How Alcohol Addiction Treatment is Saving Lives
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How Alcohol Addiction Treatment is Saving Lives
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How Alcohol Addiction Treatment is Saving Lives

How Alcohol Addiction Treatment is Saving Lives
Written by Seth Fletcher on November 11, 2015
Medical editor Dr. Chintan Shah
Last update: May 29, 2024

While new medications and procedures are being developed all the time, one disease that has continued to elude a definite cure is substance abuse. It is a condition that can affect anyone at any time. Part of what makes addiction so challenging to treat is that it affects the mind as much, if not more, than the body. 

Key Takeaways

  • Substance abuse costs Canada $8 billion annually, affecting both mental and physical health.
  • Alcohol abuse is widespread and often overlooked due to its social acceptability, requiring intensive treatment.
  • Young people (15-24) are more prone to alcohol abuse and mental health issues, complicating treatment.
  • Mental disorders increase the risk of substance abuse, with 20% of individuals having a co-occurring addiction.
  • Rehabilitation programs offer comprehensive care, providing medical support, counselling, and structured environments for recovery.

Even with a more significant focus on awareness of the consequences that substance use can have, rates of addiction have continued to skyrocket all around the globe. Just in Canada, substance abuse has cost the healthcare system a whopping $8 billion. 

One substance in particular that is most often abused is alcohol. Many people don't immediately associate alcohol with substance abuse, considering how socially acceptable drinking is. Because of this, alcohol abuse can even go unchecked in many cases. Even with such a high rate of abuse, alcohol addiction treatment is still just as tricky and intensive as other problems dealing with narcotics or marijuana/weed addiction treatment. 

Part of what has allowed alcohol abuse to become such a common problem is how accessible it is to younger people over other drugs. Unfortunately, people ages 15 to 24 are far more likely to experience substance abuse disorders than any other group. To make matters even worse, this demographic is also the most likely to develop mental illness, adding an entirely new complication to alcohol addiction treatment options.

Regardless of age, people with existing mental health disorders are twice as likely to have substance abuse problems compared to the general population. At least 20% of those suffering from mental illness have a co-occurring drug addiction. For more info, check out our guide on why alcohol is also considered a drug. It can be hard to face the fact that you or a loved one needs help with their substance abuse disorders. However, finding reliable alcohol addiction treatment centers could mean the difference between life and death.

How Does Rehab Help Alcoholics

Rehabilitation programs offer a holistic approach toward addressing alcoholism. A rehabilitation program offers a highly structured environment that enables complete focus on the treatment without the distractions and triggers of the everyday environment. Here are some key benefits of rehab:

  • Getting access to various kinds of treatment options: medical care, counseling and support groups.
  • It is a safe and supportive environment with reduced triggers and distractions.
  • Personalized care plans in relation to the individual's needs and circumstances.
  • There is the opportunity to gain and develop coping strategies toward recovery over a long period of time.
  • Monitoring by medical professionals ensures continued compliance and support.
  • The structured nature of the programs keeps the individual occupied with healthy routines and habits.

Through participation in a rehabilitation program, the individual obtains many rehabilitation benefits that make their chance of transcending the problem of addiction and maintaining sobriety very high. The holistic care and support provided in rehab are essential in breaking the vicious circle of alcohol abuse.

How Alcohol Addiction Treatment is Saving Lives

Benefits of Alcohol Detox

Detoxification is a necessary first step to overcoming alcohol addiction. Many benefits of detox from alcohol increase one's health and well-being. Some key alcohol detox benefits are:

  • Better Liver Function: Detox helps the liver remove poisons and improves liver health with less vulnerability to liver disease.
  • Sharper Mental Clarity: Eliminating alcohol from the human body improves cognitive functions, thus facilitating clear thinking and memory.
  • Emotional Balance: Detox can stabilize emotions and decrease mood swings and irritability caused by alcohol use.
  • Improved Sleep Quality: Without alcohol, individuals often go through more restful and deeper sleep.
  • Stronger Immune System: Clearing out alcohol toxins will generally encourage a more robust immune system, enabling the body to fight off illnesses more effectively.

The benefits of detoxing from alcohol are so huge that it opens a new healthy foundation for the recovery process. These alcohol detox benefits are invaluable for those ready to start their journey to sobriety and better health.

