Alcoholism is a disease affecting not only the addicted person, but also his friends and family. As of 2007, 7.8% of those older than 12 years of age needed treatment for an alcohol addiction. Treatment of the ailment is paramount to getting back on ones feet and reclaiming a healthy mental and physical state. The National Library of Medicinedefines alcoholism as a form of drug addiction, and this is why many alcohol rehab programs are also associated with recovery from other drugs.
While there is no cure for alcoholism, treatment through an alcohol rehab program is possible to alleviate symptoms of physical dependence and abuse. Many treatment programs address the physical aspects of alcoholism such as nutritional deficiencies and liver damage which often occur with chronic alcoholism. There are also psychological aspects of the disease manifest in the form of a dependence. Finding a treatment program is largely based upon the individual's preferences. A survey from the Office of Applied Studies under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services outline the many alcohol rehab program options available: individual therapy, diagnosis/assessment, group therapy, and referral to other treatment programs.
To assist the public in finding a treatment facility, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has established an Internet substance and alcohol rehab program locater. These facilities and programs include inpatient, outpatient, and hospital-based centers. The search can be narrowed down based upon ones location and preferred treatment options, but the ultimate goal of all of them is to successfully break the alcoholic from his physical addiction and psychological dependence.
Of those who showed signs of alcohol dependency or addiction, 87.5% did not get treatment, no did they feel the need to do so. This means that thousands are in denial of their problem, and an alcohol rehab program can help them to overcome this hurdle and begin treatment, but only if the sufferer is admitted. While the sufferer is not always willing to admit a problem, in a study from the Drug and Alcohol Services Information Services published in 2006 found that 49% of those abusing only alcohol admitted themselves or were referred by a friend or family member.
Family and friends who notice that a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse should be prepared to discuss the matter with the person in a non-argumentative manner. Occasionally, several people must band together to confront the alcoholic with his problem and seek out support for themselves. It might require several talks before a person is willing to go into treatment. While a person over 18 cannot be forced into an alcohol rehab program by a family member, the court can if laws are broken. Of less than daily drinkers, 55% were referred to an alcohol rehab program by the criminal justice system. An alcohol rehab program is more likely to succeed if the afflicted acknowledged that there was a problem with his drinking, but one of the problems is to get the alcoholic to admit to a problem.
Diligence of getting a person into an alcohol rehab program is the key to getting on the road to recovery from alcoholism.