You might know that a friend, coworker, or loved one has an alcohol abuse problem simply by observing him. Perhaps he smells of alcohol or slurs his speech at work. Maybe he hides bottles of alcohol in places he thinks you won’t find. Yet as obvious as an alcohol abuse issue might be, clinical tests can provide conclusive evidence of both the addiction and its severity. These tests can alertsubstance abuse treatment counselors and physicians to the extent of a patient’s problem and provide direction on how best to address his physical needs.
Getting a Magnesium Blood Test
Magnesium is a mineral that is essential to human health. While the skeletal system holds most of the body’s magnesium, the blood contains an ample supply of it as well. However, excessive alcohol consumption can affect magnesium counts in the blood. A magnesium blood test, which assesses magnesium levels, can indicate the extent to which a person is abusing alcohol. A low magnesium count may point to an alcoholism problem.
Submitting to a Blood Count Test
Alcohol abuse can affect other blood components as well. A complete blood count test can determine the levels of several different blood elements, including the amount of hemoglobin, white blood cells, and red blood cells. A complete blood count test of someone who suffers from alcoholism may yield differing results than that of a person who does not have an alcohol abuse problem.
Undergoing a Liver Function Test
The liver plays a fundamental role regarding the consumption of alcohol. Each time a person consumes an alcoholic beverage, it is up to the liver to process the toxic elements. If an individual suffers from an alcohol problem, though, the liver may not be able to keep up with these processing demands. As a result, it can experience permanent scar tissue. A liver function test can reveal the presence of this tissue damage.
Let Las Encinas Hospital help you regain control of your life from alcoholism. Our Pasadena addiction treatment facility offers confidential and compassionate care for individuals who suffer from alcohol-related problems. If you would like to learn moreabout our chemical dependency options, call (888) 348-2165.
