ALCOHOL ADDICTION

When deciding which treatment is right an early consideration is whether outpatient or inpatient rehab is best.

Learning as much as you can about the different treatments and approaches will make deciding easier.

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Our professionals will assess:

Contact We do Recover

• Duration, type, and severity of the addiction

• Age and general health

• Other medications

• Mental health

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1) Inpatient Addiction Treatment.

The first phase of rehab is detox. This will be medically managed to ensure it is safe and comfortable. Some addictions can be severe and even life-threatening. Withdrawal symptoms must be medically managed in a professional clinic allowing the medication to slowly wean the patient off the drugs or alcohol and normalize their sleeping and eating routines.

Behavioral addictions like sex, gambling or eating disorders normally don’t require a medical detox.

Then it’s time to treat the underlying causes of the addiction to alcohol, drugs or other compulsive behaviors. This will involve a tailored treatment plan being developed by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, counselors, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, and social workers. The treatment plan in continually evolved to meet patients changing needs.

Treatment needs to be comprehensive using evidence-based therapies that allow the patient to reintegrate back into society, family, and work.

Adolescents have different needs and will be treated in a separate facility. Mixing the two populations is not best practice.

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2) Outpatient Rehab Options.

Outpatient programs are suitable for less severe addictions that do not require a detox. Different out-patient rehabs can provide treatment varying between 2 and 8 hours a day. This allows patients to sleep at home and some to continue working.

Out-patient rehab uses similar treatment modalities such as individual counseling, group therapy, lectures, medication-assisted therapy, conjoint family therapy, and aftercare planning.

Random alcohol and drug tests are necessary to ensure sobriety outside of treatment. Should this less intensive outpatient route fail, in-patient treatment is recommended. Patients with a dual diagnosis (mental health issues and addiction), or severe, long-standing addictions generally require inpatient treatment.

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3) Positive Treatment Experience.

Evidence shows that a positive group therapy experience plays a significant role in the treatment and its success.

Group therapy reduces feelings of shame and isolation, instilling hope and a connection to sober peers. Shared recovery wisdom allows patients to encourage one another and model sober behavior. This includes confronting each other on “blind spots” about the effects of addiction or other negative behaviors.

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Some important facts to know about treatment.

• The sooner someone with addiction gets help, their better their chances of recovery.

• The patient does not have to want to be admitted for treatment to be successful.  Addiction has been proven to be a brain disease and addition itself often makes patients last to realize the severity of the problem.

• Families and friends can be co-dependently enabling.

• Costs: Unless you’re on a medical aid or some form of private medical insurance, paying for treatment can be expensive. However, the cost of not getting treatment is much higher.

• Time: It’s one of the oldest truisms in the addiction treatment field: the best friend a patient has in treatment is time.  Individuals say, “Oh, I couldn’t possibly be away from home and work for 30 days.” But the reality is that if you die from this disease, you’ll be away a lot longer.  While some patients stay for detox only, stays of 30 days to 90 days allow patients to focus on recovery as well as psychological issues, improving success.

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Every patient’s needs must be assessed to formulate an individualized treatment plan that is evidence-based and continuously adapted during treatment to meet their changing needs.

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4) Extended Treatment and Long-Term Rehab.

Continued care takes place in a variety of settings, from ongoing inpatient treatment at a secondary care center, a halfway house, weekly aftercare groups, meetings with therapists and various 12 step self-help groups.

Invariably patients that choose to have more support are better able to maintain sobriety.

Some patients can reintegrate into a healthy sober lifestyle with aftercare support and some need long-term rehab before beginning the reintegration journey.

Halfway Houses are the most cost-effective way of extending treatment long-term. They’re useful for reintegration or when the living situation doesn’t support sobriety.

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5) Getting Help.

Finding the right addiction rehab for you or a loved one may seem like a scary task, but it doesn’t have to be.

Treatment professionals are on hand to help you every step of the way.  Speaking to your doctor or mental health professional may be a good first step in determining the best type of addiction treatment to suit your needs.

If you’re looking for information on addictions counselling then it’s likely that your life is being negatively affected by addiction.
Either your own drug and alcohol use has come to the point where you want to quit or HAVE TO begin looking at options around quitting. For more information on how normal it is to have addicted conflict around quitting – read our linked article above.

Most often addiction treatment centers are contacted by the patients family because their loved one is suffering from the progression of the disease of addiction.  Whatever the reason that you’re investigating this topic we hope that this article will provide you with some useful information.

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ADDICTIONS COUNSELLING IN CONTEXT

Addictions counseling was unknown as a field of study until the middle of last century. Before then addicts and alcoholics were treated as psychiatric patients who had little or no hope of ever leading a normal life.  There were no established treatment protocols that worked with the result that addicts and alcoholics would quickly relapse after leaving “treatment”.

