Alcohol Addiction Treatment; The 3 Main Steps

By David Richards

In alcohol addiction treatment programs there are three major steps that are included whatever treatment philosophy they have. These are; stop drinking or alcohol intervention, alcohol detoxification and alcoholism rehabilitation.

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When Do You Need Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

By David Richards

Most of us like to drink and have a good time. ‘Partying’ is just a harmless recreational use of drinking. But, when is it too much? How can you tell if you are addicted? And when should you consider alcohol addiction treatment?

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20 Questions to ask about Alcohol Addiction

By Bob Flannery

The short quiz is commonly referred to as “ The 20 Questions” and the original, developed by researchers in the addiction field, has been adjusted many times over the years to include all mood-altering substances and prescription medications. As a quick provider in indicating areas of concern, it has proven a valuable tool keyed to behavior among substance abusers and those who may be drinking too much alcohol.

If you or someone you know feels they may have a problem with alcohol, drugs or prescription pills we recommend answering the following questions as honestly as you can! All that’s needed is a simple “yes” or “no” and you’ll gain a perspective on what you should be doing to turn things around promptly .

• Have I been gulping drinks rather than sipping them?

• When I’m under pressure do I drink or do drugs more than usual?

• Has drinking and substance abuse made me more impulsive and less rational?

• Do I feel guilty about drinking and doing drugs?

• Have I lost time from work because of my dependencies on alcohol and prescription meds?

• Has my drinking and drug use caused abusive conduct at home with my spouse and children?

• Do I continue drinking when companions have stopped?

• Do I sneak drinks or pop pills before or during social events?

• Have I ever had an auto accident because of drinking or substance abuse?

• Do I forget things that happened when I drink or use drugs?

• If alcohol is not available at a social event am I uncomfortable?

• Am I harder to get along with after drinking for a while?

• Do I still claim I can stop drinking and doing drugs whenever I want?

• Do I crave a drink at any special time every day?

• Do I ever need a drink first thing in the morning or a pill to get going?

• Did I ever hide a bottle or a “stash at home?”

• Do I prefer to drink alone so it’s possible to drink more?

• Have I lost a job because of my drug use or drinking?

• Do I ever need a drink or a couple of pills to get rid of the “shakes?”

• Do chemical substances or alcohol help me build confidence?

If you answered “yes” to several of these questions it may be time for you to take a closer look at your drinking or use of mood altering drugs. If you took the test for someone else you might want to confront that person now with your results. Those who did answer “yes” should strongly consider consulting with a treatment professional now. One doesn’t jump to conclusions but this test will point out the proper direction to take.

Many of us have wondered about “social drinking” and others have pondered the “borders” of substance abuse. When does alcohol or some other mood-altering substance become a concern and how can we tell if we’re headed for trouble? The tests helps! When was “ alcohol” first discovered and by whom? Has alcoholism and addiction always been a problem among different societies? Why are some groups more than others effected and why do I drink differently than others. These doubts and recurring questions are more and more troubling as dependency grows and addiction to drugs and alcohol becomes a true fear.

The 20 Questions can help advance such a plan. Doubts accompany almost any intake of mood altering substances when capacity limits have been exceeded. Excesses are actually symptomatic and recognized as markers where guilt begins and we ponder major changes in behavior with alcohol or prescription drug intake. It’s a point universally shared and may be most important for anyone interested in avoiding the consequences of alcoholism and drug dependency. So how do we know if we’ve turned the corner on our drinking and it’s become an addiction? In the early days of alcoholism and drug treatment therapists and counselors would say: “If you think you have a problem with alcohol or drugs you almost certainly do!” That would often suffice as a personal diagnosis and was followed by a list of behaviors that usually accompany frequent and obsessive bouts with alcohol.

The next step requires honesty with ones self. Since denial is, however, a prime symptom of alcoholism and drug addiction that may not be as easy as it sounds. A clearer answer lies in the person’s conduct. We can be sure we’re headed for possible alcoholism and addiction if our consumption of any chemical substance has begun to adversely affect a major part of our life.

According to professionals in addiction and alcoholism treatment there is another way of saying it: “An alcoholic or addict is a person who excessively and uncontrollably uses any substances to the point where it interferes with health, family or employment.” We recommend you take the “ 20 Questions ” honestly and follow up with action if the results you get indicate more problems ahead.

If you or someone you know is experiencing the consequences of alcohol abuse or feels a growing dependency on drugs, please contact The Beachcomber Family Treatment Center . Telephone: 561- 734 – 1818. Our treatment specialists will speak with you promptly! Over 5,000 Beachcomber residents have followed our footsteps to recovery since we began our journey in South Florida in 1976. Please call us today !

