It is becoming more and more widely accepted that alcoholism is a disease and in order to begin the recovery process, the alcoholic has to identify the characteristics of this problem. The alcoholic disease affects an estimated 17.6 million every year.
Warning Signs
There are multiple warning signs of alcoholism and these can vary from person to person. However there are ten key questions that need to be answered when assessing whether or not someone is an alcoholic:
1. Do you drink alone?
2. Are friends and/or family concerned about your drinking?
3. Have you been involved in arguments and fights while you were drinking?
4. Have you ever forgotten what happened while you were drinking?
5. Do you feel the need to drink in order to have a good time or to celebrate?
6. Have you missed classes, work, a date, or an important meeting because of drinking or a hangover?
7. Do you think about drinking often?
8. Have you tried to quit or cut down on drinking but could not?
9. Have you experienced alcohol-related medical issues or behavioural problems?
10. Does it require more and more alcohol to reach the desired effect?
If there is someone you know or if you think you are becoming reliant on alcohol, the way to recover and learn to live life sober is through long-term rehabilitation. Regardless of the reason someone goes to rehab- forced or out of choice- each person has an equal chance of recovery. There are facilities that offer short term treatment for alcoholics, called a detoxification.
Alcoholism Detox
This means that the addict will have their body medically cleared of all alcohol and will leave the facility after a short amount of time and will enter into society without any counselling or therapy to help with the behavioural skills needed to sustain sobriety and decrease the chances of relapse. The most effective and successful treatment to prevent relapse is a long-term substance abuse rehabilitation process as it has multiple processes in order to help the individual live an alcohol free life.
Firstly there is the detoxification or the process where alcohol leaves the body and the individual is alcohol-free. Abstinence from alcohol can cause grave withdrawal symptoms and the detoxification process should only be undergone with the supervision of trained medical personnel. Secondly, emotional problems will need to be looked at through therapy and counselling.
Loneliness, Feeling of Emptiness
Many people resort to alcohol and eventually start to abuse it because of loneliness and a feeling of emptiness. Most long-term rehabilitation programmes incorporate a 12-step program to help address this issue and this has proven success rates. The 12-step program also prepares the alcoholic for life outside of rehab by having the recovering alcoholic participate in group therapies that are similar to the meetings they are to attend after treatment, while at the same time addressing the emotional and psychological needs of the individual.
Long-term rehabilitation is essential to lead a sober and healthy life and is the best solution in tackling such a vicious disease.
The Haynes Clinic is a rehab clinic offering detox and counselling for those needing to get help for alcoholism and drug dependency.
Call 01462 851414 for free and confidential advice.