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The 12 step fellowship of AA never intended (and still doesn’t) itself to be an addictions counseling service but was arguably a catalyst for the development of effective programs.  When alcoholics demonstrated that by talking about their problem with one another within the context of a spiritual program kept them sober the medical field began to take notice.

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WHAT HAPPENS IN ADDICTIONS COUNSELLING?

Addictions counseling is very similar to other forms of therapy in methodology but also radically different in other respects.  Addiction reaches into so many areas of life that to root it out requires a great many issues to be addressed and interpreted.  Thus it is more complex than counseling certain other issues.

Generally speaking, addictions counseling is a lengthy process that draws out a complete life history from the patient and then explores these issues.  By coming to terms with past trauma and learning new ways of dealing with present problems addicts are empowered to choose a new way of life.  This is accomplished in group therapy and individual therapy.

Group therapy in addictions counseling is where the community of addicts in the treatment center meet together with the addictions counselor and discuss their experiences.  By hearing how other people have dealt with issues similar to their own addicts realize that they are not alone and receive valuable tips on how to cope with problems.  Additionally, group members will provide each other with feedback which is valuable for identifying blind spots and issues that they might otherwise have been unaware of.

Individual therapy is a session between the patient and his/her caseworker.  The patient receives direct, individual, attention in these sessions.  These addictions counseling sessions are kept confidential with the result that patients can share issues that they might feel awkward about airing publically or in a group setting.

IS ADDICTIONS COUNSELLING EFFECTIVE?

Yes, provided that the patient is willing to engage fully in the process and follow all of the recommendations of the treatment team.  Getting patients to comply with treatment is an art form that addictions counselors practice, but ultimately it is up to the patient to decide whether they want to be healed or not.  Addictions counseling is only as effective as you let it be.
If you are concerned about your addiction and want to find out how you can reclaim your life and dignity please contact We Do Recover today for a confidential addiction assessment

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All the best wishes as you embark upon this courageous journey.

What’s the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction?

Answer:
Essentially alcohol abuse is too much, too often and alcohol dependence is the inability to quit drinking despite the negative consequences.

Alcohol abuse leads to unfulfilled responsibilities at home, work or school and/or repeated dangerous situations as a result of drinking. Alcohol dependence has similar criteria for abuse but is more severe.

These symptoms include; increased tolerance, drinking larger amounts or for longer periods than intended, an inability to reduce or stop drinking despite negative consequences and withdrawal symptoms.

Three key features of all addictions are compulsion (powerlessness overtaking the first drink), obsession (persistent & dominating thoughts to drink) and loss of control (can’t stop drinking once started).

 

Once addicted, permanent changes happen to the brain’s reward, motivation and memory circuit’s resulting in intense craving. It’s important to recognize that once addicted, stopping drinking isn’t a matter of will power, the strength of character or intellect.

Alcohol dependence has been proved to be a brain disease. Once you drink enough to become alcoholic, the brain cannot return to its pre-alcoholic state, where ‘normal’ drinking was possible.

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Alcoholism is:
– A primary illness and needs to be treated first. Many secondary ailments e.g. depression, simply disappear once the alcoholic is in stable recovery. Comprehensive treatment will address co-occurring mental health issues should they exist.
– Chronic (lasts longer than 3 months), results in physical, mental, social & spiritual problems. Alcoholics pathologically seek relief through drinking in spite of the dysfunction it causes in relationships and has a greatly diminished awareness of the negative effect their drinking is having. Most alcoholic’s need to be pressured into a rehab center and this has no bearing on treatment success.

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The CAGE test below was developed by Dr. John Ewing at University of North Carolina in 1984.

C –Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
A –Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
G –Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
E – Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

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The CAGE test is intended to identify alcohol problems over the lifetime. Any 2 positive answers indicate a need for further assessment.

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 The DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV published by the American Psychiatric Association) defines alcohol abuse symptoms as:

1.   A maladaptive (unhealthy, sick) pattern of alcohol abuse leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:

• Recurrent alcohol use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to alcohol abuse; alcohol-related absences, suspensions or expulsions from school, work or home; or neglect of children, household or other responsibilities).

• Recurrent alcohol abuse in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine).

• Recurrent alcohol-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for alcohol-related disorderly conduct).

• Continued alcohol use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the alcohol (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication or physical fights).

2.   The patient exhibiting these symptoms must never have met the criteria for alcohol dependence.

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This brief “Cage Questionnaire” is framed more for the person displaying alcohol abuse symptoms and is another reliable indicator of alcohol-related problems:

C: Have you ever felt that you should Cut down on your drinking?

A: Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

G: Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?

