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Alcoholism Treatment Centers

 

Alcoholism treatment centers provide alcohol addicts with a wide range of programs designed to help focus on recovery without any distractions. These programs include inpatient, intensive outpatient programs, therapy and partial hospitalization.

Inpatient treatment is a good choice for anyone who wants to focus completely on recovery without the stress or distractions of work, school, or social obligations. It allows for a thorough immersion in the recovery process and may be a good choice for people who have tried other treatments unsuccessfully.

Inpatient treatment for alcohol rehabilitation may last anywhere from four weeks to six months or longer. Recovery times depend on the specific case and needs of the individual. These programs also offer specialized and focus treatment, and they can be improved for any specific limitations the individual has.

Therapy. Therapies are designed to help addicts better understand and analyze the core issues that fostered their alcohol abuse, and how to develop effective strategies to deal with them. They are also taught specific coping skills for

Residential rehabilitation program: Also known as residential rehab provides addiction treatment programs for alcohol or drug addicts. Patients reside at the residential treatment facility for the period of their treatment program which may be short-term (30 days or less) or long-term (more than 30 days). Residential rehabilitation comprises of different forms of treatment, depending on the specific needs of the patient. This include group therapy, educational seminars, and discussions, behavioral therapy, and training in relapse prevention.

The duration of treatment depends on factors such as dual diagnosis, the presence of mental health disorders, duration, and frequency of alcohol use and other factors.

Alcohol Recovery Timeline

 

The alcohol withdrawal and recovery timeline is broken down into a few distinct phases, which we highlight below.

 

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Acute Withdrawal

 

Alcohol abuse affects the levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to the body’s reward system. This pleasure center regulates your energy, mood, and motivation. Alcohol releases dopamine, triggering some of the good feelings addicts crave. As the body begins to build a higher tolerance to alcohol, the brain becomes more dependent on the substance for feel-good neurotransmitters.

Alcohol in itself is a depressant. When taken, it inhibits certain receptors in the brain, leading to a depressive effect on the central nervous system. It slows down brain activity and alters the way the neurons relay information back and forth.

When a chronic and heavy drinker suddenly decides to stop drinking alcohol, dopamine production also halts, causing physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms start to manifest six hours after the last drink. They include tremor, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion, irritability, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), loss of appetite, mood swings, high blood pressure and increased body temperature.

Some alcoholics may experience a more severe form of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, known as delirium tremens. Delirium tremens occurs in people who drink in excess of alcohol for months or even years.

Delirium tremens symptoms include

  • Seizures,
  • Altered mental status (confusion),
  • Sudden mood changes,
  • Tactile hallucinations (having a sense of itching, burning or numbness that isn’t actually occurring.
  • Visual hallucinations or seeing things that are not real
  • Auditory hallucinations or hearing sounds that do not exist.

Delirium tremens is a life-threatening condition which requires urgent medical attention. High doses of benzodiazepines such as diazepam, lorazepam, or oxazepam may be necessary to prevent death. Antipsychotics such as haloperidol may also be used.

The severity of withdrawal symptoms can be influenced by so many factors, and therefore differs between the two individuals. Such factors include the duration of alcohol abuse, the quantity of alcohol intake, how frequently they drink, history of family addiction, addiction to other substances or polydrug use, and physiological makeup such as weight, gender, and age.

 

Post-Acute Withdrawal Phase

 

In the first few weeks of treatment, depression is a common symptom seen inpatient. As the body detox itself from the effects of alcohol, the brain is also adjusting. This phase is probably the most challenging and grueling part of the recovery process. Other symptoms experienced in this phase include;

  • Decreased energy and drive.
  • Low sexual drive.
  • Emotions such as anger and aggression.
  • Insomnia or nightmares

It is uncommon to have cravings for alcohol, mainly because the brain is still adjusting to the neurochemical imbalance caused by chronic drinking.

One year of Abstinence.

 

In this phase, there is less stress on the liver from detoxifying ethanol, allowing it to resume its normal functions. More importantly, the risk of oral, liver and breast cancer are drastically reduced

Life without Alcohol

 

A change in a life without alcohol can be daunting, even though the benefits and physical improvements are worth it

For a long-lasting change, certain issues need to be addressed by an alcohol addiction expert

  • Identifying any underlying emotional issues
  • How to provide a strong support network of family and friends
  • Help with providing a means of livelihood, or continuing education
  • Recognizing any mental health issues

 

Is There Hope for Me?

 

Alcoholic addicts are less able to make conscious decisions about heir drinking. Their constant state of denial of denial prevents them from appreciating the full extent of the problem and its consequences. Reaching out to help some with an alcohol problem can be challenging. It’s true that while the addict is the only person who can stop their own alcohol use, loved ones can still take certain steps to try and curb addictive behaviors. Here are some tips on how to help an alcoholic stop drinking

  • Approach them with a deep concern and commitment to help and support them.
  • Try to be flexible in your approach. Accept it will be a difficult task and expect a hostile response from them
  • Avoid moral judgments and opinions. Make them comfortable enough to be able to talk about personal challenges or underlying factors that may contribute to their drinking.
  • Show them you are proud of them and willing to support them through their recovery journey.

 

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References

Noel, J., Lazzarini, Z., Robaina, K., & Vendrame, A. (2016). Alcohol industry self-regulation: who is it really protecting?. Addiction112, 57-63. doi: 10.1111/add.13433

Saunders, J. (2008). Addiction and addiction journals. Drug And Alcohol Review27(6), 577-578. doi: 10.1080/09595230802495643

Terenius, L. (1996). Alcohol addiction (alcoholism) and the opioid system. Alcohol13(1), 31-34. doi: 10.1016/0741-8329(95)02037-3

VITIELLO, M. (1997). Sleep, alcohol and alcohol abuse. Addiction Biology2(2), 151-158. doi: 10.1080/13556219772697