Alcoholism is still greatly misunderstood by many members of the general public. It is often seen that some personal weakness or a lack of willpower is what leads to alcoholism and this opinion contributes to why many people struggle to ask for help when trying to recover from alcoholism. While the initial decision to drink and perhaps even abuse, alcohol certainly lies with the individual, once a person becomes completely dependent on alcohol and addiction kicks in and it often requires more than mere willpower to help a person beat alcoholism.
Once alcoholic, changes occur in brain chemistry that tells the body it has to have the alcohol, instead of only wanting it. Stopping the intake of alcohol immediately and completely will thus lead to complications, including withdrawal symptoms and professional help is often required when attempting alcoholic detoxification.
Alcoholic detoxification consists of more than simply the removal of alcohol. Treating alcoholism is most effective when approached in a holistic manner. Not only should the person have access to medical care and attention but often specific medication is also required for this process. Medical science has provided us with some wonderful drugs that copy the chemical effect that alcohol has on the brain and can be used to safely guide an alcoholic through detoxification.
It is critical to ensure professional intervention when planning an alcohol detox as without it the physical complications can be severe, including seizures and death. In addition, psychological counselling is often also very useful, as is assistance for the close friends and family of the addicted patient. The reason for this is that alcoholism often affects not only the addict but also the people around him or her, interrupting their lives just as much.
It is also most useful for the family and significant others close to the alcoholic to be aware of what they can do that may positively impact on the detoxification and recovery of the alcoholic. Attending the clinics Family Programme and counselling sessions will better enable this process.
The alcoholic can also not stay in the clinic forever and will need the educated support of those close to him or her. Having counselling sessions with family will help them to unravel some of the past behaviour and better understand the movement the alcoholics has to make to ensure their long term, contended sobriety. For the alcoholics family to understand the suffering that they have experienced as a part of the illness will better enable them to transform this experience into a useful recovery for the entire family that may even be of benefit to other alcoholics and their loved ones. The family plays a important role in the alcoholic patient’s recovery, this cannot be overstated.
It is often through a crisis, brought about by the family’s refusal to continue to witness the alcoholics continued drinking and resultant mess, which brings about an alcoholic detoxification and treatment in rehab. It is of vital importance for the alcoholics family to be involved in the alcohol rehabilitation process, including attendance at the clinics lecture series, family programme and family conferences. Attending the rehab’s Family Programme will help to deal with the alcoholics denial.
Because people and their situations can vary greatly, treatment specific to the individual is required. To find out more about the alcoholic detoxification services offered by centres in your area, contact We Do Recover.
We specialise in the provision of free information regarding this sensitive topic and with our expertise we will be able to help you make the best choice for your loved one.