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Flannery

Can Online Counseling for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Problems Be Effective

By Jan Edward Williams

The answer to the question in the title of this article is: “Yes, but with the need to understand the limits of online help.”

Definitions

The words “alcohol dependence” or “addiction” are often used without definition. So, let’s first define some terms. As used in this article, alcohol or drug addiction means that a person’s alcohol or other drug use has reached the point that the person cannot use without loss of control over use of the substance and/or cannot use without producing adverse consequences in significant life areas. The addicted person has developed a psychological and/or physical dependence upon the substance. An addicted person will continue to use the substance in the face of adverse consequences.

The term alcohol or drug dependence is often used interchangeably with addiction, but here I use the term dependence to mean physical dependence on a substance, meaning that stopping use of the substance will result in withdrawal symptoms. A person can develop dependence on a substance without developing addiction; the best example of this physical dependence would be the person who takes a narcotic analgesic (pain killer such as oxycodone or morphine) as prescribed by a doctor long enough to be physically dependent on the drug, a natural, inevitable consequence of chronic use of such a drug. Under these circumstances, abruptly stopping use of the substance will result in the withdrawal syndrome typical for the class of substance involved. Most persons with addiction (for ex., alcoholism) are NOT physically dependent on their drug and will not experience the full blown physical withdrawal for the substance. They will, however, experience cravings, sleeplessness, and other symptoms caused by their psychological dependence on the drug.

Diagnosis

Alcohol or other drug problems fall within two diagnostic categories: abuse or addiction (as I said, often called dependence). Abuse basically means the person has developed a pattern of use of the substance in the face of adverse consequences in significant life areas (medically, financially, legally, problems in relationships). Addiction is summarized in the first paragraph of this article.

Treatment

Alcoholism and other drug addictions are devastating disorders which negatively impact affected individuals and all who care about them, physically, emotionally and mentally, and spiritually. For persons diagnosed with full blown addiction, I favor an abstinence based treatment model, meaning a model whose basic ultimate (it may take a while to get there) goal is abstinence from use of alcohol or other drugs. This model should include education, cognitive behavioral counseling, and use of Twelve Step (for ex., AA) spiritually based principles. Online addiction treatment can be helpful in itself and/or as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes traditional face-to-face counseling and other treatment interventions.

Treatment of Severe Addiction

Successful treatment of persons with full blown alcohol or other drug addiction may require a comprehensive treatment program, with services provided by professionals face-to-face. This treatment would be beyond that offered by online addiction treatment. Such a comprehensive program should be staffed by helping professionals from many disciplines. Staff should include physicians to address medical issues such as withdrawal, mental health professionals such as psychiatrists or psychologists, to treat co- or pre-existing psychiatric disorders that may be present, and last but not least, certified, licensed addiction counselors, preferably a significant number of whom are in recovery themselves. Such a Treatment Program should also provide individual and group counseling, educational groups, and, as important as any of the treatments, access to Twelve Step self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Nar-Anon (for loved ones), and ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), to name but a few.

An evaluation will reveal the extent of the treatment required. This evaluation can be performed online by a qualified addictions counselor.

Online Treatment or Counseling

Online help for persons with full blown addiction problems can be helpful, but the comprehensive programs outlined under Treatment of Severe Addiction may be necessary depending upon the seriousness of the problem. A comprehensive evaluation of the addicted person is needed. Such an evaluation can be done online, leading to recommendations for the appropriate treatment. Persons who are already involved in any stage (intensive outpatient, continuing care, aftercare) of traditional treatment programs can use online services as a supplement to their treatment and to Twelve Step Program attendance. Persons who have completed traditional treatment can also benefit from these services.

Loved Ones of an Addicted Person

Spouses, lovers, friends, co-workers, parents, brothers, sisters, and sons and daughters, to name a few, can be concerned that the person they care about may have an alcohol or other drug problem. When adult children are concerned about use by a parent, the term “Adult Child of an Alcoholic or Addict” (ACOA) may apply. Persons close to an individual with a drug or alcohol need help for their natural feelings of confusion, hurt, anger, and loneliness. Online services can provide support, education, and recommendations for these concerned persons.

