Struggling With Alcoholism? Steps To Recovery

After a person accepts that they are addicted to alcohol and is willing to change, the journey to addiction recovery begins. The process may take a few months, depending on the person’s determination. Also, the level of addiction varies from one person to another. Recovery is mainly an individual journey without comparing the outcome with other people’s results. People may experience relapses from time to time due to side effects that come with detoxification and withdrawal. However, if your will to detach yourself from alcohol is greater than the effects, you can break free quickly. Rehabilitation is also a great option for severe addiction—you can advise the alcohol victim to get it now before the situation worsens. Here are the key steps to expect when starting the journey to alcoholism recovery.

Examination

A medical examination is a fundamental component of any treatment. Your psychiatrist will have you do a physical and a medical evaluation. The test’s purpose is to ensure that the person taking you through the process is aware of any medical problem you might have that will need attention during treatment. Withdrawal from any drug has its side effects, and your physician needs to know if your body can go through them without much struggle.

Detoxification

Detoxification is the initial stage in any addiction recovery. It involves the removal of toxic substances from the body, making it alcohol-free. The process is easy as it may take days. However, the body reacts differently without alcohol, and the patient starts having withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms include hallucinations, seizures, severe headaches, shaking, loss of appetite, vomiting, and dizziness. Therefore, patients undergoing alcoholism recovery must start their journey with a skilled physician or in a rehabilitation center for monitoring and medication. Avoid buying detoxification drugs over the counter because the drugs are dangerous when mishandled.

Medication

Your doctor will give you medicine to help in controlling withdrawal symptoms such as headache, hallucinations, and seizures. The medication should be taken with the exact recommended dosage because it may cause other problems if taken in excess. If the drug is not working for reevaluation and drug change, talk to your doctor. However, even after medication, the urge to take alcohol may still be high. You will need to find some recreational activities to keep your mind from thinking about drinking. You will also need to cut ties with people you drink with to reduce the temptation.

Individual Therapy

Therapy is a recovery process that focuses on changing the person’s perspective on drugs. The therapist aims to determine the cause of addiction and direct the patient on the right path—most addiction cases are due to past trauma, depressing situations, and work-related problems. Identifying the cause of any addiction will help the addict make wise decisions and value their health. A psychiatrist can also determine if the patient has gone back to their old ways and why such behavior.

Group Therapy

It involves meeting people with addiction problems and discussing their journey of recovery. One or two psychiatrists are assigned to the group and guide the session. In the discussion groups, people can learn from other people’s struggles and get motivated to continue the healing process. People also share coping mechanisms for pressure from peers and people they take alcohol or drugs with.

Recovering from alcohol abuse is an arduous but significant journey. Walking away from substance abuse is crucial to your health and the people around you. The healing process starts with body detox, medication, and therapy. Group therapy meetings are also vital in sharing difficult experiences and ways to overcome the drinking temptations. Remember to find yourself a hobby to keep you busy. You might also want to cut ties with your drinking friends because you may get tempted to drink again or get pressured into drinking.