An alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is when an individual drinks large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis, despite the negative consequences.
An addiction can develop for many reasons: issues in the individuals’ social life, familial or relationships issues, problems with work, or as a general coping mechanism. In any case, it is important that addiction is understood and supported, rather than becoming a vicious stereotype as it is so often portrayed in media.
This blog post will explore alcohol addictions, as well as how an individual can overcome this through rehabilitation – the process of learning to overcome the effects of addiction and maintain sobriety in the long-term.
Why is an alcohol addiction so dangerous?
Alcohol is as dangerous a drug as heroin. This is because both substances are physically addictive, meaning that they have a direct impact on the body and how it functions with or without the presence of the substance.
When an individual has been consuming large quantities of alcohol over a long period of time, then they become physically dependent on the drug and can have serious and adverse effects if the individual withdraws all of a sudden (going ‘cold turkey’) or if they continue this behaviour without acknowledgement of their condition.
Studies have shown that alcohol affects vital hormonal systems such as those involving serotonin (the ‘happy’ hormone) in the short-term and can also have strong sedative effects in the long-term.
Individuals who are seeking to withdraw from alcohol should always do so with a medical professional’s support; this will be covered in more detail later in this blog post.
What should you do if you or someone you know is struggling with an alcohol addiction?
If you find yourself, or if you notice someone else, struggling with an alcohol addiction, then it is vital that help is sought as soon as possible.
Alcohol addictions can quickly worsen over time; the individual will have built up a tolerance to the substance and will therefore need to consume the drug regularly to maintain everyday functioning.
There are many different sources of support that an individual can contact, starting with local services in their area.
Local services often offer support groups i.e., group talking therapy sessions such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but can also direct individuals toward long-term and specialised care programmes.
Rehabilitation, for example, is the best way to overcome an addiction and learn to cope with the long-term consequences. This is covered in more detail across the remainder of the blog post.
How does rehabilitation work?
Rehabilitation itself is the process of overcoming a specific issue or effect with support. When concerning addiction, rehabilitation helps the individual to learn their own techniques for coping with the effects that they are experiencing, as well as finding the route cause of the addiction in the first place.
Studies have shown that the most effective form of rehabilitation is that which takes place in a residential setting i.e., a dedicated rehabilitation centre, and one which includes and integrates mental health support, as well as having a strong aftercare programme in place.
This is not the most suitable form of rehabilitation for every individual; every case of addiction is different, and some individuals may find it more detrimental than beneficial for their ongoing health.
There are three key stages of rehabilitation
In general, most providers of rehabilitative care suggest that individuals struggling with an addiction – to alcohol or other drugs – should progress through three key stages of care in order to make the most effective and efficient recovery progress.
Each of these stages are designed to lead into one another, and a lack of clear stages of recovery can cause delays in care, inefficient progress, and the potential requirement to undergo further and more complex treatment.
Detoxification – what is it and what does it do?
Detoxification is the process of withdrawal i.e., when the individual stops consumption of the substance that they are addicted to and begins to rid their body of any harmful chemicals and toxins that have built up as a result of this addiction.
When it comes to an alcohol withdrawal, this can be more complex due to the physically addictive nature of alcohol, causing serious health risks and life-threatening health problems in some cases.
In the case of a serious alcohol withdrawal procedure, it may be recommended by medical professionals to prescribe another substance such as Librium (chlordiazepoxide) to negate the health risks that an individual may experience.
Studies have shown that substances such as Librium and Heminevrin (chlormethiazole) are equally effective in their treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal.
A detox sessions physically prepares the individual for the ongoing stages of care.
Therapy/rehabilitation – how does it help?
This is the stage of rehabilitation that is likely to make up the majority of an individual’s time in alcohol rehabilitation.
During this stage, individuals are likely to experience a variety of different treatment options – these will be different in every case; addiction does not benefit from a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
However, some therapies are able to be specialised and tailored for each individual, making them more popular and common than other forms of care.
Common therapies include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), and holistic therapies, for example.
Aftercare – how can we maintain sobriety in the long term?
Aftercare is an ongoing process. Once an individual has completed the majority of their treatment within a dedicated centre or elsewhere, they should ensure that they will receive aftercare.
Some rehab centres offer complimentary aftercare, but not in every case so it is important that the individual understands what is and what is not included in their treatment programme.
This stage has the highest level of flexibility; some individuals may prefer a more independency approach, whereas others may feel as though they require regular and thorough progress checks, for example.
This process can be tailored to each individual’s recovery journey, so understanding what may or may not be useful for the individual is essential before beginning any stage.
Speak to a medical professional or addiction specialist today
If you feel as though you are struggling with addiction and any of its related effects, or if you know someone who may be struggling with addiction, then it is vital that you seek support as soon as possible.
Not every individual will want to attend recovery, and many individuals struggling with addiction also struggle with denial.
Speaking to a medical professional or addiction specialist (i.e., those found in referral services, for example) will provide you and your loved ones with essential next steps for care, expert advice, and support with admissions for your chosen rehabilitation route.
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