Cautions

Persons with serious emotional or psychiatric conditions (such as, but not limited to, eating disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), not stabilized through traditional treatment by a qualified mental health professional are not appropriate for the help offered online and should seek help from such professionals before accessing online services. These patients can, when stabilized by appropriate treatment, benefit from online counseling. Persons who are depressed and thinking of harming themselves or others are also not appropriate for online help and should get help immediately by calling a crisis line, going to the Emergency Room of a hospital, or seeking other immediate help. These patients can, when stabilized by appropriate treatment, also benefit from online counseling Persons who have a pattern of using addictive substances on a daily or almost daily basis need to access face-to-face evaluation and treatment service providers to address possible medical and other problems associated with withdrawal that may accompany physical dependence, before using online services available here.

Limitations 1. By its nature, internet counseling can be interrupted by technological difficulties beyond the control of either the counselor or the client. Before services are provided, the client will be given suggestions for alternative methods for contacting the counselor should disruptions in the client’s service occur (for ex., a public library). The counselor should pledge that should technical difficulties result from his/her personal computer or other internet access, the counselor will have alternative internet access readily available. 2. The visual and auditory cues available during face-to-face counseling are, of course, not available in internet counseling. Therefore, it is vital that both the client and the counselor be diligent in seeking clarification of any communications, as needed. 3. The addictions counselor must at the outset of the counseling relationship help the client to identify local therapists and other treatment providers, including crisis services. 4. The addictions counselor must include safeguards to keep client information confidential and protected from unauthorized access. Client information, including history, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and progress notes, should be for the counselor’s eyes only. No one else must have access to this information. The information should be retained on a safeguarded CD for one year after the counseling relationship has ended, or for a longer or shorter period of time dictated by the client.

Under the circumstances outlined in this article, online counseling of persons with drug or alcohol abuse or addictions can be effective.

In addition to his law degree, Jan Edward Williams has a Master of Science degree in pastoral counseling, and is a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor. He has personal and professional experience to aid him in helping persons with alcohol and other drug problems. He is in recovery himself, with over 29 years of continuous sobriety, and has been working in the drug and alcohol field for 27 years. Recently Jan has developed an online drug and alcohol abuse counseling service, called AlcoholDrugSOS Services. This service is aimed at helping persons with drug abuse or addiction problems or alcohol abuse or addiction (alcoholism) problems. His web site is www.alcoholdrugsos.com/, and his e-mail is jwilliams@alcoholdrugsos.com.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jan_Edward_Williams

Alcoholism Recovery: 12 Steps to Stay Sober Over the Christmas Holidays

By Larry Smith

One of the most difficult times of the year for those recovering from alcoholism is the Christmas holidays. If you find yourself struggling during the Christmas season, please remember that you are not alone. Help is only a phone call or a meeting away! Here are some helpful and practical tips to keep you from taking that first drink.

1. Plan Each and Every Day of Your Holiday

Plan to spend the majority of your time with friends and family who are supportive of your recovery. If you are required to be present for a social gathering where alcohol is being served, bring a fellow AA member with you. Plan fun events and outings to replace your old drinking rituals.

2. Find an “Alkathon” in Your Area

During the Christmas season, some AA groups hold a marathon of meetings called an “Alkathon.” It is a time when the members of Alcoholics Anonymous gather together to celebrate their recovery from alcohol addiction. Many AA groups have meetings on the hour every hour to share their experience, strength and hope. If you are a member of the fellowship or think that you might have a problem with alcohol, you are welcome to attend. Check the local papers for an “Alkathon” in your area.

3. Ask for Support from Your Family and Friends

Those who are truly supportive of your recovery will be happy to help you throughout the holidays. Be up front and tell them your concerns.

4. Have a List of at Least Ten People you can call if you feel the Urge to Drink

Make a list and check it twice. Carry your cell phone and your list of names at all times. The urge to drink is very powerful and can happen at any time.

5. Don’t Forget about Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is an essential component of any balanced recovery program. If you have extra time on your hands, it is a great idea to get out and exercise. Examples include running, skating, cross country skiing, stretching, yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates or water aerobics. Instead of napping on the couch after dinner, go for a walk around the block.

6. Stay Away from Slippery Places

There is absolutely no reason to ever check out your former favorite drinking establishments. It is very likely that your old drinking buddies are still there and are still telling the same old stories.

7. Create New Traditions to replace your Old Drinking Patterns

Try something totally different during the holidays. Buy a new board game; take the family on a sleigh ride; prepare a family power point presentation. Use you imagination, be creative and have fun.

8. Write out a Daily Gratitude List

The quickest cure to get you out of the holiday blues is by counting your blessings. Be grateful for what you have by writing out a gratitude list every morning. Don’t stop writing until you have at least 10 items on your list.

