Alcoholism Explained
As with any other addictions, alcohol dependency is a serious brain disorder that with the right combination of treatments, can be overcome. Alcohol addiction is not a result of poor willpower, as once believed. It’s important to realise that people addicted to drink are unable to control their dependency on alcohol due to the changes drinking causes in the brain.
This change in brain function is what causes the drinker’s change in behaviour complete lack of power over alcohol consumption. As if starving for food, the alcoholic brain sends a message to the drinker that they desperately need to feed themselves or in this case, quench their thirst for alcohol.
That may sound extreme but to understand the severity of alcohol addiction and help people to stop drinking, we must imagine that the alcoholic wants to get help to quit drinking but is utterly unable to do so despite the disastrous consequences of continued drinking.
How to Identify an Addiction to Drink
If you notice any of the below symptoms in your loved one, it is very likely that they are dependent on alcohol:
- They begin to drink a lot more than what is socially acceptable with the amount increasing over time in order to reach the same level of intoxication
- Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol
- There is an obvious need for drink and lack of control of amounts drunk
- Continuation of drinking alcohol even though dire consequences result
Getting Help to Quit Drinking
Many reputable alcoholism rehabs offer a comprehensive care plan for people seeking help to quit drinking. These rehabilitation centres deal with all sorts of addictions and have professional nurses and doctors who are equipped and ready to handle even the worst alcoholism cases. By getting help to quit drinking, the person who is suffering from alcohol addiction is saying: “I can no longer control my drinking; I need help!”
Of course, admitting to having a drinking problem is not always common for people in the grips of a serious drinking problem. In many cases it’s necessary for families of alcoholics to intervene and put some pressure on their loved one to get help to quit drinking. In this way, they are saying: “We love you and can no longer stand aside and let you do this to yourself. You need to get help for this drink problem.”
Just because the alcoholic has not come to the conclusion on his or her own and is unable to see that they need help to quit drinking; doesn’t mean that once admitted to a good alcohol treatment program the drinker will not be as successful in their recovery as someone who admits himself voluntarily. Alcohol rehabilitation should also look at enhancing the drinker’s motivation to stay sober.
Relapse prevention is also very important for the alcoholic in recovery; they should leave the alcohol rehabilitation clinic feeling prepared to handle cravings, knowing what their triggers are and how to manage their addictive behaviour. For the individual seeking help for their drinking problem it is essential that the rehab they choose is equipped to deal with alcoholism specifically. The facility should also focus on a successful relapse prevention strategy by providing coping methods that will help the alcoholic to minimise the risks of returning to drinking.
Help is at Hand
If you are confused by the amount of alcohol addiction clinics out there who claim to help people with drinking problems, don’t waste unnecessary time weeding out the good ones; call us right now. Each person who is addicted to alcohol has a unique story and requires individualised help to quit drinking. Call us right now, we see that the alcoholic is matched with an alcohol rehab that offers the right kind of care for their individual needs.
If you or a loved one has developed drinking problems and is looking for solutions, please call us right now – help is at hand.