E: Have you ever had an Eye opener – a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover

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One “yes” answer indicates a risk for Alcohol Abuse and/or dependence alcohol use problems; more than one “yes” indicates a high likelihood.

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Here’s a new comparison fact sheet, “Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison Between DSM–IV and DSM–5”

The Eleven Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

1. Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.

2. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.

3. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from its effects.

4. Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use alcohol.

5. Recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.

6. Continued alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of alcohol.

7. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.

8. Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.

9. Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by alcohol.

10. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following: a) A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect b) A markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.

11. Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following: a) The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol (refer to criteria A and B of the criteria set for alcohol withdrawal) b) Alcohol (or a closely related substance, such as a benzodiazepine) is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

For an alcoholic to stop drinking alcohol may be the best decision ever made, however, it is easier said than done. 

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If you are physically dependent on alcohol, you need to stop drinking under the supervision of a doctor.

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In most cases, an experienced doctor would prescribe medication to ease an alcoholics withdrawal symptoms.  In serious cases, the alcoholic’s condition may be so bad that he or she has to be admitted to the hospital for detoxification.

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Alcohol withdrawal for someone who is addicted to alcohol can be dangerous, which is why medical supervision is necessary. The medication, usually Librium – which has the benefit of mimicking the effect alcohol has on the brain and so is very useful in alcohol detox, is there to assist the physical withdrawal from alcohol which can, in extreme cases, be fatal.

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Whilst we’re looking only at practical ways to stop drinking alcohol, it’s important to realise that the medication is only an aid; it is not a magic cure-all and addresses only the physical feature of the alcohol addiction.  The craving alcohol despite ongoing damage due to drinking is a mental process and needs to be addressed for alcoholism to effectively be in remission.

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Practical Ways to Stop Drinking

Take the First Step – After you have taken this very important first step to stop drinking, you need to begin to develop a plan for yourself. Continually review your list of reasons why you want to stop drinking. Decide what minor changes will help you to change your lifestyle. One example could be that instead of driving past your local pub, you take a different route home so that you will not be tempted.

When you feel like a drink, make yourself wait another hour. Set a date for yourself to stop drinking. Share your plan with somebody else that will encourage and support you. As much as we need encouragement and support to stop drinking, it’s important that this person also hold you accountable. It’s no good just having all the love and support in the world and no consequences on the other side. A balanced approach is best. After all, we as alcoholics can’t expect our loved ones to stand by our sides and watch us commit slow-motion, covert suicide through drinking, can we?

That would be immensely unhealthy for them to do and at some point, the people around alcoholics have to begin to stand back, create some distance and take care of themselves.

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Ask for Help – Most people cannot do this on their own, so if you are dependent on alcohol, contact wedorecover.com and we’ll help to get you into a local alcohol treatment centre. If you cannot afford to be an in-patient at a treatment centre, there may be other options available, such as joining a recovery group.

Statistics have proven that addicts can and do help each other. It is also really important for anyone who is serious about stopping drinking to establish a sober support network. Speak to your friends and family. They will want to help you to reach your goal. If necessary, enlist for counselling.

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Keep a Journal – To stop drinking can be a struggle. At times, it’s all too easy to get gets lost in the process and forget about the good gains you’ve made. A journal helps you to evaluate your progress. It can provide an independent, external record of where you’ve been and how far you’ve travelled. Write down your realistic goals in your journal. Write down the number of drinks you consume each day or week and review your progress regularly.

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Remove Alcohol from the Home -It is best not to have the temptation of alcohol within easy reach at home, as it is too easy to reach for the bottle if you’re having a difficult moment and the alcohol is easily available. The journey of sobriety is not an easy one and it is very easy to deceive yourself along the way. For this reason, it’s best to include some outside input in the form of an AA sponsor, an addictions counsellor or even group therapy. If you’re lucky enough to get into one of the wedorecover.com alcohol rehab’s group therapy will be a staple part of the treatment. Often bonds that are forged in alcohol rehab are very different and somehow deeper than bonds we form with most other connections in our lives. If there are bottles of alcohol in the house mark your bottles so that you can see how quickly the alcohol level drops.

Try only to keep small amounts of alcohol if you are trying to cut back and be sure not to drink more than the recommended daily limits.

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Slow Your Drinking Down – Pace Yourself – This seems easier said than done, but after a while, it becomes a habit to pace yourself. When sipping a drink, taste each sip and focus on the taste, rather than throwing it back.       Alternate between an alcoholic beverage and a non-alcoholic drink. It is a good idea to have a glass of water for every drink you consume. Do not drink when you are hungry or thirsty, as you will drink more.

Start Drinking Later in the Day – Wait an extra half an hour from the time you usually have your first drink. Push it 10 minutes further back each day. Eventually, there will not be much time for drinking before bed. Drink in moderation then if you have to. It defeats the object if you manage to push back your drinking time and then gulp twice the amount in half the time – that is no way to cut back or stop drinking.

