If you have been drinking too much for a long time, you may be suffering from alcoholism. Alcohol abuse can affect a person's health and relationships. However, there are ways to recover from alcoholism. These include support groups and therapy. You can learn about the causes and symptoms of alcoholism.
Symptoms
Alcoholism is a complex disease with no single cause. It develops slowly and can affect people of all ages. It can have a variety of causes, including heredity, environment, and culture. In addition, each alcoholic has their own unique history of drinking. The effects of alcohol can change a person's personality and memory. There is no known cure for alcohol addiction, and while some patients recover spontaneously or with treatment, others never recover.
One of the first signs of alcoholism is frequent, heavy drinking. This habit develops a tolerance for alcohol and causes social and health problems. By recognizing the signs of alcohol abuse, you can seek treatment before they become a serious problem.
Causes
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that affects individuals from different backgrounds and with varying levels of genetic predisposition. While genetics play an important role, environmental and other factors also play a role in alcohol abuse. Many scientific studies have found that up to 50 percent of a person's risk for alcoholism is inherited. The media's portrayal of alcohol and the peer pressure it promotes has also been linked to alcoholism. Children who experience abuse and trauma may also be more likely to experiment with alcohol.
Social factors play a significant role in alcoholism. For instance, those who grow up in a culture where alcohol consumption is socially acceptable are less likely to become alcoholics than those who did not. Alcoholism is often caused by alcohol abuse, which rewires the brain to become dependent on and desire alcohol.
Treatment
Research has shown that a variety of motivational and behavioral strategies can help people remain abstinent from alcohol. Some strategies include finding a sponsor, participating in a 12-step program, and seeking a more spiritual life. In some cases, a combination of these approaches can be the most effective.
Behavioral therapy aims to help patients recognize the triggers that trigger drinking and to develop attainable goals. Support groups can also play an important role in treatment. These groups allow patients to talk with others who are going through the same experiences and find resources that will help them stay sober. Ultimately, these steps can improve a person's chances of recovery.
Psychotherapy is a common method of alcoholism treatment. It uses a variety of strategies to treat the character disorders and psychoneuroses associated with alcoholism. The goal is to eliminate the psychological causes of alcoholism. However, psychotherapy has limited success. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is more common and more effective than analytically-oriented therapy. It often combines supportive aims with brief interventions.
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy for alcoholism is a way to combat the destructive effects of alcohol and other drugs. It involves counseling and retraining the mind. Behavioral therapy aims to develop skills to cope with stress, build confidence, and develop new behaviors. The therapy also involves incorporating family members.
Cognitive behavioral therapists teach patients how to identify and change negative automatic thoughts. These thoughts are usually based on misconceptions or internalized feelings of fear and self-doubt. Alcohol and other addictive substances are often used as a way to self-medicate these painful feelings. With treatment, people learn new, positive behaviors to replace these negative ones.
One method of therapy is motivational interviewing, which is a client-centered technique. It helps patients increase their motivation to change. This method is used in conjunction with other treatments for alcoholism. It can lead to a sustained recovery. Moreover, it can help patients overcome feelings of powerlessness.
Inpatient rehab
A full-time alcoholism inpatient rehab program consists of 24 hours of care in a residential setting. This type of treatment typically lasts six to twelve months and includes both educational and socialization activities. After the inpatient rehab program has concluded, patients may go home and resume their normal lives.
Inpatient rehab is the highest level of care available for alcohol abusers. It is also the most intense treatment option. Patients are monitored around the clock and are given structured therapy and group counseling. The goal of an inpatient treatment program is to get clients sober while removing them from the environment that makes them self-destructive.
A residential rehab also gives people a chance to socialize with others battling alcoholism. Group therapy can help patients develop new perspectives, opinions, and ways of thinking. Besides group therapy, many rehabs have pools, gyms, and leisure rooms.
