Physical alcohol addiction

The body of an alcoholic becomes so accustomed to the presence of alcohol in the system that they actually become metabolically dependent on the alcohol. In order to continue functioning the body requires alcohol to be present.

Psychological alcohol dependency

Alcohol abusers become entrenched in beliefs that drinking helps them to "cope" with life. They develop self-defeating patterns of thought and behaviour which makes it very difficult to stop drinking. In fact these faulty beliefs can make the physical symptoms even worse.

Dichotomy of alcoholism

This means that people with the disease of alcoholism have an illness that affects them physically and mentally. An alcohol rehab center cannot help the alcoholic to achieve lasting alcohol recovery unless it addresses both of these areas.

Alcohol Rehab: the good news

Modern science has developed a number of effective treatments for alcoholism. Although they don't promise to completely cure alcohol addiction the programs in alcohol rehabs can be shown to be able to stop this disease from getting worse and help the patient reclaim his/her life. There are many alcohol dependency treatments available and sometimes it can be hard to choose which one to go to - they all make such grand claims in their marketing campaigns!

Certainly you should choose an alcohol rehab center that doesn't lose track of the dual nature of this illness. Ask the staff of any center you are approaching whether they comprehensively address the physical and psychological roots of this illness.

Remember that it is your future at stake - don't take chances when making the all important decision about which alcohol rehab to choose.