Alcohol addiction is a social, psychological and biological disease that warrants immediate treatment because it affects more than the alcoholic themselves. This addiction has wrecked entire families and led to a variety of problems in society.
1.How to Approach an Alcoholic?
Approaching a loved one to discuss their addiction to alcohol can be difficult, especially when their use is affecting you personally. You need to be calm, caring and supportive. It is best to avoid putting blame because it is not easy for anyone to admit they have a problem. You can have a counselor with you to have a conversation with your loved one about their alcohol addiction.
Bear in mind that supporting doesn’t mean that you enable them. Enabling means providing them with opportunities to have alcohol like giving them money to buy groceries, which will obviously be spent on alcohol, or keeping alcohol around the house. Supporting them means helping them figure out how to seek treatment for their addiction and the steps to take.
2.Detox
The first step of treating alcohol addiction is undergoing detox and you need to seek medical help for this purpose because withdrawal can lead to severe medical complications. When addicts undergo medically supervised detox, the withdrawal experience can be a lot more comfortable and help them in managing their cravings. Certain symptoms can only be managed with sedative medication and only professionals can administer it in the right doses. The purpose of detox is to eliminate the effects of alcohol on the body.
3.Residential Programs
Once detox is complete, the patient can start a treatment program. There are different treatment programs available and residential ones are for those who suffer from severe alcohol addiction. It is also best in cases where patients have crucial medical needs and fewer support systems. Inpatient residential treatment is a better option because it keeps them away from temptation in a space where they have absolutely no access to alcohol and are constantly monitored.
These programs involve individual and group counseling therapy to help addicts cope with their dependence on alcohol. They are also educated about addiction and its consequences. Apart from that, addicts are also taught relapse prevention strategies so they don’t repeat the same cycle again. Family programs are also offered with these treatment programs to support the whole family as the recovering alcohol transitions to recovery and wellness.
4.Outpatient Programs
These are programs that are designed for recovering alcoholics or those who are only mildly addicted to alcohol. In such treatment programs, people have to come in for therapy a couple of days a week and are able to understand their addiction. They are also taught how to resist the urge when they are out in the real world in order to prevent a relapse. Aftercare planning is an important aspect of outpatient treatment programs and it teaches addicts how to go about their routine life without giving into temptation.
With technological advancement, a number of new methods have been introduced to help monitoring addicts and see how they are coping up. These tests cannot be tampered with and are cost-effective and quick. Plus, people can also save time because they don’t have to go to the treatment center again and again for routine tests.
If you have any loved one who is suffering from alcohol addiction and you don’t know what needs to be done, you can follow the steps outlined above. It will take time, but eventually, with support and help, your loved one will be able to curb their dependence on alcohol and live a healthy and sober life.
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