Alcohol Addiction Treatment: What To Expect
As a central nervous system depressant that is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream,
alcohol gives initial effects like relaxation and loss of inhibitions. A person
who is intoxicated experiences slurred speech, unsteady gait, lack of coordination,
impaired attention, poor concentration, memory, and judgment. Some people become
more aggressive and may even display inappropriate sexual behavior. It is for
these reasons that treating alcoholism addiction is never a joking matter and
involves issues that are difficult to shift, requiring time to do so.
When talking about drug and alcohol treatment, withdrawal and detoxification,
symptoms are of vital consideration. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin 4 to
12 hours after cessation or marked reduction in alcohol intake. The following
can be expected:
- coarse hand tremors
- sweating
- elevated pulse and blood pressure
- insomnia
- anxiety
- nausea
- vomiting
Severe or untreated withdrawal may progress to transient hallucinations, seizures
or delirium. According to the American Psychiatric Association, alcohol withdrawal
usually peaks on the second day and is over in about 5 days. However, this can
vary and withdrawal may take 1 to 2 weeks.
Because alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening, detoxification needs to
be accomplished under medical supervision. If the client's withdrawal symptoms
are mild and he or she can abstain from alcohol, he or she can be treated safely
at home. For more severe withdrawal or for clients who cannot abstain during
detoxification, a short admission of 3 to 5 days is the most common approach.
Some psychiatric units also admit clients for detoxification, but this is less
common.
Treatment for symptoms of alcoholism depends on the alcoholic. While some alcoholics
are dependent on alcohol, the bulk of patients seeking alcoholism treatment
periodically abuse alcohol resulting in serious legal, financial, occupational,
and social consequences. Alcoholism treatment involves a social and medical
approach of detoxification and medical evaluation and monitoring along with
group, individual and family therapy. The success of alcoholism treatment ultimately
depends on the person's motivation and willingness; and relapse plan participation.
People can recover from alcoholism at an alcohol treatment center. Many people
have done so and rejoined society as sober and productive members of society,
free from the trap of alcoholism. There are alcohol treatment centers that offer
the essentials of alcoholism treatment including out-patient therapy, sober
living facilities and incorporation of significant alcoholism treatment programs.
Recovery from alcohol dependence at an alcohol treatment facility means stopping
the behavior, addressing the root causes of alcoholism and beginning the process
of changing old habits and patterns that perpetuated the disease.
Specific alcohol treatment programs usually include: 90 day extended residential
care; transitional work program; outpatient program; alternative sentencing
program; family program; and many others designed to help a person suffering
from alcohol intoxication recover.
Alcohol addiction is not a life sentence. A person does not need to live a life
under the cloak of shame, anonymity and dreadful societal stigmas. There are
tailored alcoholism recovery programs that are not only appealing to those in
need of treatment, but ones that provides best of breed results in a respectful,
compassionate, comfortable, private environment. There are no more stigmas -
just a focus on results.
Alcoholism Treatment
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