Alcohol addiction is a problem that should be taken very seriously by both the addicted person and the people around them. People who struggle with alcoholism should accept that they have a problem and seek professional help. Actually, the most important aspect toward recovery is first accepting that there is a problem and secondly, wanting to get professional assistance.

There are various options for helping one recover from alcoholism

For overcoming the addiction and getting a full recovery, there is need to complete the treatment process. However, there is no time limit to this as different people respond to treatment differently. Therefore, the treatment can sometime take months and in the worst case, years. However, you need to always remember that, the sooner you seek for help, the better.

The kind of treatment to be used depends on the following factors:

• Historical background of the addict
• Involvement of family members and friends
• Financial background and
• Personal commitment

During the treatment process, the addict should learn how to overcome physiological and psychological causes of alcohol abuse. Therefore, there are two stages involved in treating alcohol dependency. There is the withdrawal phase and the detoxification process. Both of these requires expert advice and follow up.

A therapist may be recommended any of the following options depending on your level of dependency.

Detoxification

Detoxification is the process of removing toxic substances from the body. This done by use of dedicated medicine that kills the urge to take alcohol while at the same time clearing the body of the same. The treatment process also involves abstinence from taking alcohol in the period. The main aim of alcohol detoxification is to break down the physical addiction on the patient

This treatment is performed in a therapeutic centre or hospital. The addict can be given medication to help with the withdraw symptoms. Among the symptom experienced during withdrawal include trembling, convulsion, hallucination and confusion.

How to cope with alcohol withdrawal

• Support should be provided by giving relevant information, monitoring and counselling.
• Proper nutritional food and drinks
• Medication should also provided to help cope with severe withdrawal

On the process of recovery, relapses are caused by internal factors such as depression, cravings and anxiety. It can also be caused by external agents such as lifestyle, environment or social background. Understanding, anticipation and prevention of relapse are the main task of psychologists.

Behavioural treatment

These are the coping strategies that a person develops against strong desires of drinking alcohol. This treatment program is mostly helpful for those individuals that are from an alcohol dependant social background, poor or isolated. Cognitive behaviour and Motivational enhancement therapy are the main methods used to help patients against relapse.

Counselling

When going through your treatment the doctor can refer you to a group counselling session. A support group with people facing similar problem provide the addicts with encouragement and answers are provided on how to fully recover. Counselling is also a resource centre that people learn much more about how to remain sober.

Medication

Medications that can be administered or recommended by a doctor or a specialist to cope with the desire to drink are available. They include.

Disulfiram – This drug lowers the desire to consume alcohol and when used together it causes nausea, vomiting and severe head pain

Acamprosate – It helps reduce the craving for alcohol

Naltrexone – This drug is known to block the ‘feel-good feeling’ that are associated with alcohol consumption

Conclusion

When seeking for help from alcohol addiction, you should be having the desire to kick the habit.