People become addicted to a wide variety of things – chocolate, caffeine and shopping, for instance. But when the addiction involves alcohol, alcohol treatment is needed because this substance is one of the most mind-altering. If treatment is delayed, it could lead to an escalation of the addiction to the point where the addict is completely incapacitated.
Alcohol treatment coordinators typically subscribe to two different beliefs – either that alcoholism is a disease or that alcoholism is a choice. The first step of alcohol treatment is admitting that the drinking has gotten out of hand, it is a problem, it’s time to stop now and help is required in order to successfully do so. Alcohol treatment facilities typically require detoxification of some variety. This involves an immediately effective abstinence from all alcohol, with help from counselors and group support meetings. During the detox phase, some alcohol treatment centers administer drugs that mimic the effect of alcohol to help the addict wean off the substance with as few side effects as possible. Other alcohol treatment centers may prefer all-natural approaches to detox, with saunas and massages.
Essentially, the end goal of alcohol treatment is to help the person heal their whole person – mind, soul, body and emotions. Most alcohol addictions have an underlying cause and this will be examined during the treatment process. If the alcohol addiction treatment is successful, the recovering addict will emerge with renewed self-confidence, optimism, purpose and a whole group of supportive friends who are going through the exact same life experience. By no means does recovery conclude when a patient exits the alcohol drug rehab center’s doors. It is instead a lifelong process of exerting willpower to overcome alcohol’s temptation, but alcohol addiction treatment gives a person the tools, confidence and support needed to embark on that journey.
Different drug addictions may require different methods of treatments. What works for cocaine recovery may not work as a method of alcohol addiction treatment. Group therapy is a common form of treatment for alcoholism. Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous use this type of treatment to help people become “clean and sober”. It has a pretty good success, too, especially when one sticks to it.
Sometimes, though, a person has drunk so much over so long a time that his or her physical health is horrible. Alcohol affects the liver more than any other organ of the body, and while the liver can repair itself, it must be allowed to do so. This means no drinking. Any addiction is hard to beat. Alcohol, however, sometimes seems to take on a “life of its own” so to speak. It is often necessary for a person who is in alcohol treatment to be given medication that will help him or her be more able to control the urge to drink. Antabuse® is a medication that has shown a great deal of success. There are other medications available to treat alcoholism also, which serve the same purpose.
Of course, it goes without saying that a lifestyle change is a necessary component to any successful alcoholism treatment program. One who is trying to get sober cannot go to places where alcohol is served, at least until it is fairly certain that the desire to “join right in” is under control. It’s best, however, not to even be put into a situation where one may be tempted to drink.
The Rehab Adviser has a history of successfully placing those in need in the right alcohol treatment facility, at the right time. If you or one of your loved ones is struggling with alcoholism, and you would like to learn more about treatment options, please call us right any time. We are available day and night, seven days a week.