There are many reasons why someone might turn to the bottle and find its comforts too good to go without. Alcohol can be used as a stress management method, a social lubricant and even as a way of ridding oneself from a hangover earned the night before. But for 7% of Americans, the need to indulge in liqueur has taken control of their lives.
In some cases, alcoholism can impact a person’s social life, personal relationships, incur jobs loss and in extreme instances, result in fatal consequences. For some, the addiction can seem like it is impossible to shift, with dependency becoming necessary rather than enjoyable. Whilst it can be especially hard to curb your drinking through willpower alone, they say the first step is admitting you have a problem.
But what next? There are many groups and organizations available that can offer treatment, so it is highly advisable to speak to your doctor to find out what is available in your area. It is imperative where possible that you do not attempt to go through the process of recovering alone and recruit family or friends whom you can call on when temptation is at its hardest.
Recovery time can vary greatly depending on the patient’s individual history, dependency and alcohol intake, so it’s important to know that one AA meeting is not going to make you sober. Indeed some people can go to rehab and will end up drinking again after their first course of treatment and will need to attend rehabilitation several times before they can make the change. In recovery, there is no such thing as a failure, only progression, often in the form of baby steps, which can time.
Treatment for Alcoholism can come in many forms, even down to the process of realizing you have an issue in the first place. Interventions have increased in popularity and are a great way of helping a friend or loved one to realize their health is in jeopardy. However, these events should always be handled delicately and be tailored to the patient’s needs. For instance, someone with social anxiety will benefit more from one or two people talking to them then a roomful of strangers which might cause them to need a drink.
Counselling is also a great way to start treatment, as it will allow a patient to work on the psychological and personal aspects of their dependency. It allows for personal sessions where one can speak openly without fear of reprehension or judgement and can strengthen a patients desire to quit knowing that a professional is on the other end of the phone.
Detox is where treatment goes beyond just talking and can be the hardest part of the process depending on your situation. It can be attempted on your own but in cases where a patient drinks severely, medical help may be required.
For further information and advice about the treatment of alcohol addiction consult your doctor. This article is not a substitute for medical advice.
