How To Recover From Alcohol Addiction

Month : Why The First 30 Days Can Be Challenging

You may have heard before that the first 30 days can be the hardest, and experts tend to agree. During this time, the body and mind go through a substantial process of recovery. Heres more information on alcohol withdrawal symptoms you may experience that make this an uncomfortable, yet really important time of recovery and reset.

What Are The Symptoms Of Alcoholism

Alcohol addiction can be difficult to recognize. Unlike cocaine or heroin, alcohol is widely available and accepted in many cultures. Its often at the center of social situations and closely linked to celebrations and enjoyment.

Drinking is a part of life for many people. When is it common in society, it can be hard to tell the difference between someone who likes to have a few drinks now and then and someone with a real problem.

Some symptoms of alcohol addiction are:

• increased quantity or frequency of use
• high tolerance for alcohol, or lack of hangover symptoms
• drinking at inappropriate times, such as first thing in the morning, or in places like church or work
• wanting to be where alcohol is present and avoiding situations where there is none
• changes in friendships someone with an alcohol addiction may choose friends who also drink heavily
• avoiding contact with loved ones
• hiding alcohol, or hiding while drinking
• dependence on alcohol to function in everyday life
• increased lethargy, depression, or other emotional issues
• legal or professional problems such as an arrest or loss of a job

As an addiction tends to get worse over time, its important to look for early warning signs. If identified and treated early, someone with an alcohol addiction may be able to avoid major consequences of the disease.

Alcohol addiction can result in heart disease and liver disease. Both can be fatal. Alcoholism can also cause:

• increased risk of cancer
• suppressed immune function

Get Started On Alcohol Detox And Treatment Today

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has found that one-third of people who receive treatment remain sober a year later. Many others drink less and experience fewer alcohol-related health problems. If youre ready to start your journey to better health, Sunlight Recovery has medical detox, residential treatment and outpatient care available to support you. Call to schedule a consultation today.

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‘how To Enjoy Christmas As A Recovering Alcohol Or Substance Addict’

I will never forget the first time I took cocaine. It was 2002 and I felt like I had been rocketed into a new dimension. I chased this same high for the next decade. I suffered many consequences along the way: an arrest for possession drink driving bankruptcy failed relationships. And yet I couldn’t stop.

Ten years after my first high, I found myself in a hotel in Manchester, England. I’d spent the weekend, and my paycheck, on booze and cocaine, and I hadn’t slept for 48 hours. I felt broken and alone. I didn’t want to live but I didn’t want to die, either. I was in no-man’s land the game was up and I knew I needed help.

I checked myself into a hospital and began the journey to recovery, and I am now sober. My personal journey led me to explore the addiction process in depth. Now, I lead a team of highly experienced counsellors throughout the UK, many of whom have had first-hand experience of addiction themselves.

When I look back at my battle with addiction, I recognize that I always struggled most over the Christmas period. The office parties and constant social events led to a huge increase in my drug use.

The next year I managed until New Year’s Eve before the fuse blew and I went at it for three full days before appearing at my dad’s house like the ghost of Christmas past, greeting him by vomiting into the kitchen sink.

Transitioning Out Of The Honeymoon Phase

While feeling anxious and unsettled is common, some people also experience the honeymoon effect: a period of euphoria and elation soon after you stop drinking. During this time, you may get back in touch with your emotions, and experience a new sense of hope and enjoyment. This sensation can last days or weeks, and experts caution that the inevitable transition out of this state can be discouraging.

How can you most seamlessly move through the honeymoon phase? First, its helpful to recognize it for what it is. This can lessen the impact of when it passes. Second, savor the positive emotions and know that with the right treatment, dedication, and self-care, you will find a sustainable path complete with authentic joy. Creating a sustainable new lifestyle without or with less alcohol requires navigating both highs and lows. Growth happens in discomfort, and its important to recognize challenging moments as learning opportunities.

We know the ups and downs can be confusing, and may cause you to question who you really are without alcohol. However, you will arrive at the answer. Heres a therapists advice on how to navigate the early recovery identity crisis. These challenges are natural in this period of rapid change, and you are not alone in navigating them.

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Tips For Selecting Treatment

Professionals in the alcohol treatment field offer advice on what to consider when choosing a treatment program.

Overall, gather as much information as you can about the program or provider before making a decision on treatment. If you know someone who has first-hand knowledge of the program, it may help to ask about his or her personal experience.

Here are some questions you can ask that may help guide your choice:

• What kind of treatment does the program or provider offer? It is important to gauge whether the facility provides all the currently available methods or relies on one approach. You may want to learn if the program or provider offers medication and if mental health issues are addressed together with addiction treatment.

