An addiction to drugs, alcohol, or substances will not only impact the individual. In many scenarios, the repercussions can vibrate with many families and friends, and this is why some seek treatment while it’s still early.
Fortunately, things may start to improve after your loved one has left a treatment facility. However, this is a lifelong fight against alcohol, and a single slip may make them go back to drinking with more force than before. Some will benefit a lot with the help of an alcohol rehab center that is fully equipped for these recoveries. They can help someone change their lives in the best way for an extended period of time.
The First Step of Stopping Alcohol
Overcoming the compulsion to drink alcohol is a very bumpy and long road. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it can even seem impossible for some. Luckily, it’s very achievable. If your loved one shows the readiness to recover from alcohol abuse, they need all the support they can get from their family and friends. They can achieve anything regardless of how powerless they currently feel, or they may have been heavy drinkers in the past.
The recovery process is gradual, and some simply don’t transform overnight. In the early stages, it’s common for some to experience denial. No, they are not an addict, and it’s just a few glasses of whiskey to blow off steam after a heavy work week.
Eventually, they are making excuses, and they’re constantly intoxicated with alcohol that affects various aspects of their life. The first step is to admit that they are indeed developing an addiction. Read more about the stages of alcoholism on this site here.
Evaluation of the Outcomes
It’s best if the individual becomes aware of what will happen if he or she doesn’t stop drinking. They may want to list some of the pros and cons and why they drink in the first place. Some may include having fun, hanging out with friends, and forgetting problems, which is a way of unwinding and relaxing after a very stressful day to their list of benefits.
However, there are also the disadvantages of frequently consuming alcohol. Not drinking means that one can stay sober, and their relationships with their loved ones will improve. They will feel their best self whenever it’s physically, mentally, or emotionally. Also, it helps to know that they will have more energy for other beneficial activities and may also help them forget about their problems.
There’s a variety of health problems that are associated with drinking. It can affect the liver, and there can shorten life spans if this goes on. Another thing is that it can make a person lose focus on their roles in their families and job responsibilities.
Preparation for Changes
It might be best if the person established a set date on when they will stop drinking. A quit date will be helpful or even a limit of three glasses per week is better than six glasses a day. If you have a loved one who is an addict, it’s better if the desire to be sober and clean stems out from them. It may be a misconception and unfair for some to hold unreasonable expectations.
When someone has just gotten out from a rehab center, it does not automatically mean that they are “cured” for life. Many have been disappointed when they notice that they haven’t made much progress or there are occurring relapses. Read more about relapse here: https://www.verywellmind.com/warning-signs-of-an-alcohol-or-drug-relapse-67895. If you are a family member, don’t let them sense this disappointment because they may feel ashamed or hopeless and abandon the thought of recovering altogether.
Other Treatment Options
There are 12-step programs that anyone can enroll in. They can join support groups and get together with like-minded people who have the same dilemma in alcohol addiction.
Individuals need medical supervision the most, especially if they want their withdrawal symptoms to ease up and know what to expect. Some of the factors that can affect the recovery rate are health issues that one may have, the stability of one’s living situation, how long an individual has been drinking, and the duration of the problem.
One of the first steps to do is consult a doctor that can check and give a diagnosis and evaluate the drinking patterns of an individual. They can also offer treatment referrals and prescribe the proper medication.
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