on your personality.

With proper treatment and nutrition, your brain can begin to recover. Abstaining from alcohol can prevent further damage to crucial areas such as cognitive functions, memory and personality traits that make you who you are.

Alcohol Effects on Behavior

Short-term impact on your behavior includes motor impairment, slurred speech, confusion and memory loss. This can make you more prone to violent behavior, injury and accidents. In fact, alcohol plays a role in two out of five fatal vehicle accidents.

Unfortunately, heavy drinking often leads to risky behavior such as unprotected sex. This can lead to unwanted pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted decisions. As you can see, alcohol use disorder often leads to irreparable harm.

What Is Inpatient Residential Treatment?

Inpatient residential treatment provides a structured, supportive environment around the clock. Outpatient and partial hospitalization programs have their place in addiction treatment. However, if you have a long-term alcohol use disorder or have gone through recovery before, residential treatment provides your best option for long-term recovery.

After completing holistic and evidence-based therapy as part of the residential treatment program, many residents decide to stay in one of our sober living facilities for additional support. This is a great way to successfully transition back to living on your own.

Inpatient Residential Treatment Benefits

Ultimately, inpatient residential treatment brings many benefits that clients appreciate, including the following:

• 24/7 Monitoring. Our staff helps you master the coping tools needed to fight cravings and avoid relapse.
• Peer support. As well as individual therapy with your counselor, we offer group therapy, which allows you to support others in recovery and learn from their experiences.
• Shifting Priorities. We understand that it’s a challenge to recover from alcohol use disorder. By building life skills and taking up new interests you can refocus your energy on productive activities. This can help you maintain your commitment to sober living.

Don’t let alcohol change who you are. Contact one of our admissions counselors to begin the recovery process and leave alcohol addiction in your past.