Alcohol is a psychoactive substance widely known to cause various diseases, injuries, negative consequences. Alcohol addiction is increasing at an upsetting rate. It doesn’t just lead to adverse health consequences but also brings financial loss and harms closed ones and society at large. Below are some alarming key facts about alcohol use:
- Worldwide, 3 million deaths are a direct result of harmful alcohol use, representing 5.3% of all deaths annually. It is the 8th highest leading cause of death.
- Despite this known fact, globally 19.4 litres alcohol was consumed by males and 7 litres was consumed by females annually.
- The highest alcohol consumption was seen in Europe, and on the other end of the spectrum was North Africa and Middle East.
- During COVID, alcohol consumption increased by 60% in America.
- 2% of Americans have an Alcohol Use Disorder in 2020, and 1% of worldwide population as of 2019.
When to know to seek help?
Taking a celebratory drink or drinking at parties and events is not uncommon. Alcohol is one of the most widely consumed substances and most adults would have tried alcohol at least once in their lives. So when does it become a problem?
When there is an inability to control or stop drinking despite negative consequences it can be identified as alcoholism or alcohol use disorder (AUD). It involves an uncontrollable urge to drink and dependence, a neglect of obligations with unsuccessful attempts to quit.
Alcohol Rehabilitation
Overcoming alcoholism or alcohol use disorder requires long-term support and patience but it is achievable with alcohol rehabilitation. To rehabilitate someone suffering from AUD or alcohol harm, a combination of medical, psychological and social interventions are used depending on the severity. Below are the steps taken in alcohol rehabilitation which can be used as a guide.
Assessment and Evaluation
Acceptance of the dependence is usually required to take the first step, then one seeks professional help and assistance. The rehabilitation process starts with an overall assessment of medical and genetic history, severity and frequency of substance use along with identification of any co-occurring disorders or conditions for an individualized treatment plan.
A personalized alcohol intervention plan is a tailored treatment and relapse prevention plan made using the aforementioned aspects to increase the chances of rehabilitation and further reduce the changes of relapsing.
Alcohol Detox Process
Alcohol detoxification is the first step in the process which is carried out in medical supervision for physically dependent patients that targets a reduction of the physical withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, tremors, sweating and/or anxiety.
Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation
Inpatient Rehab involves residing at a treatment facility for an intensive structured program which is highly supervised to facilitate recovery. It involves 24/7 medical supervision, intensive individual and group therapy, peer support and a holistic recovery plan with minimal exposure to the outside. Usually this mode of treatment is for higher severity patients.
Outpatient Alcohol Treatment
Outpatient Rehab involves individuals attending treatment sessions at a centre while living at home. Hence, this mode of treatment is more flexible and for patients with varied levels of intensity. It also involves individual and group therapy, medical assistance as required and an integrated recovery strategy.
Effective Alcohol Counseling
Therapists trained in substance abuse counseling and treatment are recognized and certified to help an addict’s recovery process. Alcohol treatment usually is seen to effective when utilized in combination of individual therapy addressing personal triggers and coping mechanisms, with group and family therapy. Further, a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) facilitated by a therapist can help in providing a holistic recovery.
Holistic Addiction Recovery
Many rehabilitation programs employ a holistic addiction recovery plan which includes yoga, meditation, art therapy and acupuncture that focus on overall well-being of an individual. These are incorporated in combination with other traditional therapies or can also be given without, wherein the highlight is on lifestyle, nutrition and wellness.
Evidence-Based Addiction Therapy
These are specialized therapy modalities which are used for treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), including Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical BehaviorTherapy (DBT). These are often used in combination with different goals achieved using different therapies.
- MET aims to identify and break out of their alcohol use patterns, with use of techniques such as motivational interviewing. It strengthens the motivation and commitment of an individual to change their destructive behaviors.
- CBT aims to assist patients in recognizing their triggers and underlying factors that influence their behaviors and change their thought pattern and behavioral outcome.
- DBT aims to use and integrate cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies to help the patients regulate emotions and cope with their triggers and improve their interpersonal relations.
Aftercare and Ongoing Support
Post formal treatment and recovery, the patient requires continuation of support while transitioning back to their regular environment. At this stage follow-up and peer support groups can be of crucial help to prevent relapse. Support groups can include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other similar support strategies to maintain recovery.
Quality Alcohol Treatment
It is very important to keep these steps in mind when attempting to seek support or treatment for alcohol addiction. A very crucial step is to look at accredited, licensed treatment facilities and licensed, trained therapists to help patients through their recovery process to ensure a quality alcohol treatment plan is followed. A comprehensive assessment with individualized treatment plan also makes a big difference.
Accredited Rehab Centers
Depending on the region you are seeking help in, there are multiple government registered or recognized centres that can help you receive quality care and meet the required standards and practices in addiction treatment.
In the United States, the Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) provides a list of accredited facilities for addiction treatment and search tools for the same have been herein linked.
Its important to remember that choosing a treatment facility, centre, therapist or plan should fit into your personal, financial requirements as well as be a good fit for the patient’s treatment. Consulting with healthcare specialists can be of great benefit in finding the most suitable and effective treatment option. And here at North American Behavioral Health Services, we ensure that all your needs are taken care of and you get the best possible treatment at only accredited rehab centers.
