31 Jul Why Alcohol Detox Should Be the First Step Toward Lasting Recovery
Addiction Treatment Notice: If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use disorder, help is available. Call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7). In an emergency, call 911. Do not attempt to stop heavy alcohol use abruptly without medical supervision — alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before beginning any detox or addiction treatment program.
For many individuals struggling with alcohol dependence, deciding to seek help is one of the most important steps they will ever take. While long-term recovery often includes counseling, behavioral therapy, peer support, and relapse prevention planning, experts agree that recovery typically begins with one critical stage: detoxification.
Alcohol withdrawal can be physically and emotionally challenging, and in some cases, it can pose serious health risks. Because of this, healthcare professionals consistently recommend that individuals experiencing alcohol dependence seek professional support rather than attempting to stop drinking on their own. Organizations such as The Discovery Institute in New Jersey emphasize the importance of beginning recovery with medically supervised care that helps individuals safely navigate withdrawal while preparing them for the next phase of treatment. For a broader look at how holistic and evidence-based approaches work together in addiction recovery, see this overview of holistic approaches to addiction recovery.
Dr. Kruger[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
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Dr. Felicione[/caption]
Response: Alcohol consumption, especially heavy alcohol consumption, is associated with many health risks and nearly 200 different health conditions and diseases. Reducing alcohol consumption reduces the risks and harms from alcohol. Previous research has demonstrated that people have reduced their alcohol consumption when they have access to cannabis. Cannabis beverages have emerged in States where cannabis is legal for adult or medical use.
Dr. Lopes[/caption]
Gilberto Lopes, M.D.
Professor, Chief, Division of Medical Oncology
Associate Director for the Cancer Center and
Medical Director for International Affairs
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: There is growing evidence linking alcohol consumption to increased cancer risk and mortality. This association was recently emphasized by the former U.S. Surgeon General, prompting renewed public health interest. In response to these concerns, under the mentorship of Dr. Lopes, we evaluated national trends in alcohol-associated cancer mortality using data from the Global Burden of Disease database.
Source[/caption]
Prof. Durazzo[/caption]
Timothy C. Durazzo, PhD
Clinical Neuropsychologist and Research Scientist
Mental Illness Research and Education Clinical Centers
VA Palo Alto Health Care System
Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Stanford University School of Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
-There are a limited number of studies investigating changes in human brain structure, in individuals with an alcohol use disorder, with longer term abstinence after treatment.
-Our study was the first to assess for change in cortical thickness over approximately 7 months of abstinence in those seeking treatment of alcohol use disorder.
-Cortical thickness in humans is genetically and phenotypically distinct from other brain structural measures such as cortical volume and surface area.
-Therefore, assessment of changes in cortical thickness with longer-term abstinence provides additional information on how human brain structure recovers with sobriety.
Alcoholism is a serious problem that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It is defined as an addiction to alcohol, in which the person feels unable to control their drinking and continues to drink despite its negative consequences. Alcoholism can lead to health problems, family issues, financial difficulties, and even death
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease that is characterized by a strong craving for alcohol, difficulty controlling one's drinking, and continued drinking despite negative consequences. People with alcoholism often have trouble holding down a job, maintaining relationships, and taking care of their health. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, it's important to get help as soon as possible. There are many resources available to help people recover from this disease.
Dr. Wong[/caption]
Mitchell Wong, MD PhD
Professor of Medicine
Executive Vice Chair for Research Training
Department of Medicine
Executive Co-Director, Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) Program
Director, UCLA CTSI KL2 Program
UCLA Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research Los Angeles, CA 90024
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: It is estimated that social factors like poverty, education, and housing have a large impact on health. Yet, there are few interventions that exist to directly address those issues. Schools are a promising solution since society already invests heavily in education and schools are an everyday part of most children’s lives.
Dr. Mezue[/caption]
Kenechukwu Ndubisi Mezue, M.D
Fellow in
Sitara Weerakoon[/caption]
Sitara Weerakoon, MPH (she/her)
PhD Candidate | Epidemiology & Biostatistics
Graduate Research Assistant
Center for Pediatric Population Health
UTHealth
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Measures to control the spread of COVID-19 included stay-at-home mandates and business lockdown policies which resulted in many facing a loss of income or employment and more time spent isolated at home. Life stressors (like job loss and social isolation) have been shown to be associated with increased drinking at unhealthy levels. Those with a history of mental health problems may be even more at risk.
We aimed to see if binge drinking (5 or more drinks [male] or 4 or more drinks [female] in one session) and levels of alcohol consumption among binge drinkers were impacted by these pandemic-related factors. We found that increased time spent at home (in weeks) was associated with a 19% increase in the odds of binge drinking and binge drinkers with a previous diagnosis of depression and current depression symptoms (during the early months of the pandemic) had a 237% greater odds of drinking more alcohol (vs drinking the same amount) compared to those with no history and current symptoms of depression.
Dr. Pollard[/caption]
Michael S. Pollard, Ph.D.
Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Senior Sociologist
RAND Corporation
Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: There are ample anecdotal jokes and stories about increased alcohol use during COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders. Our study provides robust longitudinal evidence that people drank more frequently, and for women in particular, more heavily, and with more negative consequences, during the initial stages of COVID-19 compared to their own behaviors from a year earlier (May/June 2020 compared to May/June 2019). Women’s alcohol consumption was most significantly changed, with a 17% increase in number of days drinking, and a 41% increase in days of binge drinking (when they had four or more drinks in a couple of hours). This means that, nationally, one in five women drank heavily one more day a month than the same time in 2019, on average. Women also reported a 39% increase in alcohol-related problems, such as “I took foolish risks” or “I failed to do what was expected of me” because of drinking alcohol.