Anyone can let their use of alcohol get out of hand, but unfortunately, most people are still of the opinion that alcohol is a harmless substance. This has a lot to do with how it is marketed and the fact that it remains completely legal to buy, even though it is an addictive substance that some say is as bad, if not worse, than many illegal drugs.
When consumed in moderation, the health risks associated with alcohol are comparatively low but are still present nevertheless. As alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, it affects every part of the body. It has been linked to many health issues, both physical and mental, and is known to be a contributory factor in a number of cancers.
It should also be mentioned that alcohol is a substance to which you can develop both a physical and psychological dependence. When this happens, a programme of alcohol rehabilitation is usually required to break the bond and regain control of your life. How does alcohol rehab work though? And do you need it? These are questions that we will answer in this blog post.
Do You Need Alcohol Rehab?
Before answering the question of ‘how does alcohol rehab work’, it is important to establish if you need rehab. To do this, you will need to think about how you use alcohol as there is no physical examination or blood test that can be used to diagnose the condition.
It is necessary to examine your drinking habits, how you act around alcohol and, most importantly, how much control you have over your use. Many individuals have misconceptions about what constitutes alcoholism or what characteristics someone must have to be classed as an alcoholic.
For example, the notion that alcoholics all drink from the time they wake up to the moment they go back to bed, or that they all drink cheap spirits, is one that many people hold true. However, alcoholism takes many different forms.
It is possible, for instance, to be an alcoholic even if you do not drink alcohol every day. Moreover, you can be an alcoholic if you only ever drink beer or cider. Alcoholism is not about the substance being abused or how frequently you drink; it is about the amount of control you have over your use and whether you continue to drink knowing it is going to have negative consequences for you and your loved ones.
If you are struggling to control your alcohol consumption and cannot quit once you start, then it is likely that you need some professional help to do so.
How to Overcome an Alcohol Problem?
If you have a problem with alcohol, it is necessary to break the cycle of abuse in the first instance. This means that you will probably need to complete a programme of alcohol detox, which will address the physical element of the illness. Once this is complete, you can then think about a rehab programme. So how does alcohol rehab work?
Overcoming an alcohol addiction takes time and patience. You might be keen to get started on your recovery programme as soon as possible. If this is the case, you will need to consider a programme of inpatient rehab provided by a private clinic. This is because most outpatient programmes provided by the likes of the NHS and charities are heavily over-subscribed and come with extensive waiting lists.
Although inpatient programmes are condensed and take place over a shorter period than outpatient programmes, it is important to remember that there is no quick fix when it comes to recovery from alcoholism.
You will need to be prepared to make changes to your lifestyle, and these changes need to be permanent. You are going to have to remember that your sobriety is something you will have to work on going forward if you are to avoid a relapse.
Whatever type of programme you choose, rehabilitation will help you get to the root of your problems. After all, there is almost certainly a reason that you initially developed an addiction to alcohol.
Counsellors and therapists will work closely with you to identify the causes of your addictive behaviour as these will need to be addressed for you to move on. This usually takes place through various therapy sessions.
It is likely that you will be given a tailored programme of treatment that is designed around you and your requirements. Your plan will include elements of behavioural therapies that will take place on a one-to-one basis with you and your counsellor or therapist or in a group setting with other patients and one or more counsellors or therapists. You might also be treated with holistic therapies that are designed to reduce stress, eliminate cravings, and improve overall wellbeing.
How to Know Which Alcohol Rehab to Choose?
The first step on the road to recovery is admitting to having a problem, which is often the hardest thing to do. Nobody wants to admit that their use of alcohol has become an issue that requires professional help, but it is worth remembering that alcoholism is a progressive illness. It is unlikely to get better without treatment.
Once you have accepted that you need help, you will need to consider where and how you are going to access that help. The fact that there are so many different options for treatment here in the UK is both a positive and a negative. Knowing that you have plenty of choices means that you can be selective when it comes to finding the right programme. However, with so much to choose from, it can be overwhelming, particularly if you do not really know what you should be looking for.
That is where Addiction Helper can help. We are a referral service with an in-depth knowledge of the addiction services industry. We have been helping people find the right alcohol rehab programme for many years, and we like to think that we are good at it.
We do this by providing a full assessment of your situation when you get in touch with us. When we do this, we can get a greater understanding of your problem and we will be able to determine how severe your illness is. This will allow us to match you to a treatment provider who will be able to meet your needs.
In addition to assessing the severity of your illness, we will also take other factors into account before recommending any provider. We know that you will have your own preference in terms of the type of programme you want to complete and that you may have commitments at home or at work that will impact on your decision in terms of who provides your care. These are things that we take into consideration when matching you to a suitable provider.
If you want to overcome an addiction to alcohol or if you have been wondering how does alcohol rehab work, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us here at Addiction Helper. We can answer any queries you might have and provide information on how you can beat your addiction once and for all. Please call today for further information on how we can help you.