Drug Addiction Treatment Blog

Alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence is a treatable illness, but successful alcohol treatment requires the active participation of the employee, a professional alcohol treatment counselor, the employee’s supervisor, and family members or friends. Alcohol treatment may involve one to four weeks of intense alcohol rehabilitation at an outpatient or inpatient alcohol treatment facility following by six to twelve months of “aftercare” consisting of periodic individual, group, or family counseling. The recovery process typically requires the employee’s regular participation in a community-based self-help group such as Alcoholics Anonymous. 

One key to successful alcohol treatment is admission of the problem and motivation to beat it. Studies of alcohol treatment programs show that completion of the full aftercare program is the strongest predictor of alcohol treatment success. 

Relapse is a common occurrence after all addiction treatment, but the risk of relapse diminishes with the passage of time and continued abstinence. The first relapse occurs most commonly during the first three months after completion of alcohol treatment. One study of alcohol treatment outcomes found that if one gets through the first three months without relapse, the chances for long-term abstinence improve dramatically, and the chance of a relapse that affects work performance is small. 

If you are looking for an effective alcohol treatment program, call the national alcohol abuse helpline 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.lakeviewhealth.com.   

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Alcoholism is a term commonly used to describe the medical disorder of alcohol dependence. Many alcohol rehab professionals prefer more precise language that distinguishes between alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse. 

Alcohol dependence is an illness with four main features:  

• Physical dependence, with a characteristic alcohol withdrawal syndrome that is relieved by more alcohol (e.g., morning drinking) or other drugs;  

• Physiological tolerance, so that more and more alcohol is needed to produce the desired effects;  

• Difficulty in controlling how much alcohol is consumed once drinking has begun;  

• A craving for alcohol that can lead to relapse if one tries to abstain. 

Alcohol abuse is different from alcohol dependence. Abusers are not necessarily physically addicted to alcohol, but develop problems as a result of their alcohol consumption and poor judgment, failure to understand the risks, or lack of concern about damage to themselves or others. Because they are not addicted, alcohol abusers remain in control of their behavior and can change their drinking patterns in response to explanations and warnings. An alcohol abuser either:  

• Persists in habitual drinking or occasional binge drinking that causes or exacerbates a persistent or recurrent social, work, financial, legal, or health problem;  

• Or uses alcohol repeatedly under circumstances which are physically dangerous, such as driving while intoxicated.  

Many people who abuse alcohol eventually become alcohol dependent. 

If you are looking for an alcohol rehab or alcohol detox go to www.lakeviewhealth.com or call the national alcoholism treatment, alcohol abuse helpline at 1-800-511-9225. 

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I am gay man from Connecticut who has just completed alcohol rehab and I can not believe I am writing on this thing they call a BLOG. Have times changed, not to mention they didn’t have crystal meth when I was growing up.

I mention I am gay because there were no gay alcohol rehab programs in Connecticut I could find and the ones they called “gay friendly” had no services that warranted them calling themselves gay friendly anything, much less a gay friendly alcohol rehab.

I am not writing to promote the alcohol rehab program I found that is gay friendly, “although it is called Freedomn Rings of Lakeview, but to urge gay men to investigate the alcohol rehab programs they choose to go to that say they are gay friendly.

The gay alcohol rehab I found had staff that were trained specifically in how to deal with “gay issues” ( and I had more than my share). I never realized how much anger I had towards the hetero’s of the world. There were gay groups where I could just be me and I also got to participate in groups with everyone else. And they think we are sick…….cCrazy little homophobs….lol…..Only kidding.

Whether you choose a gay alcohol rehab or a gay friendly alcohol rehab, as they like to call it, check it out first. Freedom Rings is a good one. Good luck and Happy New Year. Robert

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The cost for drug rehab or alcohol rehab is varies greatly depending upon which drug rehab or alcohol rehab you are looking into. Some accept health insurance and some don’t. I would certainly recommend locating a drug rehab or alcohol rehab where you can utilize your insurance benefits, before paying out of pocket. If you require help in locating such a program go to www.recoveryconnection.org.

Is the drug rehab program or alcohol rehab medically based?
There is an advantage to including on-site medical care in a drug rehab center. Physicians and nurses provide 24-hour hospital services to monitor and ensure a safe alcohol withdrawal or drug withdrawal. In addition, a medical staff specializing in addiction medicine can oversee the progress of each individual and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Medical credentials can also be important. For example, drug rehab or alcohol rehab centers that earn a JCAHO accreditation (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) meet national standards for providing quality medical care. Appropriate state licensing is also an important consideration.

What is the family involvement in the drug rehab or alcohol rehab program?

Family involvement is an important component of recovery. Drug rehab and alcohol rehab centers vary in the degree and quality of family involvement opportunities. Some offer just a few lectures, others offer family therapy, while the better drug rehab programs offer a comprehensive family recovery program.
 

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