Alcoholism is an issue around the world, perhaps because alcohol is commonly enjoyed in modern society. However, some people have trouble stopping with an occasional drink and they can develop problems in their lives as a result. Fortunately, there are plenty of alcohol rehab centers across America for people struggling with alcohol abuse which can lead them into a fulfilling life in sobriety.
In many cases loved ones of people drinking heavily become concerned about their behavior and seek help on their behalf. However, in order to identify if someone has a problem with alcohol, it is important to know how to recognize the signs. Here we take a closer look at what alcoholism is, how it can be identified and also how the illness can be successfully treated.
What Is Alcoholism?
The first and most important thing is to understand exactly what alcoholism is. The term “alcoholic” is bandied about much too readily today and more than often doesn’t apply to the individual being referred to. Many people still believe alcoholism is simply a lack of self-control when it comes to consuming alcohol and that there is an element of choice in becoming addicted, whereas that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Alcoholism refers to an addiction to alcohol which is characterized by an uncontrollable need to drink. When someone is an alcoholic, they are likely to be completely preoccupied with drinking even if it is doing damage in other areas of their lives. When someone is addicted to alcohol, they develop a tolerance that leads to them drinking more to get the desired effects. Meanwhile, they also start to experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms every time they stop drinking, which create a vicious cycle resulting in alcohol dependence or addiction.
What Are the Signs or Symptoms of Alcoholism?
People who are having problems with alcohol can often seek to conceal their drinking and become secretive about their behavior to those close to them. When confronted with the amount they’re drinking, someone who has become aware of their negative relationship with alcohol is likely to become aggressive and defensive.
Additionally, a person with alcohol dependence of addiction will show the following signs:
- A loss of interest in activities that used to engage them
- Appearing intoxicated at unusual times of day and with more regularity
- Needing to drink more volume of alcohol to get the effects they seek
- Displaying mood swings, appearing tired and irritable.
- An inability not to accept when offered alcohol
- Anxiety, depression or other mental health issues
- Withdrawal from loved ones, becoming secretive and isolated
- Risky behaviors including driving under the influence and casual sexual encounters
- A drop in performance at work or school, often facing losing their job or place at college
How to Treat Alcoholism
The first step towards achieving sobriety is for an individual to accept they have a problem. This is often difficult for a person with alcoholism as they can be in denial of there being an issue. However, whether alcoholic behaviors are recognized by the individual themselves or by those close to them, the next step is to seek help at an alcohol treatment center.
Doctors are likely to diagnose alcoholism if the person exhibits the following:
- An overwhelming compulsion or need to consume alcohol
- A complete inability to quit or even cut down on harmful drinking
- Withdrawal symptoms emerge when they stop using alcohol
- Evidence of tolerance to alcohol
- A preoccupation with obtaining and consuming alcohol to the exclusion of everything else
- Continuing to abuse alcohol despite the damaging consequences
There are different types of alcohol treatment centers available for people with alcoholism although the first stage is common to all programs: detoxification.
Detox rids the body of all contaminants and toxins that have accumulated in the system while a person has been abusing alcohol. The process can be uncomfortable for those who have engaged in heavy drinking for prolonged periods as withdrawal symptoms can be severe. However, supervised detox in a specialist alcohol treatment center allows patients to go through the process with therapeutic relief as and when they require it.
Once detox has been completed, the next stage of rehabilitation can commence.
Rehab consists of an alcoholism treatment program of ongoing alcohol abuse treatment that generally focuses on preparing individuals for a life in sobriety. There are numerous approaches to alcohol rehab, making it easy to choose the best option for each individual concerned.
More people today are turning to holistic medicine for alcohol abuse treatment than ever before and it has been shown that alternative therapies can have distinct benefits in recovery. Rehab patients can learn coping skills they can use in sobriety to protect them from relapse from some of the ancient practices used in holistic alcohol rehab centers including:
- Mindfulness practices like yoga, deep breathing, and meditation
- Art & music therapy
- Experiential treatments such as adventure therapy
- Nutritional advice and awareness
- Physical fitness and exercise
The primary benefit of the holistic approach to alcohol rehab is that participants are introduced to new ways of responding to stressful situations that would otherwise trigger alcohol abuse. Holistic therapies promote self-exploration that often uncovers new skills and talents individuals were unaware of before rehab which can sometimes become lifetime hobbies.
Ultimately, recovering from alcoholism requires significant lifestyle and behavioral changes that many feel more capable of achieving with clinical or holistic support. Nevertheless, once a person has completed an alcohol treatment program at an alcohol rehab center and is taking their first steps in sobriety back home, they can use what they’ve learned to create a better life for themselves.