• Is treatment tailored to the individual? Matching the right therapy to the individual is important to its success. No single treatment will benefit everyone. It may also be helpful to determine whether treatment will be adapted to meet changing needs as they arise.

• What is expected of the patient? You will want to understand what will be asked of you in order to decide what treatment best suits your needs.

• Is treatment success measured? By assessing whether and how the program or provider measures success, you may be able to better compare your options.

• How does the program or provider handle relapse? Relapse is common, and you will want to know how it is addressed. For more information on relapse, see Relapse Is Part of the Process.

How To Support An Alcoholic In Recovery

Treatment for alcohol addiction is just the first step in a long journey to recovery for someone who has stopped drinking. If someone you care about has begun treatment for alcohol use disorder, you could play an important role while they build a life without alcohol. Read on to learn more about key steps you can take to support a loved one who has begun treatment and is in recovery for alcohol addiction.

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Treatment Options For Alcoholism

Various treatment options exist for alcohol addiction and alcohol use disorders. People should always seek out a professional evaluation since not all levels of treatment are appropriate for all people.

Inpatient/residential treatments are generally more intensive for people with more severe symptoms of addiction and dependence. These treatments offer around-the-clock care administered by a team of professionals. To maintain a safe environment for the individual, they will live at the treatment facility and have limited contact with people outside of the center initially.

Outpatient care involves treatments that allow the person to live at home, work and maintain other routines while attending care. Rather than living at the treatment center, the person will attend their appointment and then return home. Intensive outpatient care could involve several hours of treatment several times per week to offer more support to people in need.

According to a recent survey by The Recovery Village, out of the people initiating treatment:

• 34.9% started rehab in inpatient or residential treatment
• 24.2% started in intensive outpatient treatment
• 26.1% started in outpatient care
• 14.8% started rehab in teletherapy

People with fewer symptoms or additional responsibilities at home or work may opt for outpatient or telehealth offerings to limit the life disruption. These programs offer tremendous flexibility to assess and address each persons addiction.

One Man’s Journey From Alcohol Addiction To Recovery

Peter Delbert lives in Camelot, but itâs not a fairytale.

Itâs a 45-bed in-patient substance use disorder rehabilitation center on Staten Island. Heâs addicted to alcohol and has been in recovery twice â this time for 10 months. His drink of choice is vodka.

âIt became my new best friend. It became my family. It became a lot of things for me,â Delbert said.

What You Need To Know

• Peter Delbert lives in a 45-bed in-patient substance use disorder rehabilitation center on Staten Island. Heâs addicted to alcohol and has been in recovery twice â this time for 10 months.
• Dr. Daniel Suter from the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai hospital points to three main causes: genetic risks, untreated mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, and social isolation
• If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can contact your doctor directly or NYC Well for counseling and referrals

Peter has been hooked on booze for 45 years. Doctors use the medical diagnosis alcohol use disorder.Dr. Daniel Suter from the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai hospital points to three main causes: genetic risks, untreated mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, and social isolation.At the age of 12, Peter turned to alcohol.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, excessive alcohol use caused over 4,200 deaths in New York State in 2019. The estimated average number of years lost from each personâs life is 38.

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Break Free From Addiction With Clean Recovery Centers

Alcoholism can be dangerous and even deadly, but there is hope for everyone who suffers from alcohol addiction. Clean Recovery Centers specializes in helping people develop a recovery plan that suits their unique needs for the most success. By focusing on mental, emotional, and physical health and wellness, we take a holistic approach to recovery that helps people find hope, relief, and support when they need it most. Contact us today to learn more about the programs and services we offer for alcoholics and their loved ones.

What To Do If You Suspect A Relapse

Unfortunately, relapses happen, and with great frequency. Many studies suggest that the majority of recovering addicts will eventually relapse at some point in their lives. However, just because a relapse happens, it does not mean that an individuals long-term sobriety is at risk. With careful and rapid attention, a relapse can be limited and contained. If you suspect a recovering addict may have relapsed, consider taking the following steps:

• Consult with other friends and family to see if they share your concerns.
• Express your concerns in a kind, caring, and non-judgmental manner.
• Suggest that they contact their sponsor, or contact their sponsor for them.
• Encourage them to attend a support group meeting.
• Suggest that they contact their therapist, or contact their therapist for them.

