Last month, Brad Pitt made headlines around the world as he openly discussed his lifetime of alcohol abuse and how he has realized he has avoided his alcoholism for so long. After a high profile separation from his world famous actress and UN Ambassador wife, Angelina Jolie, the pressure was on Brad Pitt to come to terms with his alcoholism. After attending treatment and speaking openly about going through two therapists before finding the right one, Pitt has been openly discussing his experience and the reality of his drinking. “Boozing too much” was the answer he gave as he expressed his realizations that hardly a day had gone by since his time in college without being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at some point in time.
Addiction affects 250 million people worldwide. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIAAA, cites that 17 million adults in the United States have an alcohol use disorder. To be diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder one has to demonstrate the beginnings of a chemical dependency on alcohol, including signs of developing a tolerance, experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, and having cravings for alcohol. Though treatment for alcoholism and even alcohol abuse is more widely available than it ever has been before, only a fraction of the people who are living with alcohol use disorder seek any treatment for it. Out of the millions struggling, only a few thousand will get help, and few thousand less might stay sober.
Recovering from alcoholism is challenging and difficult, but it is not impossible. Problematically, there are a lack of resources which help people be aware that their drinking patterns are in fact alcoholic and pose a serious risk to their mental as well as physical health. As a result, the normalized drinking culture causes people to believe they do not have a problem.
Prolonging alcoholism recovery can lead to serious health issues which can include damage to the kidneys, liver, and especially the heart. Early intervention is the best way to guarantee lifelong health and recovery. Through clinical detox, proven therapeutic treatments, and holistic healing, recovery from alcoholism is possible.
If you or a loved one are struggling from an addiction to alcohol, help is available. Call Avalon By The Sea today for information on our residential treatment programs and continuum of care. 888-958-7511.
