Alcohol Treatment
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The goal of alcohol treatment is to help drinkers to stop drinking and stay sober. The best treatment is a combination of behavioral psychotherapy, medication and sometimes hospitalization in an alcohol abuse center.
For an outsider, the best cure would seem "no drinking at all", but in practice this is the hardest thing to achieve. An alcoholic, by definition, has big difficulties with controlling his drinking. Alcohol becomes an obsession for him even though he is aware of the problem and genuinely wants to stop drinking. The craving for alcohol also will remain when he is sober.
Stages of alcohol treatment
Any treatment is worthless unless the alcoholic subscribes to total abstinence. There is no cure to alcohol addiction, which means that an alcoholic will always remain alcoholic. That doesn't mean there is no treatment.
On the contrary, there are a lot of alcohol treatment centers with successful programs; patients usually respond well to treatment, although some are not able to stop drinking the first time through. Some alcoholics relapse a few times before stopping completely. However, this does not mean than they are lost forever and cannot recover.
There are three stages to treating alcohol addiction:
Stabilization is the stage where the doctor tries to take control of the alcohol withdrawal. The most common medications used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms are benzodiazepines.
Detoxification involves stopping alcohol consumption within a planned withdrawal program. The choice of planning is in relation to the person's commitment and personal resources. Medication is measured carefully and alcohol is forbidden. This stage can take about a week and it requires a lot of self-discipline from the patient, since it's a very difficult time for him. It is the first step to total abstinence and carries some risks.
Sometimes this treatment can be done at home (outpatient setting). It is more cost effective but the patient might not be as disciplined. That’s why it is best suited for patients with mild withdrawal symptoms.
Hospital treatment (inpatient setting) is advised if the patient:
- is confused or has hallucinations;
- has epilepsy or a history of fits;
- is undernourished;
- has a history of previously complicated withdrawal;
- has severe vomiting or diarrhea;
- is at risk of suicide;
- has severe dependence;
- has a previously failed home-assisted withdrawal;
- has uncontrollable withdrawal symptoms;
- has an acute physical or psychiatric illness;
- has multiple substance misuse.
Rehabilitation is the last stage of alcohol treatment and is offered to support the drinkers on their way to become sober forever. It is a period with intense counseling, psychotherapy, nursing and medical care. A lot of professionals involved in rehabilitation centers are actually recovering alcoholics themselves, and who serve as role models.
Programs can take between a month and year in duration. During the program, the patients have to achieve the following:
- the skills not to drink;
- a recovery support system;
Besides medication, treatment programs also include family therapy to work on dysfunctional relationships and positive changes. This type of therapy helps on the quality of communication and can solve problems related to drinking and its effects on the family members.
Some of the most well-known self-help programs are Alcoholics Anonymous, Women for Sobriety, Rational Recovery or SMART Recovery which allow alcoholics to stop drinking and remain sober on their own. Here alcoholics can ask help from professional counselors, and can benefit from different rehabilitation techniques such as: Twelve-Step Facilitation Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy or Cognitive-Behavioral Coping Skills.
Alternative alcohol treatment is an option if traditional programs don't work. Some people don’t feel comfortable at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and doing a 12-step recovery programs.
Drug and alcohol treatment is an important step. It will take a continual, concerted effort by affected individuals, potential victims and law enforcement to slow down the effects of drug and alcohol abuse on our society.
Alcohol detox medication is available for recovery assistance. This helps keep the person calm during the depression and anxiety which often follow the decision to quit drinking.
Alcohol withdrawal is a set of uncomfortable physical symptoms. These are usually experienced by heavy, long-term drinkers who try to stop drinking alcohol suddenly.
Alcohol detox is the beginning phase of the rehabilitation process. It's a complex, uncomfortable and painful process requiring unquestionable commitment and support.
Getting help through a drug and alcohol rehab center. Offering residential treatment programs through qualified, compassionate and caring holistic treatment by professionals.
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