If alcohol abuse is diagnosed and treated early enough before becoming a full blown dependency, it may be possible to achieve recovery without having to book a full-time residency at a rehabilitation facility.

Whilst still in the abuse stage, before dependency to alcohol is far progressed and withdrawal symptoms are severe enough to warrant in-patient rehab, there is a possibility that the medical attention and medication provided to you by your doctor combined with out-patient treatment (after-hours rehab) may be sufficient for you to attain contented sobriety.

General Practitioners have the necessary knowledge to deliver basic alcoholism treatment, and would usually approach it in the form of medication assisted detoxification of the patient. This addresses one only aspect, the physical, of the disease of alcoholism and further, more intense rehab may be needed to address the underlying causes and conditions.

Alcoholics drink because they’re alcoholic and by speaking of “addressing underlying causes and conditions” I’m not advocating that once any childhood trauma, low-self esteem or social problems are addressed that the alcoholic may return to normal drinking. I mean that further rehab can better enable the alcoholic to take full responsibly for their recovery and associated behaviours

The medication is there to help the patient avoid suffering from withdrawal symptoms and is very effective in alleviating these symptoms, making detoxification as comfortable as possible.

The basic alcoholism treatment most often prescribed by doctors is as follows:

• A GP will prescribe a high dose of medication, usually Librium or similar, for the first day that you stop drinking alcohol.
• You then gradually reduce the dose over the next 5-7 days. This usually prevents, or greatly reduces, the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
• You must agree not to drink any alcohol when you are going through alcohol detox. A breathalyser may be used to confirm that you are not drinking.
• Your GP or practice nurse will usually see you quite often during the time of detoxification.
• Also during detox, support from family or friends can be of great help. Often the responsibility for getting the prescription and giving the detox medicine is shared with a family member or friend, for example, a partner or parent of the person going through detox.

It is important to realise, however, that alcoholism treatment requires more than simply a few pills. It is a disease that not only attacks a person physically, but also mentally and socially.

It is therefore important to attend AA meetings (Alcoholics Anonymous) where you can mingle with people in the same situation as yours, sharing advice on how to cope. It is also a good idea for close friends and family to receive counselling – both to help them cope and to inform them on how to form a successful support structure.

For more information on alcoholism treatment, and to find a facility in your area that can help, contact one of our alcoholism treatment counsellors today.

We will provide you with expert advice on the rehabs & detox's in your area, free of charge! Call now – we’re waiting to talk with you.

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