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Dual Addictions And Dependencies

Alcoholics may also require treatment for other psychotropic drug addictions and drug dependencies. The most common dual dependence syndrome with alcohol dependence is benzodiazepine dependence, with studies showing 1020% of alcohol-dependent individuals had problems of dependence and/or misuse problems of benzodiazepine drugs such as diazepam or clonazepam. These drugs are, like alcohol, depressants. Benzodiazepines may be used legally, if they are prescribed by doctors for anxiety problems or other mood disorders, or they may be purchased as illegal drugs. Benzodiazepine use increases cravings for alcohol and the volume of alcohol consumed by problem drinkers. Benzodiazepine dependency requires careful reduction in dosage to avoid benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome and other health consequences. Dependence on other sedative-hypnotics such as zolpidem and zopiclone as well as opiates and illegal drugs is common in alcoholics. Alcohol itself is a sedative-hypnotic and is cross-tolerant with other sedative-hypnotics such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines. Dependence upon and withdrawal from sedative-hypnotics can be medically severe and, as with alcohol withdrawal, there is a risk of psychosis or seizures if not properly managed.

Choose A Time To Talk

Committing to getting sober and seek help takes courage. Often times, those who need help with a drinking problem may not immediately be receptive to discussing treatment. Because of this, it may take a few conversations before they are willing to discuss treatment.

Before talking with them, it may be helpful to speak with a healthcare provider who specializes in addiction to obtain guidance on how to get help for alcoholism. Once youve done that, choose a time to sit down with them when they are sober so they can better process what you are saying.

If they remain in denial and arent ready to seek alcohol addiction help, you could try learning the CRAFT approach. This training teaches family and friends good strategies for helping their loved ones get treatment.16

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How Drugs And Alcohol Affect The Digestive System

The digestive system or gastrointestinal tract consists of the path from the mouth and esophagus through the stomach and intestines. Here is where food gets broken down and digested, and nutrients extracted for the bodys use. Without a functioning digestive system, you cannot get all the vitamins and minerals you need from food, which can lead to damaging deficiencies over time. Some drugs cause indirect damage to the digestive system by forcing the liver to work harder, while others like alcohol cause direct harm to the cells lining the GI tract.

Make A Plan To Prevent Relapsing Again

With the help of a therapist, a professional addiction counselor, or a sponsor, try to analyze your relapse and create a plan to avoid a similar scenario in the future. This should include triggers, coping tactics, and specific people in your support network who you can ask for help.

âBy connecting with sober supports and clinical resources, a framework for prevention can start to take shape in oneâs life,â Harshal Kirane, MD, medical director of Wellbridge Addiction Treatment and Research tells WebMD Connect to Care. âRecovery from alcohol use disorder is ultimately a personal journey, but it can only begin by reaching out for support.â

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Psychological Effects From Drinking

According to the American Psychiatric Association , abuse of alcohol is strongly associated with a co-occurring diagnosis of another mental health disorder. Whether or not this association is causal, such that drinking alcohol causes an individual to develop other psychological issues or having some other psychological issue causes a person to drink alcohol excessively, is strongly debated. As it turns out, both of these explanations are likely.

Nonetheless, individuals with any form of mental illness can increase the effectiveness of their recovery by refraining from alcohol use, and individuals with alcohol use disorders can enhance their recovery by getting treatment for any co-occurring issues with depression, bipolar disorder, stress, etc. Recovery from any mental health disorder is significantly enhanced if an individual does not drink alcohol. The rate and quality of recovery from a mental health disorder depends on a number of factors, including the persons motivation, their engagement in treatment, their social support, etc.

Great Ways To Quit Drinking

Are you worried about how much alcohol you consume? Maybe you think you drink too much or too frequently. Perhaps its a behavior youd like to have more control over.

Alcohol should be entirely avoided by those dependent on it or other physical or mental health issues. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism indicates that the following actions may be helpful if your doctor advises you to reduce your drinking problem. We help you to understand from the first step:

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Starting With A Primary Care Doctor

For anyone thinking about treatment, talking to a primary care physician is an important first stephe or she can be a good source for treatment referrals and medications. A primary care physician can also:

• Evaluate a patients drinking pattern

• Help craft a treatment plan

• Evaluate overall health

• Assess if medications for alcohol may be appropriate

Individuals are advised to talk to their doctors about the best form of primary treatment.

The Process Of Alcohol Recovery At Delamere

At Delamere we witness the miracle of recovering from alcoholism on a daily basis. Thats because we are dedicated to professionally helping each of our guests take each recovery step.

By undergoing alcohol treatment at Delamere you will never be alone. Our multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, alcohol counsellors and holistic therapists will be with you every step of your inpatient journey. Our experts and purpose built treatment facilities are well equipped to treat every aspect of alcoholism, including common co occurring mental health illnesses.

Furthermore, our support and care doesnt end when inpatient treatment does. Following successful medical detoxification and rehabilitation, we will support you in implementing all you have learned back home. Providing supported visits were necessary and keeping our doors and ears open whenever you need that extra support.

For more information on how we at Delamere can uniquely help you as an individual to recover from alcoholism, call and speak to a member of our addiction treatment team today.

Alcohol Addiction Guides

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