In spite of it being so socially acceptable, excessive alcohol consumption can be one of the most dangerous forms of substance abuse. If your drinking outpaces your body’s ability to metabolize the alcohol, you can experience a range of dangerous effects, including unconsciousness or death. If you try to stop drinking after a period of prolonged heavy use, you can suffer withdrawal symptoms due to your body’s inability to adapt to the sudden absence of alcohol. These withdrawal symptoms can, at times, be fatal.
This leaves alcoholics in a “darned if you do, darned if you don’t” scenario: if you continue drinking, it can kill you, and if you stop drinking, it can kill you. The only safe way to give up alcohol consumption is with professional help, where you can be medically supervised as you experience the symptoms of withdrawal.
But recovery does not end when detox is over. Addiction to alcohol is deeply rooted in context: the best way to achieve lasting sobriety is by going into a rehab program that helps you deal with the root causes of the addiction.
Entering an addiction rehab program can be daunting. These six facts about alcohol rehab centers should reassure you about the fact that getting help is the best course of action for you.
#1 Treatment is Customized
One of the most wonderful things about being human is that we are all unique. We have different sets of strengths and weaknesses, we are interested in different things, we have our own individual ways of expressing ourselves, and we all experience the world in our own unique way. What this means is that no two paths to addiction are identical. Because addiction has so many possible root causes, such as trauma or abuse, chronic pain, and relationship difficulties, there are many available options for treatment. What works for one person will not necessarily work for the next, and alcohol rehab centers have become increasingly good at putting together treatment programs that target specific individuals. This gives you a great opportunity to delve into the issues that lie beneath the addiction, so you can resolve those issues and achieve long-term sobriety.
#2 There is a Blend of Structure and Accountability
Rehab centers – particularly ones that run inpatient programs – are highly structured environments. You eat your meals at specific times, you have a schedule of therapy and treatment appointments, there is time designated to recreation. The benefit of this is that you don’t have to worry about finding the time for all of these things, because it’s all laid out for you. You simply follow the schedule and focus on your recovery. At the same time, all good rehab programs want you to learn how to be accountable for your own path. You have the schedule – it’s up to you to follow it. You have access to the best therapists and treatment providers, but they cannot do much for you unless you make a conscious effort to participate in your recovery. The rehab facilities do everything they can to set you up for success as long as you are prepared to put in the work.
#3 There is a Component of Physical Recovery
When many people think of alcohol addiction rehab, they think of psychotherapy and group counselling. While these are important components of recovery for a lot of alcoholics, physical wellbeing is equally important. Alcohol abuse can do a lot of damage to your body. Adverse effects include liver disease, a reduced platelet count that can lead to easy bruising, alcohol neuropathy (numbness in the hands or feet), digestive complaints like acid reflux and inflammation of the stomach lining, and a compromised immune system. If left untreated, some of these issues can cause long-term damage, and so it is important to take care of your physical health while in recovery from your addiction. For this reason, rehab programs include medical checkups and healthy living elements such as exercise and nutrition.
#4 Your Loved Ones May be Involved
Many addictions come hand-in-hand with relationship problems. The causation can go either way: troubled relationships can result in substance abuse in one or both people in the relationship, or the relationship problems can be a result of one of the people being addicted to alcohol. In either case, family therapy may be an integral part of the recovery program. In most cases, the goal of family therapy is to help you and your loved one rebuild your relationship and learn how to communicate and solve conflicts effectively. Sometimes, if the relationship cannot be saved, the family counsellor can help you and the other person get to a place where you can each move on without the other.
#5 Recovery Doesn’t End When Rehab is Over
When you reach the end of your treatment program, the rehab facility isn’t going to say goodbye and send you on your way with no further thought. When your discharge date is approaching, your treatment team will start talking to you about what comes after rehab. They will tell you about the aftercare program offered by the facility, and they will make the necessary referrals to connect you with continuing treatment services in your area. Aftercare programs vary from one facility to the next, but they often include 24-hour support lines, education sessions, and follow-up appointments to monitor progress.
#6 You May Need a Return Visit
Making the transition from rehab back to the “real world” can be overwhelming for some people. Once you are accustomed to being in a protected environment where everyone has your best interests at heart, it can be difficult to be exposed to your old alcohol use triggers, like the people you used to drink with and the places you used to go. When stressful situations arise, old habits may kick in and have you reaching for a drink. Many people are able to overcome these challenges and maintain their newfound sobriety; others unfortunately experience a relapse. If this happens, it does not mean that treatment has failed. It simply means the relapse is part of your recovery journey and that your treatment needs to be reinforced or tweaked. Your rehab center will welcome you back so you can continue to recover in a safe environment.
Getting Help for Alcohol Addiction
If you are ready to quit drinking for good, Thousand Islands Rehab Centre has all the rehab services you need. We will keep you safe and comfortable during medically supervised detox, and we will guide you through a customized treatment program as you go through rehab. When your time in rehab is done, you will have access to our comprehensive aftercare program, which will improve your chances of achieving long-term sobriety. You can recover, and we look forward to being part of that journey.
