Liver damage is one of the most common and devastating complications of alcoholism. If you are drinking significantly – in terms of frequency or the amount – you could be at risk for developing this condition. For many people with alcohol use disorder, recognizing the risks that come from this disease is the first step toward the decision to seek residential rehab treatment. At Crestview Recovery in Portland, we can help you to do just that.
Finding Treatment for Alcoholism in Oregon
If you have liver damage, it’s important to reach out to a doctor for immediate help. Do not put off getting help for your specific health needs. Your doctor may help you with medications and to improve your overall health as much as possible. However, liver damage like this is progressive. It will worsen over time if you continue to use alcohol.
You also have to deal with getting help for alcoholism in Oregon. Until you treat your addiction, the improvement you will see in your liver may not be enough. Our team at Crestview Recovery can help you with a number of different residential detox options and other programs. We encourage you to reach out to us for help. We’re here to help you with programs such as:
- Outpatient drug rehab
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Gender-specific alcohol rehab
- Telehealth intensive outpatient treatment program
What Is Alcohol Liver Damage?
Alcohol can cause liver damage, especially in situations of chronic alcohol abuse. It can cause other health problems, too, such as an increased risk of high blood pressure, strokes, and heart damage. Liver damage is one of the most common.
The liver’s job in the body is to remove the harmful substances in the blood and push them out of the body. It also works to produce enzymes and hormones that the body then uses to help fight off infections. The liver holds many of the nutrients and vitamins the body needs.
The problem is that the liver cannot properly process and remove alcohol from the body fast enough. It takes a full hour for the body to remove just one drink from your system. The higher the number of drinks you take, the longer it takes for the liver to remove them.
The unprocessed alcohol remains in the bloodstream circulating. It’s what causes you to become drunk. However, it also damages the liver itself in a condition called cirrhosis, often referred to as liver damage.
Symptoms of Alcohol Liver Damage
Take a look at some of the most common symptoms of damage to the liver from alcoholism. If you see these in yourself, call your addiction treatment center in Portland, Oregon for help.
- Yellowish colors to the skin and the eyes
- Pain in the abdomen
- Dark urine
- Discolored stool
- Nausea or vomiting
- Chronic fatigue
There are many other symptoms, including swelling in the arms and legs, bruising easily, and disorientation. Detoxing from alcohol can be dangerous, so we recommend attending a medical detox program.
Alcoholism Can Lead to Liver Damage
If you have alcoholism, that means you are likely consuming a large amount of alcohol on a routine basis. You are also consuming it faster than your liver can process and remove it. That’s what gives you the intoxication you desire. At the same time, every drink is damaging the cells of your body. Alcoholism can be very damaging.
Choose to Invest in Your Health by Calling Crestview Recovery
Making the decision to get help for alcoholism is one of the bravest things you can do to help yourself. Admitting you need help means you’re making the right decision to get help to start healing. Crestview Recovery in Oregon wants to be there to support you. Call us at 866.262.0531 or connect with us online now.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
