Alcoholism is growing at an alarming rate everywhere around the world. Every single day. More and more people are turning to alcohol to help them deal with life’s issues. Even teenagers are now drinking more than ever before. Alcoholism is caused by many factors and gradually happens when a person continues to drink, not bothering about the consequences. It is known that the alcohol changes the chemical levels in the brain. It makes the person feel good, temporarily. Alcoholics like this feeling and continue to drink more and more and soon they become slaves of alcohol and are unable to control their urges to consume. These are just some of the symptoms of alcohol abuse.
Stress is probably the biggest contributor to alcoholism in people's lifes. These days, people have so much stress in their lives that they have to cope with and they don’t know how to handle it. Initially, it will start with the occasional drink to help them relax and feel at ease. Then eventually, it turns in to drinking every day as part of normal functioning of the brain and body. Stress can come from work, family and also school life (in case of teens and college students) in general. People who drink because of stress need to learn other ways of handling their problems. There is indeed help for alcoholics, don't lose hope.
Genetics can play a part in causing a person to get into alcoholism. There are certain genes that can make a person more susceptible to becoming an alcoholic. If a close family member of yours has problems with alcohol it is best for you to avoid it and get him or her to seek professional help. Alcoholism is known to repeat itself in many generations to follow. A father and son may both have problems with alcohol, and this is not a rare case.
Just as stress, depression can cause alcoholism too. A depressed person looks for ways to make them feel better and care free. Alcohol helps them feel this way but not the best solution. They may start with a drink or two now and then, and then they start drinking on a daily basis and become alcoholics. All of their problems disappear while they are drunk and they feel they have nothing to worry about. The truth is these alcoholics need help, big time. This type of person has to learn to deal with the source of their depression and worries. Alcohol can make them feel good, but it can also make the depression worse as well.
These are just a few of the causes of alcoholism. Whatever the reason is a person starts to drink they need to learn other ways of coping and seek treatment for alcoholism if necessary.
Alcohol rehab is the therapeutic and educational process which will help guide the recovery from alcohol abuse. There are several key steps along the road to recovery. First, the patient must go through a detoxification process. This is a vital beginning to healing and stabilizing the body mentally and physically. Once a person has gone through detox and the initial withdrawals are dealt with, it is time to start with the main alcohol rehab treatments. A good rehab program should deal with all aspects of alcohol addiction, not just the symptoms. When looking at programs, people should make sure they teach and treat withdrawals. A good alcohol program will also teach vital life skills to help try and adjust a person’s way of coping so they don’t resort back to their addictions. By covering all aspects of a person’s life and how their alcohol addiction affects it, chances of success are greatly increased.
The Alcohol Rehab Process
There is no one set process for alcohol rehab. Every person will have different requirements and needs to help them get through. Everything from age, health, religion, family, and level of abuse will all play a factor in each individuals rehab process. However, each process should follow the same basic guidelines.
The first step and usually the most difficult step is for the individual to acknowledge that a problem exists. Addicts often refuse to admit that they have a problem or just can’t see that the problem is there. Typically it is friends and family that are the ones who first see the signs and try to get the person to change.
Once a person can admit and acknowledge that they have an addiction to alcohol, they must decide on what type of treatment would benefit them the most. There has been debate between inpatient alcohol treatment and outpatient alcohol treatment as to which is more effective. Both types of treatment are better than nothing at all. Each individual will have to look at their situation to figure out what is best for them. Speaking with their doctor is the best approach as they will be able to suggest the best course of action.
From here, each alcohol rehab treatment will vary. A patient will usually start a program by achieving sobriety. This is where the benefits of an inpatient alcohol treatment facility shows. Depending on the severity of alcohol addiction, detox can be very painful and hard to deal with. Some people may need medical supervision while going through detox. By participating in an inpatient treatment program, they will be provided with all the medical support needed.
After a person goes through detox, they should start on therapy. Therapy will usually consist of group, family, and individual counseling. Life skills and coping techniques will be taught to help the person adjust and live a sober life. By being in an inpatient facility, this adjustment is made easier