- US Health Corps
Choose health.
“And we can help create a culture – imagine this – where our kids ask for healthy options instead of resisting them.” – Michelle Obama
Where to start with alcohol addiction treatment
Alcohol addiction is one of the most common issues amongst adults in the USA. According to the latest studies, at least 23.6 million people live with alcoholism or other substance use disorders. But this is not the scariest thing. It is estimated that less than 10% of the aforementioned number is ever going to seek any type of alcohol treatment or would go to a rehab facility. 20% of people who enter rehab centers in the country would do so because they have serious alcohol addiction issues. This is according to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration). The statistics are worrying.
According to the Administration and a summary report that they published, no less than 80% of Americans are actually fully aware of the importance of rehabilitative treatment for those who are actually addicted to alcohol. However, when it comes to identifying and finding this treatment, this is where the challenges arise. It seems that the first steps when it comes to starting with your alcohol addiction are the hardest ones.
And that’s quite understandable. One of the most challenging symptoms of alcoholism is denial. You deny that you have a problem while, at the same time, it’s clear that you’re already over the line.
The Most Important Aspects to Consider
It is true that the number of programs and options that you would have in front of you when commencing your treatment are quite numerous can be overwhelming. One key to making this particular process a lot easier is to be fully aware of the elements which are important when it comes to alcohol addiction treatment. This would enable you to make fully aware choices which would undoubtedly lead to lifelong recovery.
However, keep in mind that rehab is, after all, intended to enhance your life, to sober you up and to help you acquire the skills that you need as well as the allocated treatments which would give you the best shot at a full and productive life.
There are a few elements that you will want to take into account when it comes to it and these include:
- The program has to be accredited by the CARF or the Joint Commission
- There should be a particular multidisciplinary approach to the alcohol treatment issue
- There should be individualized treatment planning
- The programs for rehabilitation should include your whole being, including aspects such as spirit and mind
- There should be a few different levels of care so that the treatment approach could be easily designed for your needs in particular
Individualization is particularly critical
Now, there are quite a lot of different treatments for this condition throughout the entire country. However, a lot of people would actually focus on the recreational aspect instead of the quality of the program itself. Take Florida, for example – most people want the facility to be near the beach and to be in a sunny location, without paying a lot of attention to the actual quality of the program itself.
While the location and recreation capabilities are definitely a plus to consider, the real focus should be undoubtedly towards the program itself.
What may work for one person may not be appropriate for another. Furthermore, individual treatment might be better for some people while others might do better in a group. It’s only after a thorough physical and psychological evaluation that you can take a decision of this kind. You may benefit from inpatient treatment which is directly followed by sober living, for example. Someone else might need particularly intensive outpatient rehabilitation.
In any case, the main point here is that each and every patient has his or her own considerations which need to be thoroughly accounted for.
If the addiction treatment program fails to deliver that specific and tailored planning, you might find yourself working to fit yourself to a program where the reality should be the opposite. You might be in a program which is simply unfit for your personal needs. This could potentially result in failed results and expectations.
The Beginning
Every quality addiction treatment should start with detox. This is regardless of whether subsequent rehab is actually an outpatient of inpatient program. This is something that you have to take into account.
Furthemore, beyond that detox which should always be medically supervised, the immediate and the smooth transition towards the rehabilitation should be very carefully handled. If there are any mental conditions which have surfaced throughout the rehab period, these need to be diagnosed and addressed. This is where dual diagnosis care comes into the picture. Without this particular level of treatment, it is highly likely that the patient would fall victim to a relapse.
There are quite a lot of experts throughout the entire medical field who need to be made available to the patient in order to address their different issues and challenges. This is a multidisciplinary approach which is going to ensure that the patient receives the necessary care and attention to get through the issues that he might be experiencing adequately.
Summing it up
Alcohol addiction treatment is not just a recreational stay at a sunny facility near the beach. There is a tremendous amount of complex medicinal positions which take place in order to deliver the most adequate and high-quality treatment for the patient.
Substance abuse, regardless of its kind, requires flawless and undivided attention. Programs of the “one-size-fits-all” kind should be avoided as there is a need for a tailored, individualized approach towards every single patient.
Only after the necessary metrics have been examined can the professional come up with something proper in terms of solution. Implementing multidisciplinary treatment as well as other considerations of the ones that we mentioned above is important
These are the things that you ought to be looking forward to when seeking out your rehab treatment facility. This is a great starting point and one that you ought to account for.
Online Treatment
Another option is to consider online treatment including the How To Give Up Alcohol Course from AlcoholFreeSocial.com which will help you give up alcohol from the comfort and privacy of your own home. They also have a detailed blog with a lot more information for you with information on dealing with alcohol problems.
Diet
Changing your diet doesn’t have to mean cutting back on all food.
A good “diet” means giving your body adequate alimentation – the nutrients and calories it needs to function properly. The problems most people face with their diets are the result of mindless eating, ignorance, or short-term convenience. In the long run, though you will end up paying more for “fast food” by means of health complications.
While weight loss is often a side-effect of choosing a good diet, the real goal is to empower yourself to function and feel better on a daily basis, while making choices that are responsible in the long run.
Selecting a good diet means knowing what your body needs. Choosing to follow a good diet means loving your body.
According to a 2014 article in The Atlantic, “A diet of minimally processed foods close to nature, predominantly plants, is decisively associated with health promotion and disease prevention.”
Some suggestions for possible dietary alternatives…
Anti-inflammatory diet
This diet is based on the premise that certain diseases as well as a general reduction in health are promoted by chronic inflammation. By controlling the food and drink we consume and avoiding inflammatory, we are able to remain healthier and avoid illnesses such as arthritis and migraines. The Arizona Center for Integrative Health has a great resource on anti-inflammatory eating.
Mediterranean diet
This diet is a particularly great choice for those in dire need of improving their heart health. It focuses on eating primarily plant-based foods, replacing salt with fresh herbs and spices, and using healthy fats (like olive oil) instead of butter and saturated fats. The MayoClinic is our favorite site for more information on this diet.
Gluten-free diet
There is much controversy over whether humans should be eating gluten (found in wheat, barley, rye, etc.), which is driving many people – beyond just those with celiac disease – to banish gluten from their diets. The Celiac Disease Foundation has a great resource to help you get started on this diet, which is certainly beneficial from promoting the consumption of more natural, less processed foods.
Paleo diet
Though certainly controversial, there is support for this diet, which is founded on the premise that we should eat the same food as our ancestors, without cheese and processed food, but full of fresh produce, meat, fish, and legumes. From Nerdfitness, here is a beginner’s guide to paleo.
(As always, please consult with a qualified medical professional to make informed medical decisions. This page is intended simply to communicate some possible options.)