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Get Help With Alcohol Addiction
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Who Answers?Alcohol holds a significant place in society where it is legal and acceptable to drink in moderation, but, the residual effects of drinking alcohol can profoundly impact the way a person’s mind and body functions. Altered physiological processes, whether expected or unknown, cause a chain reaction in the way alcoholics view themselves, their drinking patterns, and the people and circumstances surrounding them while internal forces try to compensate for biological imbalances.
On their own, an alcoholic rarely finds the stability, endurance, support, and coping skills they need to overcome the challenges of achieving and maintaining sobriety for any significant time periods. From detox to long-term care, alcoholism addiction treatment facilities offer many of the following benefits directed toward helping alcoholics end their struggles with alcohol and the associated problems that they may endure.
Multiple Services
According to the Institute of Medicine (US), “The overall goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol as a contributing factor to physical, psychological, and social dysfunction and to arrest, retard, or reverse the progress of any associated problems.” Any combination of services may be appropriate depending on the alcoholic’s needs and severity of problems with the most beneficial components that, according to the SAMHSA, may include:
- Individual and group counseling
- Inpatient and residential treatment
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Partial hospital programs
- Case or care management
- Medication
- Recovery support services
- 12-Step fellowship
- Peer supports
Medical Detox
Medical detox is a benefit of alcoholism addiction treatment facilities that provides a safe, clean, and monitored environment where the distress of alcohol withdrawals can be mitigated. Comfort and safety play an especially important role during an alcohol detox where medications and support services are often necessary and can make the difference between completing the detox and stabilization phases that promote treatment retention. If an alcoholic has a history of heavy or prolonged drinking patterns, detox attempts, or seizures, access to medical services can be critical to survival.
Resources to Improve Physical Health
Most people are totally unaware of the degenerative state of health that alcohol causes until they either try to get sober or suffer a debilitating crisis. For some, physical health improvements can be achieved through proper rest and relaxation, nutrition, hydration, exercise, and changes in unhealthy habits. Others may require a treatment regimen that is more challenging and intensive where alcoholism addiction treatment facilities can advocate case management services with medical health providers to improve the overall physical health and functioning of the alcoholic.
Resources to Improve Psychiatric Symptoms and Functioning
Counseling is provided at alcoholism treatment facilities to help patients with their recovery.
According to the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS), about 45% of Americans seeking substance use disorder treatment have been diagnosed as having a co-occurring mental and substance use disorder. Alcoholics should anticipate that depression, stress, and anxiety usually gets worse as clarity of the mind returns and memories associated with drinking are brought to the forefront increasing the risk of suicidal, violent, or erratic behaviors that can occur. Integrating alcoholism treatment with mental health services whenever needed improves both aspects of treatment when presented in continuum with each other.
Counseling
Counseling services can be designed to focus on personal goals and needs, to support and improve family and spousal relations, or in a group setting where peer support is highly advocated for alcoholics. Counseling is one of the most beneficial components of alcoholism addiction treatment facilities that helps motivate healthy lifestyle changes through education, guidance, and support.
Behavioral Therapies
Alcoholism addiction treatment facilities help their patients recognize harmful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that could limit recovery success. Strategic coping skills are taught to help alcoholics cope with cravings, avoid triggers that could lead to relapse, and manage stressful events that alcoholics tend to have a hard time dealing with long after achieving sobriety. According to the NIDA, “Treatment techniques that foster coping skills, problem solving skills, and social support play a role in successful treatment.”
Psychosocial Support Services
Alcoholism addiction treatment facilities can enhance an alcoholic’s recovery outcomes by linking their psychosocial needs to appropriate services which help to improve self-esteem and motivate recovery goals. Finding meaningful purpose in life is one of the greatest benefits of alcoholism recovery that involves daily activities such as going to work, taking care of family, going to school, volunteering and helping others, and having appropriate income, independence, and resources to participate well in society.