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It is hard for much of the general populace to understand that alcohol is a harmful substance. Those who drink alcohol in moderation may never drink to get drunk, and the idea that some people might need an alcohol detox clinic is something they just cannot comprehend.
However, the reality is that alcohol is a highly addictive chemical substance and one that is causing harmful consequences for many individuals around the world every single day. Alcoholism does not occur overnight, however; it is an illness that often takes years to develop, and many people with early stage alcohol addiction will go under the radar for a long time before anyone notices they have a problem. In many instances, the person with the addiction is the last one to realise.
Denial
Denial is a huge part of addiction, and those affected are often guilty of putting their heads in the sand when it comes to their illness. It is not that these individuals are deliberately pig-headed; it is more to do with the fact that they are unable to see the seriousness of their situation.
Many use denial as a way to protect them from facing up to reality. Others find it is easier to deny the problem because, that way, they do not have to think about getting help and actually having to give up the substance that they are addicted to.
Wake-Up Call
Abby Wambach, who was one of womens footballs biggest stars, has opened up about the alcohol and prescription drug addiction that she struggled with for a long time before being given a wake-up call. It was only when Wambach was arrested for driving under the influence in April 2016 that she finally realised she needed to address her addiction problems.
She said, “I was stubborn, and I was in denial. That night getting arrested was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Because if I don’t get so publicly shamed and publicly humiliated, I don’t think I wake up. I think I was asleep for a lot of years. Asleep to the pleas from my family and friends, and even myself, to get help. So that night I was humiliated enough to wake up.”
Humiliation
Wambach said that she woke up the morning after her arrest to see her face splashed across the pages of the US media, and she admits that it helped her to see the damage her addiction was causing. She had a lot going on at the time; she had started a new job and was struggling with retirement from football. There were also marriage troubles to contend with.
Nevertheless, on her release from jail, she decided to immediately address the arrest through Facebook and posted an apology to her family and friends as well as her supporters. Even so, this did not stop sponsors from dropping her.
Wambach has penned her memoirs in a book titled Forward, in which she details her life, including her time as an addict. She admits to having first used cannabis when she was twenty-four years old, before moving on to cocaine at twenty-five. Nonetheless, it was an addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs that she struggled with for many years.
Recognising the Problem
It is often very hard for those with an alcohol addiction to recognise they have a problem. Many have been steadily drinking larger amounts of alcohol over the years without even realising that they are building up a tolerance and developing a physical addiction.
It is usually family and friends who notice a problem at first, but many find that if the issue is raised with the individual, they are met with fierce denials and defensiveness. This is often the case and, unfortunately, it may be enough to deter some family members and friends from tackling the subject again, even if it gets worse.
However, until the addicted person can recognise the problem exists, he or she will not get help, and an alcohol detox clinic will be pointless.
Overcoming Addiction
When an addicted person can finally come to terms with the fact that he or she has a problem, the next step will be reaching out for help. This first part of the recovery process is usually detoxification, which generally takes place in an alcohol detox clinic.
Detox is the process of quitting alcohol or drugs and then waiting for all traces of the toxins to leave the body. It can be complicated, particularly for those who have been abusing alcohol for many years, because of the fact that alcohol affects almost every part of the body.
It is not uncommon for those detoxing from alcohol to experience a range of unpleasant side effects, known as withdrawal symptoms. These can include:
- sweating
- shaking
- nausea
- headache
- vomiting
- mood swings
- hallucinations
- seizures
- convulsions.
It is, therefore, always a good idea to carry out a detox in an alcohol detox clinic where professional staff are on hand to supervise and provide medical care if necessary.
After detox, rehabilitation begins, and this is the process of learning to live without alcohol. Here at UK Rehab, we can provide information about detox and rehabilitation clinics in towns and cities across the UK.
As part of our free service, we offer information on addiction and the treatments available as well as a full assessment of an affected individuals situation that will give him or her a clearer picture of their needs in terms of overcoming the illness. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you if you have an alcohol problem.
Source: Abby Wambach: Football star admits alcohol abuse (BBC)
