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When it comes to alcohol recovery, it is not just enough to stop drinking if you have a physical dependence on the chemical substance. The process of quitting is known as detoxification, but alcohol rehabilitation is an equally important part of alcohol addiction treatment. It is through rehabilitation that the addict learns how to change his or her behaviour.
Recognising an Alcohol Addiction
Since alcohol is a commonly abused legal substance, most people do not realise when they have crossed the line from habitual or moderate drinking to something a bit more serious. The recommended guidelines say that men and women should have no more than fourteen units of alcohol per week, which equates to around seven 175 ml glasses of wine or seven pints of average strength lager.
Unfortunately, many people drink far more than this every week, with some drinking this much in just one session. Excessive alcohol consumption can quickly lead to an increased tolerance, which in turn can result in physical dependence.
However, because alcohol is a legal substance and is actively encouraged in modern society, many individuals are unable to comprehend the fact that it is a highly addictive and toxic substance that can cause many mental and physical health problems. Most do not realise they have become addicted to alcohol until they begin to experience severe adverse consequences.
Treating Alcohol Addiction
It is hard for some people to see themselves as alcoholics as they do not drink as soon as they wake up, nor do they stagger about drunk all day. Nevertheless, those who feel that they cannot function without a drink, or need alcohol in order to feel better, may have an addiction.
A physical dependence on alcohol means that the person will experience withdrawal symptoms when the effects of alcohol wear off. These often include nausea, shaking, vomiting, sweating, and headaches, and are commonly felt by alcoholics in the morning after they have gone several hours without a drink. Alcoholics learn very quickly that having another drink of alcohol will make these symptoms subside.
If you have experienced withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, or if you find that you cannot quit drinking even if you want to, you may need alcohol addiction treatment. This usually begins with a programme of detoxification, followed by alcohol rehabilitation.
What is Alcohol Detoxification?
Overcoming alcohol addiction must begin with detoxification. This is the name given to the process of quitting alcohol and then waiting for the body to expel all traces of the toxins. Detoxification typically lasts for a few days to a couple of weeks. However, alcohol detoxification can be complicated due to the fact that alcohol affects almost every single cell in the body.
Withdrawing from alcohol after many years of abuse can result in the body going into shock and then overcompensating in a bid to get back to normal. Those with a severe alcohol addiction may experience a host of withdrawal symptoms including vomiting, shaking, headaches, mood swings, hallucinations, convulsions, and seizures.
Most alcohol addiction treatment experts believe that detoxing from alcohol should only be carried out under careful supervision from a qualified medical professional. This is the safest and most comfortable way for patients to quit alcohol.
What is Alcohol Rehabilitation?
Detoxification from alcohol is just the first step in the recovery process. Quitting alcohol is very important, but rehabilitation is where the patient learns what caused the addictive behaviour in the first place and where he or she will be given the tools needed to stay sober going forward.
Alcohol rehabilitation is a long process, and it requires plenty of patience and commitment. Experienced counsellors and therapists will support the affected individual throughout the process. You must be prepared to do whatever it takes and be open to the changes you will need to make in order to get sober and stay sober.
Types of Therapy
Rehabilitation typically involves various therapies designed to help the patient change his or her addictive behaviour. Individual patients will be given their own treatment plan created around their needs, and it will include various treatments such as supportive psychotherapy, peer support self-help groups, contingency management, cognitive behavioural therapy, and dialectic behavioural therapy.
Rehabilitation programmes sometimes include skills development, which will help the patient when it comes to decision making, relaxation, assertiveness, and stress management.
Choosing the Best Alcohol Rehab Facility
If you are ready to accept help for addiction, you might be wondering how and where to access treatments. Many people fail to get the alcohol addiction treatment they need because they do not know where to look for alcohol rehabilitation facilities.
Thankfully, this is not something you need to fret over; here at UK Rehab, we have already compiled information on the various treatment providers around the country and abroad. We have spent a long time collecting this information, and we continually update it to ensure that clients always have the most current information regarding the treatments available.
We work with organisations from the public and private sectors, including charities, local support groups, the NHS, and private clinics. Our mission is to make addiction services available to everyone, and we understand that everybody has different circumstances that will affect the type of care they need.
Our service is completely confidential, and there is no charge or obligation to take the next step towards recovery. So if you just want some more information on alcohol rehabilitation, or if you are ready to take the next step, contact us here at UK Rehab today.
