Do you feel like you are just drowning in alcohol? What are the reasons? Abuse is often the result of years of distancing yourself from issues or squashing them down. You may be wondering what rehab can do for you, and if it is the right choice.
Since it is acceptable in society to engage in social drinking with friends, coworkers, or family, you may not have realized that you had an issue until the unwelcome signs appeared, and you began to see there might be a problem. You might have noticed the following happening:
- Blackouts or temporary short-term loss of memory
- Extreme mood swings and irritability
- Drinking alone or in secrecy
- Excuses, such as drinking to feel normal or to relax
- When not drinking, feeling hungover
- Distancing from family members and friends
- Neglecting responsibilities because of drinking
These are just some of the social and physical symptoms of being addicted to alcohol. The right treatment, along with detox, will put you on the road to recovery.
There Is Hope With Therapy
The first step will be to rid your body from alcohol through detox. Types of programs for treatment can include the following:
- Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
- Outpatient (OP)
You will need the help of a trained medical staff while doing detox; it should be supervised and not something that you can do at home. Care is given to make a withdrawal from alcohol as smooth as possible. Then, after this professionally supervised detox, you will begin your recovery with therapies to help you find more about your relationship with alcohol and the underlying mental issues that may have influenced it. Many treatment programs have a dual treatment of substance abuse and mental health issues, treating both factors at the same time. Hope for a lasting recovery has begun, and your first step has been taken.
What are some of the therapies used? Trained and highly experienced counselors deliver a customized program to your specific needs. Since each person is unique and each situation is different, a caring treatment center will tailor a program just for you. The therapies, conducted by trained, licensed, and certified therapists, that are often used include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- EMDR
- Alternative and holistic therapies
CBT helps you to learn about and recognize negative thoughts that often lead to self-destructive actions. This type of therapy aims to change thought patterns and the actions that lead to negative behavior. DBT focuses on having people accept themselves and can include mindfulness and coping with distressful situations. EMDR has been effective in dealing with alcohol abuse resulting from trauma or PTSD. Alternative therapies might include equine therapy with horses, animal or pet therapy, creative therapy with art or music, and mindful meditation. You might have group therapy and family therapy as well as individualized sessions. Recreational therapy, nutritional therapy, acupuncture, fitness, and yoga might also be part of your treatment plan. In some cases, Neurofeedback is used as well.
The purpose of a range of therapies is to help you learn new coping skills and awareness that will lead to better choices and enduring sobriety. You may make new friends as you begin to shed old habits, hangouts, and the relationship with drinking that brought you to treatment. Sometimes such alternative therapies, such as art therapy, music therapy, yoga, physical recreation, meditation, and mindfulness are part of your individualized program; from them, you will learn new paths to the enjoyment and that drink is not the only way to have fun. By becoming aware of your triggers and urges, you will be able to move on to a lifetime of recovery and being sober.
Yes, the right rehab for alcoholics can soothe you so you don’t feel like you’re drowning; it can be your life raft. You will have a world of abundant new options and will make more life-enhancing choices. Alcohol addiction will no longer rule your precious life. If you are 18 or older, find out more about the path to a sober future through recovery. Give us a call at (440) 253-9915; our counselors are available 24 hours a day to get you started on a unique recovery with positive choices.
