Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Texas can be confusing without help from a knowledgeable source.
When does casual consumption of alcohol turn to dependency drinking and finally to biochemically-controlled drinking?
Most people addicted to alcohol can't pinpoint when this change occurred.
Alcohol is a tricky drug, one that draws a thin, usually imperceptible line, between social use and addictive use.
Alcohol addicts rely on alcohol as a key component of their personality - without a drink, they simply cannot "be themselves."
Long-Term Health Problems
Some problems, like those mentioned above, can occur after drinking over a relatively short period of time. But other problems--such as liver disease, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, and pancreatitis--often develop more gradually and may become evident only after long-term heavy drinking. Women may develop alcohol-related health problems after consuming less alcohol than men do over a shorter period of time. Because alcohol affects many organs in the body, long-term heavy drinking puts you at risk for developing serious health problems, some of which are described below.
Alcohol-related liver disease
More than 2 million Americans suffer from alcohol-related liver disease. Some drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, as a result of long-term heavy drinking. Its symptoms include fever, jaundice (abnormal yellowing of the skin, eyeballs, and urine), and abdominal pain. Alcoholic hepatitis can cause death if drinking continues. If drinking stops, this condition often is reversible. About 10 to 20 percent of heavy drinkers develop alcoholic cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. Alcoholic cirrhosis can cause death if drinking continues. Although cirrhosis is not reversible, if drinking stops, one's chances of survival improve considerably. Those with cirrhosis often feel better, and the functioning of their liver may improve, if they stop drinking. Although liver transplantation may be needed as a last resort, many people with cirrhosis who abstain from alcohol may never need liver transplantation. In addition, treatment for the complications of cirrhosis is available.
Heart disease
Moderate drinking can have beneficial effects on the heart, especially among those at greatest risk for heart attacks, such as men over the age of 45 and women after menopause. But long-term heavy drinking increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some kinds of stroke.
Cancer
Long-term heavy drinking increases the risk of developing certain forms of cancer, especially cancer of the esophagus, mouth, throat, and voice box. Women are at slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer if they drink two or more drinks per day. Drinking may also increase the risk for developing cancer of the colon and rectum.
Pancreatitis. The pancreas helps to regulate the body's blood sugar levels by producing insulin. The pancreas also has a role in digesting the food we eat. Long-term heavy drinking can lead to pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. This condition is associated with severe abdominal pain and weight loss and can be fatal.
DWI Laws in Texas...Know what will happen if you don't get help!
If you have read the above information, than this is just another avenue by which the use of alcohol iinvites problems into peoples lives. The health risk are serious and the legal ramifications are severe. But, if you are experiencing out-of-control drinking, or know someone that is, it is very important that you take responsibility for yourself, your loved ones and your friends by knowing and obeying the laws regarding Driving While Intoxicated in Texas.
The legal limit for intoxication in Texas is .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). However, drivers can be stopped and cited for impaired driving due to alcohol or other drugs regardless of BAC. Texas also has a zero tolerance law. For anyone under 21, it is illegal to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol.
Impairment begins with the first drink. Gender, body weight, the number of drinks consumed and the amount of food in one’s stomach affect the body’s ability to handle alcohol. Women, younger people and smaller people, whether male or female, often have lower tolerances.
If a law enforcement officer asks you to take a blood or breath test to measure how much alcohol is in your system, you should seriously consider complying with his/her request. If you refuse, you are subject to an automatic 180-day driver’s license suspension. Punishment for DWI varies depending on the number of times you've been convicted.
If you are convicted of DWI, the penalties are:
1st Offense
up to a $2,000 fine
72 hours to 180 days in jail
driver’s license suspension: 90 days to 1 year
2nd Offense
up to a $4,000 fine
30 days to 1 year in jail
driver’s license suspension: 180 days to 2 years
3rd Offense
up to a $10,000 fine
2 to 10 years in penitentiary
driver’s license suspension: 180 days to 2 years
These penalties apply to persons that are over 21 years of age. If you are under 21 and found in the possession of alcohol or other drugs your consequences are more limiting. If you are under 21, being caught in the possession of any amount of alcohol or drugs will lead to mandatory penalties.
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