Five Signs That an Individual Needs Alcohol Rehab
You can watch out for the following signs to help you figure out if you or someone you love needs to go into alcohol rehab immediately.
1. They Struggle With Health Problems But Refuse To Stop Drinking
Excessive alcohol use may increase an individual’s risk of developing digestive problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, stroke, and some cancers. It also increases the chances of getting sick because it weakens an individual’s immune system.
Mental health and performance are also affected by alcoholism. People with alcohol addiction may have memory or learning problems, mental health issues – and behavioral problems when it comes to work, friends, and family.
If an individual doesn’t stop drinking even though problems have been pointed out as being caused by their alcohol use, they need professional help.
2. They Are Losing Family and Friends Due To Alcohol Abuse
Close relationships are one of the first things to suffer when alcoholism develops. If you have not prioritized your family and other loved ones because of your alcohol addiction, you need professional help. If you care about someone addicted and can’t imagine continuing a relationship with them if they don’t stop drinking, they need professional help.
3. They Are in Trouble Due To Ignoring Work or School Responsibilities
Functional alcoholics are common. Everyone knows someone in their community who drinks heavily but continues to maintain appearances at work or school. However, it’s far more common that individuals who have a drinking problem will also struggle with work or school responsibilities. Many individuals that drink too much can find themselves expelled from school or fired from their jobs.
4. They Have Co-occurring Issues That Are Worsened by Alcohol
Some individuals may use alcohol to self-medicate, with alcoholism as the typical result. Alcohol use often doesn’t actually help deal with mental or behavioral health issues. It may even create new problems. In cases where there are co-occurring physical issues, too much alcohol can only worsen the situation.
If you or your loved one is using alcohol to self-medicate, the habit needs to stop as soon as possible. Rehab can reduce an individual’s health issues, if only because of detoxing and abstaining from alcohol.
5. They Have Failed Repeatedly To Stop Drinking
Can you or someone you care about stop drinking if you decide to do it? This is a standard test of addiction. Another is whether or not an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking regularly.
What To Look for in an Alcohol Rehab Center Program
Search for an alcohol rehab center program that helps individuals throughout all the steps – from detox to addiction treatment and further. Many addiction treatment facilities will be able to have individuals go through these steps all in one location. Look for medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This may be required for some individuals to deal with discomforting withdrawal symptoms.
Individuals will be transferred into a customized alcohol addiction program post-detox. While most rehab centers will personalize each program, individuals should ask specifically if the programs they’re choosing offer this feature. Alcohol rehab programs will feature group counseling, family therapy, individual therapy, and other forms of treatment.
Finally, make sure that the program you choose offers rehab aftercare planning support. This can include anything from support group membership recommendations to help in looking for employment opportunities.
When alcohol use becomes addictive, going to an alcohol rehab center program is often not far behind. But how do you know if someone’s alcohol use has become an addiction? Because drinking alcohol is not illicit and often part of social events, it’s difficult to distinguish between heavy drinking and addictive behavior.