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Alcohol is one of the most widely accessible and dangerous drugs in the modern world. In many countries, its status as a legal substance can cause may issues – one of the most dangerous of these being addiction.
Addiction develops when an individual regularly consumes a substance and continues this despite its negative consequences.
With alcohol, an individual may begin to consume alcohol for social reasons or as a coping mechanism, but this can quickly develop into an addiction if the individual partakes in these addictive behaviours regularly.
If an individual does believe themselves to be addicted to alcohol or other substances, then it is vital that they seek appropriate rehabilitation and support services as soon as they are able to.
This article will focus on the rehabilitative process for overcoming an alcohol addiction, as well as other factors that may contribute toward the dangers of alcohol in general.
Physical dependency
One of the factors that contributes to the addictive nature of alcohol is its ability to create a physical dependence.
This is when an individual has consumed (often large) quantities of alcohol regularly over a long period of time and their body begins to develop a tolerance, as well as the substance becoming part of everyday bodily processes.
Physical dependence is dangerous for individuals during withdrawal, as it means that the body must readjust to the lack of the substance and therefore go through significant changes in order to ‘rebalance’ the body and to achieve homeostasis once again.
Other substances in the category of being physically addictive also includes heroin and other opioids.
What is rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation, often shortened to rehab, is the process in which individuals who are struggling with addiction (either to a substance or behavioural) learn to overcome the effects of addiction – both physical and mental – as well as maintaining their sobriety through various coping mechanisms and techniques.
This is a vital process for any individual struggling with addiction, as this condition can dramatically worsen in a short period of time, meaning that it is not something to be ignored or continued for any period of time.
Not every individual who struggles with addiction will want to attend rehab, and many individuals are often in denial about their situation, but this can also be treated and those around a loved one struggling with addiction can seek many sources of support to help them.
Why do individuals go to alcohol rehab?
With alcohol rehab, it is especially important for individuals to attend if they have been struggling with an alcohol addiction for any period of time.
Not only is this due to the physically addictive nature of the substance, but it is also due to the negative and often life-threatening health complications that can arise due to alcohol consumption.
Countless studies have shown that alcoholism (both in individual cases and in the case of family history) can cause serious physical health issues in both the long and the short-term.
This may be the reason why many individuals choose to go to rehab, for example, as they may have experienced serious health problems which they would like to overcome in the long-term.
The admissions process for alcohol rehab
When it comes to applying to various addiction treatment services, it can be hard to know where to look and what the individual may be looking for.
There are many questions that an individual may be asked – some of which they may never have had to think about before.
For example, one of the first factors that an individual can consider is whether they would prefer to attend rehabilitation on an inpatient basis, or as an outpatient. Essentially, this refers to where the individual will be partaking in their treatment.
As an outpatient, individuals would remain at home or in their local area while attending part-time rehabilitation sessions and services, whereas as an inpatient they would reside within a dedicated residential rehab centre and partake in rehabilitation as part of their everyday routine.
Most studies show that residential rehabilitation is the most effective form of care for those struggling with addiction, though only if combined with appropriate mental health care and support, as well.
Some individuals may not be suited to residential care, however, and this should always be discussed with an addiction advisory officer or a medical professional.
Referral services
Most countries will have referral services for individuals seeking rehabilitative services. These are the companies and charities that offer advice and information about the different rehabilitation options that may be suitable for an individual.
Through a referral service, an individual may be recommended a number of different treatment options that are suitable for them, and this will be determined by the admissions process of each specific referral service.
Most services, for example, will ask questions to ascertain the type of substance(s) that the individual is addicted to, the history of this addiction, and any factors that may be influencing their recovery as a result of their current living situations.
Individuals should always be prepared to be honest and open about their situation, as this will help the referral service to give the most suitable advice and therefore the most effective and efficient rehabilitation services will be offered to the individual.
The three stages of rehabilitation – why are they important in alcohol rehab?
There are generally three stages of rehabilitation that an individual must progress through in order to have the highest chance of an effective and efficient recovery process.
There is no ‘cure’ for addiction, and many individuals are affected in the long-term as a result of this, but by following the three stages described in the following subheadings, individuals will give themselves the best possible chance of a successful recovery journey.
1. Detoxification
Detoxification, shortened to a detox in many cases, is the first stage of the process in which an individual physically prepares themselves for the remainder of their rehab journey by withdrawing from the substance that they are addicted to.
With an alcohol addiction, as already mentioned, this can be especially challenging due to the physically addictive nature of alcohol, but with suitable medical care and supervision, it is possible to withdraw completely from alcohol.
In some cases, additional substances such as Librium may be prescribed during this time to help ease the negative side effects of a withdrawal and to ensure the safety and comfort of the detox process.
Alcohol withdrawal can lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) – a serious condition in which the individual can experience a range of negative physical and mental health impacts, so it is always recommended to undergo an alcohol withdrawal with supervision and suitable support.
2. Therapy/rehabilitation
As the majority of care received during an addiction rehabilitation process, individuals will partake in a variety of different therapies and treatment types.
These will differ from person to person due to the unique nature of addiction and its effect, but there are some therapies that are more commonly employed.
For example, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is very common within addiction treatment – alcohol addiction included – as its focus on negative thought patterns can be tailored toward each individual case and be flexible as needed.
3. Aftercare
As the final stage of rehabilitation, aftercare can last long into the future. This is because aftercare refers to any further treatment or support that an individual may receive after they complete the majority of their treatment through the therapy stage of rehab.
Residential rehab centres often offer up to a year or more of complimentary aftercare as a part of their services, but this is not always the case.
Sometimes, individuals may have progress meetings with an aftercare officer, for example, where they can report on their progress, mention any worries that they may have, and be given further learning to support their ongoing recovery.
Addiction treatment in Australia
There are countless different providers of addiction treatment and support across Australia’s states and regions, each of which will provide individuals with a different treatment style, techniques and location.
To find out which would be most suitable for you or for someone you know, get in touch with your local healthcare services or enquire about the availability of rehabilitation in your local area today.
Addiction is a dangerous condition, so seeking help sooner rather than later is always recommended.
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