Alcoholism

How Does Alcoholism Treatment Work?

Health

Alcoholism, or alcohol addiction, is a disease that affects millions of people around the world. 

It is a real disease and it can affect the brain, body, and behavior. 

But recovering from an alcohol use disorder is no easy task. It needs time, effort, dedication, and a strong support system. Just as the addiction developed with time, the process of recovery and restoring good health takes time as well. 

Read through the six phases of recovery listed below to gain a clear understanding of what you can do to recover from an alcohol use disorder or help someone who is. You can also check out The Edge Treatment to know more about alcohol treatment centers that offer great help in your recovery journey.

1.Starting the Treatment

When you realize you might have an alcohol problem and you reach out for professional help from an alcoholism treatment center, you initiate the first stage of recovery. 

It’s normal for you to reconsider your decision about giving up alcohol use permanently during the first hours or days of your rehabilitation. Be wary of this mindset as denial and ambivalence can compel you to relapse.   

As such, the main priority during this stage is to get the addict to actively participate in their treatment and acknowledge that abstinence is the objective. Professionals at the treatment center will help the addict with the motivation to recover by exploring feelings of denial and assessing the negative impact caused by alcohol addiction

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2. Practicing Early Abstinence

Once the patient has shown the dedication to proceed with treatment, the second stage of early abstinence can begin. This stage can be the most compelling to cope with because of factors such as persisting withdrawal symptoms and triggers that might lead to a relapse. 

Addiction professionals equip patients with coping skills that they need to stay sober such as recognizing relapse triggers such as environments and people. 

They also encourage the patient to take part in group therapy and find alternative, healthy habits to engage in instead of turning to alcohol consumption. 

3. Sustaining Alcohol Abstinence

After about 3 months of maintained abstinence, the patient is moved to the counseling phase of the treatment. If the patient was in a residential rehab program, they are transitioned to a more flexible treatment program on an outpatient basis. 

The treatment counselor makes the patient aware of the steps they need to take to avoid relapsing. The patient is also taught how to establish healthy relationships and how to use exercise to live a life of sobriety. 

4. The Recovery Phase

After 3 to 5 years of abstinence, the patient develops strategies that will help them stay sober. But advanced recovery is more than adopting a sober life. 

This stage involves the patient taking all the skills they’ve acquired through rehab counseling and implementing them in their life. It involves establishing long-term goals, forming meaningful social relationships, taking part in recreational activities, and finding ways to achieve fulfillment.  

Alcohol Treatment Centers Are There to Help

If you’re struggling with alcoholism, you may feel as if there’s no end to your plight. But recovery is very much possible and you don’t have to do it on your own. There are plenty of alcohol treatment centers that will help you recover from your alcohol addiction so you can live a fulfilling, healthy life. 

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Think of the process as a journey in which you travel through uncharted, challenging territories before eventually reaching your destination. 

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