GeneralOvercoming Alcoholism

It’s not always easy to know when someone is struggling with alcoholism. It can be disguised or hidden among people who only drink socially, and think their alcohol use is not a problem, for that reason. They may eventually find that they drink larger amounts of alcohol more frequently, until they end up being unable to enjoy themselves, or relax, without drinking alcohol.

If you or any of your loved ones have a problem with alcohol addiction, and you are in  Massachusetts,  you will be able to find alcoholics anonymous programs in your area.

Alcoholism can be disguised among people who drink socially. Source

Alcohol Abuse or Dependence

Some people can abuse alcohol, without becoming dependent on it. However, these binge drinkers can also benefit from alcoholism recovery. If you can go for months without drinking, but you struggle to stop when you drink, you may have a binge drinking problem. This abuse can also lead to health, legal and other problems. If you or your loved ones suffer from this problem, you can contact alcoholics anonymous for assistance.

If you’re dependent on alcohol, you might develop an intense craving for it, and it will start to affect your daily life in a negative way. You may be unable to focus at work and experience intense withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, shakiness, and cold sweats if you go without alcohol for a long period of time. These cravings and withdrawal symptoms cause alcoholics to start drinking at inappropriate times such as early in the morning, or before they have to go to work.

Alcoholics need large amounts of alcohol before they feel drunk, as their tolerance gets higher, the more frequently they use it. They usually have trouble controlling their intake and spend money on alcohol instead of necessities. Even those who have high incomes may experience financial difficulties, as they spend large amounts of money on alcohol. They may also get big fines for drinking and driving, or end up being arrested.

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Some people can stop drinking on their own, or with the help of a support group. If you need a group to assist you or one of your loved ones, you can google “aa meetings  Massachusetts” near me.

Your best treatment option will depend on how long you’ve had a drinking problem, how much you drink, and if you have other health issues. If you have a support network of family and friends, it can also help you overcome your problem.

You first need to see your GP or primary care doctor. Your doctor can consider your drinking patterns, look at your overall health, and diagnose any other possible disorders you may be suffering from, before making a treatment referral.

You may be prescribed medication that can help you quit drinking.

Treatment Programs

You have various options when it comes to treatment programs:

• Residential treatment gives you the option of living at a treatment facility, while you receive treatment during the day. This program usually takes from 30 to 60 days.
• If you have a stable living situation, but you need medical monitoring, you can opt for a treatment program where you meet at a hospital three to five days a week, four to six hours per day.
• Outpatient programs can be scheduled around your job and focus on the prevention of a relapse.
• Individual, group, or family therapy can help you identify the causes of your alcohol abuse, help you with learning coping skills and repairing your relationships, and teaches you how to deal with triggers that might cause you to relapse.
• You need to find the best treatment program that will work for you. Your treatment program should be adapted to your situation and unique problems. You don’t only have to see doctors or psychologists for your alcohol abuse treatment. Social workers, counselors, or clergy members can also offer you support.

It’s not an easy process to recover from alcohol abuse and addiction. You’ll have to take a serious look at how alcohol abuse affected your life, and then you need to develop a new way of living. It’s vital that you also receive long-term, follow-up care after your recovery.

If you suffer from other medical or mental health issues, you’ll have to get treatment for these. People often drink too much to ease symptoms of mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. What will help your recovery the most, is if you can get mental health and addiction treatment from the same provider.

Safe Alcohol Withdrawal

You can experience mild to severe symptoms when you stop drinking. This can include headaches, sweating, shaking, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, anxiety and trouble sleeping, elevated heart rate, and high blood pressure. These symptoms could start within a few hours after you’ve stopped drinking and should start improving after five days. However, the withdrawal process can even be life-threatening for some alcoholics. If you’ve been a heavy drinker for a long time, your withdrawal might need to be medically supervised.

You can do your detox on an outpatient basis or in a hospital, and you may be prescribed medication to prevent complications and relieve your withdrawal symptoms. It’s best to speak to your doctor or specialist to get more information about the withdrawal process.

You need immediate medical assistance if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• disorientation and confusion
• hallucinations and fever
• convulsions and seizures
• agitation
• severe vomiting.

These symptoms can be part of a rare severe form of alcohol withdrawal, and it can change the way your brain regulates your breathing and circulation, so it’s vital that you get to the hospital immediately.

Final Thoughts

Don’t try to tackle your addiction alone. It’s vital that you get support, whether you go to rehab, or decide to get therapy. It’s just easier to recover if you have people who can give your encouragement and guidance.

You can get support from family, friends, and counselors. Other recovering alcoholics could also be a good source of support. If your behavior has caused trouble in the family in the past, go for family therapy.

You’ll also find you need to build a sober social network, and avoid connections where your social life revolved around alcohol.

This post has been sponsored by OutreachMama