Alcohol abuse can devastate a person. Those with severe psychological and physical dependence to alcohol find that their work, social, and familial relationships crumble in the course of the disease. Many people think that alcoholism or alcohol abuse is simply a bad habit that can be broken. According to the Mayo Clinic, alcoholism is a disease which differs from alcohol abuse. Those suffering from alcoholism have a physical addiction to alcohol, and suddenly stopping their drinking habits can result in withdrawal symptoms. Abusers of alcoholhave a psychological dependence upon drinking, but this can still create relationship problems and issues with the law such as drunk driving, spousal abuse, and public intoxication. Alcohol abuse rehab can prevent accidents from occurring while under the influence of alcohol, and left unchecked, alcoholism can lead to an increased incidence in depression.
The National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offers some tips to decreasing the amount of one's drinking. If these self-help measures cannot be followed, a professional alcohol abuse rehab program might be needed. Once the decision to enter an alcohol abuse rehab program is made, the next step is to locate a facility to cater to the specific needs of the sufferer. Treatment options include inpatient, outpatient, and hospital based programs, but many of these focus on alleviating the physical damage done by alcohol and to detox the person, which can take up to one week. Medications can be given to ease some of the physical withdrawal symptoms and consolers are on hand to discuss the psychological cravings.
Those who abuse alcohol without a dependence might be helped by an intervention program to prevent future dependence and alcoholism, but if through ones willpower drinking is unstoppable, an alcoholism treatment program might be needed. Each person's needs are different, and what one might perceive as alcohol abuse could really be alcoholism. A study shows that of those with a dependence on alcohol, 87.4% fail to get treatment and are in denial of their problem. Alcohol abusecan lead to many severe ailments, such as alcoholic liver disease and alcohol poisoning, even if one is not an alcoholic.
Alcohol abuse rehab focuses on giving the person other options to drinking. This is often seen in facilities which use cognitive therapy to reteach the abuser other methods of dealing with problems. The treatment for each person entering alcohol abuse rehab is different since the exact course taken is based upon the person's own needs. Every case is different, and some with alcohol abuse could find that they have physical symptoms of withdrawal as well. The ultimate goal of any alcohol abuse rehab program is to free the person from misusing alcohol. Beginning treatment sooner rather than later is the key to preventing long term problems from alcohol abuse.