How Alcohol Addiction Treatment is Saving Lives

Alcohol Detox Timeline Benefits

A 30-day alcohol detox program can be transformative for people suffering from alcohol disorders. One of the most significant advantages of a 30-day alcohol detox is the creation of a structured environment, through which the body can cleanse itself of poisons and gain some improvement in physical health. The same period offers focused alcohol treatment, including therapy and counseling, to deal with the deep-seated issues behind addiction.

The continuous support and monitoring help manage withdrawal symptoms safely. Besides this, the program sets up healthy habits and ways of life that are crucial to long-term sobriety. Generally, the benefits of a 30 day alcohol detox extend past immediate recovery; it lays a platform for a healthy, sustained lifestyle free from alcohol disorder.

Why is Rehab Important

Rehab is paramount for individuals who are caught up in the struggles of alcohol addiction because it offers comprehensive care and support. Alcohol rehab gives individuals the place to turn their attention exclusively to their recovery. In treatment centers, different modes of treatment come with medical care, counseling, and therapy sessions that individual needs require.

The alcohol rehab support environment helps individuals confront the underlying causes of their addiction and create better techniques of coping. Through constant support from professionals and peers, one is better able to overcome the different challenges and be committed to the state of sobriety. The different treatment options provided in rehab centers ensure that every level of an individual's health and well-being is looked after, thereby making rehab an essential step in successful recovery.

Is Rehab Worth It?

Undeniably, rehab is well worth it for those seeking to overcome addiction. Rehab centers provide comprehensive alcohol treatment that addresses both physical and psychological aspects of addiction. With medical care, therapy, and support groups, one is provided with the tools and guidelines that can be used to sustain long-term recovery. The structured environment of rehab centers helps to break the addiction cycle, making alcohol treatment an essential step toward a healthier and sober life.

How Alcohol Addiction Treatment is Saving Lives

Success Rate for Alcohol Rehab

While the success rates of rehab centers vary, most programs can proudly say that people who go through their program entirely and utterly committed to recovery have high success rates. Rehab centers place an individual in a structured environment with professional support, to make it easier for them to overcome addiction. Those who undergo a complete rehab program have an infinitely higher likelihood of remaining sober long-term in comparison with persons who try to do it independently. Taken together, this combination of medical care, therapy, and peer support in a rehab center provides a solid foundation for long-term recovery and an enhanced quality of life.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Alcohol addiction treatment is a multilevel process of helping an individual get and stay sober. The critical elements of this process are detoxification, therapy, counseling, and support groups that work together to fight the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Alcohol treatment rehabilitation programs are tailored to the individual; meaning that the treatment is unique to each patient. The alcohol treatment centers create a protected environment where the patient can focus on overcoming addiction. If you want professional help and effective treatment, the Canadian Centre for Addictions is a good option.

FAQ

What makes alcohol addiction so difficult to treat?

Alcohol addiction is challenging to treat because it affects both the mind and body. The social acceptability of drinking also makes alcohol addiction harder to recognize and address the problem early on.

Why is alcohol abuse particularly common among young people?

Alcohol is easily accessible to young people, and those aged 15 to 24 are more likely to develop substance abuse disorders and mental health issues, complicating treatment.

How do mental disorders influence alcohol addiction?

Individuals with existing mental health disorders are twice as likely to have substance abuse problems. At least 20% of those with mental illness have a co-occurring addiction, requiring integrated treatment approaches.

What are the benefits of alcohol rehab?

Alcohol rehab provides a structured, supportive environment with medical care, counselling and support groups. Alcohol rehab helps individuals develop coping strategies, reduce triggers, and offers comprehensive care for physical and psychological recovery.

Is detoxification important in treating alcohol addiction?

Yes, detoxification is a crucial first step in overcoming alcohol addiction. Detoxification improves liver function, mental clarity, emotional balance, and sleep quality and boosts the immune system, laying a healthy foundation for recovery.

Certified Addiction Counsellor

Seth brings many years of professional experience working the front lines of addiction in both the government and privatized sectors.

Dr. Chintan is a Board Certified Family Physician with an interest in holistic and preventative care as well as healthcare systems. Credentialed Physician with both American & Canadian Board of Family Medicine. Adjunct Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Telemedicine clinician.

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