Is Alcohol a Drug?

The Detox Center Coronavirus Policy Update

As we closely monitor the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, we are taking every precaution to ensure our top priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our clients and staff. This guides each and every decision we make.

We have and will continue to follow the guidelines of our local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC} the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Broward and Palm Beach County Health Departments. As a result, we stay current on this evolving situation, we want to assure you that we are taking the appropriate and precautionary measures, such as:

• Ensuring proper and rigorous cleaning and sanitation of common surfaces

• Requiring hourly sanitization of all staff and clients

• Provision of additional sanitizing products to our clients and staff

• Ongoing staff training to enhance cleaning and disinfecting procedures to maintain a healthy environment

• All employees are required to remain home in the event:

o They display any signs or symptoms of being ill. Employees who report to work ill will be sent home in accordance with these health guidelines.
oIf the employee has traveled outside of the state of Florida by any means or if an employee has traveled via cruise or airplane to any destination, that employee must report to management and Human Resources and self-isolate at that time.

Regarding current and admitted patient's change of schedule, the following has been implemented:

• Some programs and therapies have been temporarily postponed due to COVID-19

• Grocery shopping will be completed by the facility staff

• Clients are urged to keep a safe distance from other persons

• Hourly mandatory hand washing breaks are in effect

• Clients have been instructed to report to medical staff any symptoms

• Additional Health screenings will be conducted at that time of admission

• Clients will not be admitted to the facility if any of the following symptoms are present:

o Fever above 100 degrees
o Consistent Dry Coughing
o Shortness of Breath
o Severer body aches, that surpass PAWS range and/or
o Sore Throat

If a client does contract coronavirus, they will be isolated and quarantined on location. The client will only be handled by designated staff with the proper PPE. The local Department of Health (or equivalent agency) will be informed so that they may come out and provide further guidance on how to best handle the individual. All suspected cases are reported to the Department of Health (or local agency) who will be handling it accordingly. A deep cleaning will occur at the identified location.

Additional information regarding the virus can be found on the Broward Health Department's website or the Centers for Disease Control website.

We will continue to work together to ensure the safety of our patients and team members and adhere to any new regulatory changes as they come.

There are many types of alcohol available, including beer, wine, vodka, tequila, gin, and whiskey. These substances are classified as a depressant, slowing down vital functions for your body and mind. This effect results in symptoms such as slurred speech, loss of balance or motor skills, altered perceptions, loss of focus, and lowered inhibitions, especially when it comes to judgment or decision-making. Despite these facts, many people still ask, “Is alcohol a drug?” If you are struggling with alcoholism, contact an alcohol detox center program.

Is Alcohol a Drug? A Look at the Effects on Your Body

Alcohol is most definitely a drug, and we will examine the effects of alcohol abuse, dependency, and addiction.

The common effects of alcohol are known to many. But while the temporary effects of intoxication provide are well-known, the specific consequences that excessive alcohol consumption has on their bodies remains a mystery to many people. The major health problems that can result from consuming alcohol include:

Damage to the brain – Alcohol affects the brain’s communication pathways, altering how it functions and how it interprets the information it receives. These changes can influence your mood, behavior, judgment, motor skills, and thought processes.
Damage to the heart – Over time, drinking causes permanent damage to the way your heart works. You can develop life-threatening symptoms like high blood pressure, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), and cardiomyopathy (drooping and stretching of the heart).
Damage to the liver – Alcohol consumption taxes it toll on your liver. Alcohol use can lead to several problems such as alcoholic hepatitis (liver inflammation), steatosis (fatty liver), fibrosis (wounds on the liver), and cirrhosis (abnormal liver functions).
Damage to your pancreas – Consuming alcohol can cause the pancreas to secrete toxic chemicals that will inevitably lead to pancreatitis (severe inflammation of the pancreas), which is extremely difficult to cure.
Damage to your immune system – Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol effectively reduces the function of your immune system to battle foreign bodies, making you a vulnerable target for sicknesses and infections. Pneumonia and tuberculosis are among the leading perpetrators who take advantage of your compromised immune system.

Treatment and Recovery

Alcohol is legal in most parts of the world, but is alcohol a drug? It is readily available for consumption in massive doses, making it a prime candidate for addiction and its related consequences such as delirium tremens and death. Due to how rampant alcohol addiction and substance abuse in general are, we must raise awareness about addiction therapy programs and recovery options. There are several proven methods of recovery from alcohol addiction, including:

Intervention
Detoxification
Medication
Rehabilitation
Therapy

A method that is worth highlighting is drug detoxification, or drug detox. A drug detox center program helps to break the physical and psychological bonds of substance addiction. Seek proper professional care to ensure the mitigation of symptoms due to withdrawal and the successful transition to a drug-free environment and way of life. With guidance and supervision from nurses and doctors, a detox center can assist those with chronic conditions and habits to help reduce the side effects associated with alcoholism. Inpatient recovery is vital in this type of recovery method, and after a few months, patients will be able to move on to the next stage of their lives while being healthy and happy.

Get In Touch With Experts at The Detox Center Today

The danger of alcohol is that it is universally accepted and legal, leading several down the path of addiction. This slippery slope can bring about life-threatening symptoms or even death. Commit to living a life free from drugs to ensure your safety and the safety of friends and family.

The battle to rid your life of alcohol does not have to be fought alone. There are proven programs that you can experience that help you quit alcohol abuse once and for all. So stop asking the question, ‘is alcohol a drug?’ and take steps toward your recovery. The medical experts at The Detox Center are just a phone call away at [Direct].