Drinking alcohol to excess can lead to many problems with health, finances, and relationships. Alcohol abuse is a major problem here in the UK, with most of those who drink to excess not fully comprehending the consequences of their actions. Fortunately, though, alcohol abuse and addiction can be treated. But how effective is alcohol treatment?
Do You Need Alcohol Treatment?
If you are struggling with an addiction, or are worried about someone you love, you will be pleased to know that alcohol treatment can be very effective. Nevertheless, for it to be effective, you must be willing to change and work hard on getting sober – and staying that way.
The hardest part of overcoming any addiction is admitting it exists in the first place; this is often a major hurdle when it comes to alcohol treatment. For the most part, it is much easier for the loved ones of alcoholics to see there is a problem than it is for the person affected.
Since alcohol is a legal substance, many people do not view it in the same light as, for example, illegal drugs. Alcohol is widely available and acceptable for use by those over the age of eighteen. Yet it is a highly abused substance that can cause much harm.
Binge drinking is a widespread problem here in the UK, and it is a problem that can lead to numerous health issues. Nevertheless, regular binge drinking can also result in addiction, which is when treatment becomes necessary. But accepting having an addiction can be a struggle for many affected individuals.
It is important to consider your alcohol consumption habits if you are concerned that you could have a problem. It is natural to hope that if you ignore the issue it will go away, but it will not. If you do have an alcohol problem, it will just get worse. Once regular alcohol abuse has altered your brain structure, you are going to need help to put things right again.
If you are regularly drinking alcohol and find that once you start, you cannot stop, then it might be the case that you have a problem. It is important to remember that you do not have to drink every day to have an alcohol problem. Nor do you have to drink as soon as you wake up in the morning. You should also bear in mind that not all alcoholics drink cheap spirits from bottles wrapped in brown paper bags either.
To determine if you have a problem that requires help, you need to consider the amount of control you can exert over your drinking rather than focus on how often you drink and the type of alcohol that you consume. If you have tried to quit or cut back on your alcohol consumption without success, then you will more than likely benefit from professional help. However, just how effective is alcohol treatment? Will it help you to get your life back on track? These are questions that you will no doubt be asking yourself as you look to put an end to your alcohol issues.
Can Alcohol Treatment Help?
Alcohol treatment can help you to get sober and stay sober. With the right programme and a motivation to succeed, you can turn your life around. If you quit alcohol for good, you can look forward to a world of opportunity.
At the end of the day, alcohol addiction can destroy your life, covering your entire world in a blanket of misery. Once you develop an addiction, you will likely find that your ability to enjoy life diminishes. Your relationships with loved ones will be affected as you become fixated on alcohol.
Nevertheless, overcoming your illness means looking forward to getting back to normal. You will regain a sense of happiness and calm and will be able to develop a new healthy attitude towards life. You will have the freedom to make good decisions and you can start to find pleasure in family, friends, hobbies, and activities once more.
What to Expect from Alcohol Treatment?
Alcohol treatment has helped millions of people around the world to put their addictions behind them, and it can help you too. It is natural to want to know ‘how effective is alcohol treatment?’ before you commit to a programme of recovery, though. After all, you will not want to give up your time and effort if it is not going to work.
What we can tell you is that although there are no guarantees that you will overcome your addiction for good, if you work hard and are willing to commit one hundred percent, your chances of a full recovery are very high.
You must be ready to make changes to your life and to be willing to turn your back on alcohol for good. You must be ready to see the benefits of a substance-free life and be prepared to work with your counsellors and therapists. Remember, they can do everything in their power to help you get well, but they cannot do it for you.
If you are ready to get started on the road to sobriety, it is likely that you will need a detox first. An alcohol detox is a process designed to help you quit alcohol, hopefully once and for all. It usually begins around six to twelve hours after you have had your last drink.
Although a natural process, and one that can be completed anywhere, a detox should ideally take place in a dedicated facility as there is always the risk of complications. Detox is a complex process and an alcohol detox can be especially complicated because of the way that alcohol affects almost every single cell in the body.
If you have been drinking heavily for many years, you have any underlying mental or physical health problems or have a history of violent or aggressive behaviour, it is highly recommended that you detox in a dedicated facility under careful supervision. Fully trained staff can make your detox safer and more comfortable. They can also administer medication to ease the symptoms and to prevent the worst symptoms from occurring.
What Happens After Detox?
Alcohol detox usually lasts for between one and two weeks. After this time, most of the withdrawal symptoms should have subsided and you will be ready to get started on addressing the underlying causes of the illness. This takes place in a rehabilitation programme.
Rehab for alcohol addiction can be highly effective. Most rehab providers use bespoke treatment plans because they can tailor them to the specific needs of the individual. What this means for you is that your treatment provider will work closely with you to determine what type of treatments they expect to be most effective for you.
It is likely that your treatment plan will consist of various elements of cognitive and behavioural therapy as well as holistic treatments that are designed to improve your overall wellbeing and reduce stress levels.
Rehab programmes take place in residential or day care centres, depending on your needs, personal situation, and preferences. Residential programmes are much more intensive than outpatient programmes and are condensed over a much shorter period. They are usually provided by private clinics, so involve a cost.
The alternative is a free programme provided on a day care basis and provided by the NHS or a local charity. However, it is more than likely that there will be a wait involved with this type of programme because they are severely underfunded and in high demand.
Maintaining Your Sobriety
Whatever type of programme you choose, you will be supported by caring individuals determined to see you get well. They will work with you to provide you with the help you need to get better, and they will show you how to deal with cravings and triggers on your return to everyday life.
When wondering ‘how effective is alcohol treatment?’, you must also consider that it will only be effective if you continue to work hard on staying sober when your programme of treatment finishes. Maintenance is the key when it comes to long-term sobriety.
You need to remember that alcohol addiction is an illness of the brain, and while it is a treatable illness, there is currently no cure. Without proper maintenance, you could find yourself becoming complacent about your sobriety, which could be a recipe for disaster. Studies show that those who engage in aftercare services on completion of a rehabilitation programme are more likely to go on to have permanent success.
Aftercare is usually provided by rehab clinics for up to a year after their programmes as this is the time when you will be most vulnerable to a relapse. You can also access aftercare support within the community, and it is recommended that you do so.
Getting involved in your local recovery community will give you extra support and the ability to connect with people who know exactly what you are going through. You can relate to those who are also in recovery and you can get involved in sober activities. Being part of a recovery community will boost your chances of staying sober long term.
For more information on any aspect of the recovery process, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us here at Addiction.org.uk. We are here to answer your queries and provide advice on how you can beat your alcohol addiction once and for all. Please call today for more information.
