Many people do not understand how popular addiction is in America. Some studies even estimate that over 60 million Americans are addicted to caffeine in one way or another. A more serious problem, though, is alcohol addiction.
Here are the facts: right now there are around 17 million Americans who
can be classified as alcoholics. Among that group less than 8% actually
get the help they need. That means there is the potential for a lot of
ruined lives out there. Here's the good news: it doesn't have to be
that way.
Since the inception of the 12 step recovery program, people suffering
with alcohol abuse have been reclaiming their lives. Is it a constant
struggle? Absolutely, but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting
back to their families and careers without being plagued by drinking.
Alcoholism rehab is a positive and life affirming form of therapy with
a proven track record of success. It all begins with the desire to get
better.
Help a Loved One Through Intervention
Thanks to the cable reality show "Intervention" we are getting an
insider look at the heart wrenching lives of addicts and the pain
inflicted on their loved ones. Interventions are an effective tool to
help the person suffering with drinking problems to get the help they
need. It's a very intense meeting and needs to be well thought out.
A serious addict may need to go through alcohol detox prior to entering rehab. When somebody's body is accustomed to receiving large amounts of alcohol over a long period of time the process of detoxification can be painful and even dangerous. It is advised that detoxification is done in the presence of a physician.
There are many intervention specialists who are trained to handle these
specific situations. The primary goal is finding help for your loved
one. This isn't about blame or guilt, but expressing how much you care
about someone and want them to be strong. It will also help if there is
a specific plan attached to an intervention meeting such as a stay at
an alcoholism rehab facility.
There is nothing wrong with going directly from the intervention to
rehab. In fact, that's probably the best course of action. Again, that
means being prepared. Lead with your feelings of love and the rest will
follow.
What to Expect In Rehab
Any person who is entering into alcoholism rehab is doing so because
they are choosing to heal. Will their recover happen over night? No;
recovery is a lifelong journey. There is also the chance of relapse,
but when the therapy and support is embraced those dark moments can
become diminished.
The first phase of rehab will be a physical assessment of the patient.
This leads to the important detoxification process. Here the body is
cleansed of harmful toxins. Depending on the condition of the person,
this process can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks. It is physically
and emotionally draining. It is also the only way to proceed with the
help by getting clean and sober. When detox happens at a rehab
facility, the patient will be constantly monitored and treated
accordingly. Once the detox is complete, the real work of recovery can
begin.
One Day At a Time
Recovering alcoholics embrace the philosophy of living one day at a
time. That is smart advice we should all be following. At an alcoholism
rehab center, the complete focus is on getting better. This is
accomplished through ongoing, intense therapy. These will be a
combination of one on one and group therapy sessions. The person
suffering from alcoholism needs to dig deep and dredge up some painful
issues before that can be dealt with and put aside.
Once the initial therapy sessions have been explored, the patient is
then prepared to be reunited with their friends and family. This is
where the hard work really kicks into gear. A successful stay in rehab
will prepare the patient to get back to their lives. Making this
transition can be very challenging especially when old habits need to
be changed.
Thanks to rehab, the patient will be given the necessary tools and
support system to work through their recovery one step at a time, one
day at a time.