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Take a Break from Drinking – Sometimes alcoholics boast: “I can stop whenever I like,” This can be used as proof to the people around the active alcoholic. If I can stop whenever I like, I’m in control and I don’t need to stop. This rationalisation is very unhealthy. OK, so do not stress yourself, do it gradually. Choose a day of the week, which is your drink-free day. When you manage to achieve this regularly, increase it to twice a week. Build it up until you manage a week free of drink. Focus on how you feel on those weeks.

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Avoid Temptation -consider what your ‘high risk’ circumstances are, which trigger the desire to drink. Try to avoid those situations as much as possible. If certain feelings are the triggers, find ways of replacing your coping mechanism of abusing alcohol. How about listening to uplifting music or going for a run? This might distract you from the urge to drink. Use whatever helps you. A few examples are sports, games, hobbies, or visiting friends.

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Cut Back on Drinking – Exercise – The anxiety that causes you to fidget when you are trying to stop drinking can be channelled into exercise, which has additional benefits for your well-being. Join the local gym or a walking group or whatever most appeal to you. It is a good idea to do it with other people and to structure something on a regular basis. Joining other’s who are trying to get and keep healthy through exercise is a great way to meet new people who’ve no alcoholic background, thereby extending your social circle of non-problem drinkers.

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Reward Yourself – Do something you enjoy when you achieve a goal, no matter how small the goal or the reward. Use the money, which you usually spent on alcohol to reward yourself. Try using it for a massage or a facial or even put it towards a holiday!

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Persevere  – When you fail, do not give up. Start again. Alcohol abuse and problem drinking is a relapsing condition and everyone who’s become dependent on alcohol fails before they finally succeed. Giving up alcohol is a journey and a process.

All the best wishes as you embark upon this courageous journey.

To outward appearances, the difference between alcohol abuse symptoms and alcohol dependency, better known as alcoholism, maybe indistinguishable but between the two conditions, lies a fine line that once crossed cannot be retracted.  Left unattended alcohol abuse may progress to become a brain disease – alcoholism.

 

Once alcoholic a person can never return to controlled drinking. This article will help you to clarify whether you or a loved are experiencing alcohol abuse symptoms. Whilst the final diagnosis is best made by a qualified addictions counsellor or similar professional we hope to shed some light for family and friends of those with an alcohol abuse problem.

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 The DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV published by the American Psychiatric Association) defines alcohol abuse symptoms as:

1.   A maladaptive (unhealthy, sick) pattern of alcohol abuse leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:

• Recurrent alcohol use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to alcohol abuse; alcohol-related absences, suspensions or expulsions from school, work or home; or neglect of children, household or other responsibilities).

• Recurrent alcohol abuse in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine).

• Recurrent alcohol-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for alcohol-related disorderly conduct).

• Continued alcohol use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the alcohol (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication or physical fights).

2.   The patient exhibiting these symptoms must never have met the criteria for alcohol dependence.

Another good indicator of abnormal drinking with the potential to be termed abuse is when you begin to worry about someone else’s drinking. If you’re concerned that their alcohol abuse may be spiraling out of control, chances are there’s a problem.

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Normal drinkers rarely raise concern amongst their family and friends about their drinking habits. Again if you’re not sure, seek guidance from alcohol and addiction professionals. If nothing else exploring whether your loved one has an alcohol abuse problem will put your mind at ease and it may be the step you need to take before things become worse.

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This brief “Cage Questionnaire” is framed more for the person displaying alcohol abuse symptoms and is another reliable indicator of alcohol-related problems:

C: Have you ever felt that you should Cut down on your drinking?

A: Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

G: Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?

E: Have you ever had an Eye opener – a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover

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One “yes” answer indicates a risk for Alcohol Abuse and/or dependence alcohol use problems; more than one “yes” indicates a high likelihood. Alcoholism is a treatable but non-curable, life-threatening, illness. It has severe consequences for the alcoholic, the family and friends of the alcoholic and society at large.

While alcohol abuse does not always develop into alcoholism, alcohol abuse is by no means healthy nor should it be confused with normal social drinking behaviors. Alcohol abuse is a problem. Like alcoholism, it’s a problem that can bring about severe life-changing consequences leading to; legal problems, relationship disputes, and divorce, problems with work and career, social problems and severe health problems, both physical and psychological.

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If you’re not sure whether you or a loved one is showing alcohol abuse symptoms or suffering with some other addiction problem, call us, we can help you to devise a plan that will clarify the best way forward. We’re on hand to receive your call right now…What could be more important than dealing with these alcohol abuse symptoms?