9. Volunteer your Services to a Charitable Organization

There are many people in your community who are homeless and hungry. Why not volunteer to work at a soup kitchen or at a special Christmas dinner for those less fortunate than you? You will be helping not only the needy but yourself!

10. Write a Letter to yourself. How I Stayed Sober over Christmas.

The act of writing your ideas on paper is very powerful. Write down all the activities and events that will help you have healthy happy sober Christmas. Now take action on them and make this letter come true!

11. Avoid H.A.L.T.

H.A.L.T. stands for:

• Hungry

• Angry

• Lonely

• Tired

There are very simple solutions for all of the above items. If you are hungry, get something to eat. If you are angry, talk to somebody about it. If you are lonely, go to a meeting or call a friend. If you are tired, get a good night’s sleep.

12. Live One Day at a time and Enjoy your Sobriety!

Stay in the moment. Have present time consciousness. Be in the now. These are all different ways of telling you to live 1 day at a time. Never mind about what happened or what could happen. Enjoy today. Live today. Celebrate your sobriety!

If you follow these simple steps, it is totally feasible to stay sober over the Christmas Holidays. Take action now! Print out this article and plan a Happy and Healthy holiday season.

Dr. Larry Smith Chiropractor and Author of:

Embrace the Journey of Recovery: From Tragedy to Triumph!

Are You Recovering From Alcohol or Drug Addiction?

“If your answer is yes, then this book is for you!”

Embrace the Journey of Recovery will passionately reignite your spirit and teach you how to confront, conquer and powerfully triumph over addiction, cancer or any other life threatening illness! Is addiction a genuine life threatening illness like cancer? If so, then why is it concealed behind a wall of shame and denial?

Discover the answer and experience the remarkable story of two courageous yet ordinary individuals and their astonishing recoveries from heartbreaking tragedy. Find out how a cancer survivor and an alcoholic mutually support each other and passionately embrace the journey of recovery.

Their message is simple. They transformed their lives and you can too!

To find out more about this exciting new book click here:

embracingthejourneybook.com/

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Smith

Alcoholism Recovery: 12 Steps to Stay Sober Over the Christmas Holidays:

By Larry Smith

One of the most difficult times of the year for those recovering from alcoholism is the Christmas holidays. If you find yourself struggling during the Christmas season, please remember that you are not alone. Help is only a phone call or a meeting away! Here are some helpful and practical tips to keep you from taking that first drink.

1. Plan Each and Every Day of Your Holiday

Plan to spend the majority of your time with friends and family who are supportive of your recovery. If you are required to be present for a social gathering where alcohol is being served, bring a fellow AA member with you. Plan fun events and outings to replace your old drinking rituals.

2. Find an “Alkathon” in Your Area

During the Christmas season, some AA groups hold a marathon of meetings called an “Alkathon.” It is a time when the members of Alcoholics Anonymous gather together to celebrate their recovery from alcohol addiction. Many AA groups have meetings on the hour every hour to share their experience, strength and hope. If you are a member of the fellowship or think that you might have a problem with alcohol, you are welcome to attend. Check the local papers for an “Alkathon” in your area.

3. Ask for Support from Your Family and Friends

Those who are truly supportive of your recovery will be happy to help you throughout the holidays. Be up front and tell them your concerns.

4. Have a List of at Least Ten People you can call if you feel the Urge to Drink

Make a list and check it twice. Carry your cell phone and your list of names at all times. The urge to drink is very powerful and can happen at any time.

5. Don’t Forget about Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is an essential component of any balanced recovery program. If you have extra time on your hands, it is a great idea to get out and exercise. Examples include running, skating, cross country skiing, stretching, yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates or water aerobics. Instead of napping on the couch after dinner, go for a walk around the block.

6. Stay Away from Slippery Places

There is absolutely no reason to ever check out your former favorite drinking establishments. It is very likely that your old drinking buddies are still there and are still telling the same old stories.

7. Create New Traditions to replace your Old Drinking Patterns

Try something totally different during the holidays. Buy a new board game; take the family on a sleigh ride; prepare a family power point presentation. Use you imagination, be creative and have fun.

8. Write out a Daily Gratitude List

The quickest cure to get you out of the holiday blues is by counting your blessings. Be grateful for what you have by writing out a gratitude list every morning. Don’t stop writing until you have at least 10 items on your list.

9. Volunteer your Services to a Charitable Organization

There are many people in your community who are homeless and hungry. Why not volunteer to work at a soup kitchen or at a special Christmas dinner for those less fortunate than you? You will be helping not only the needy but yourself!

10. Write a Letter to yourself. How I Stayed Sober over Christmas.

The act of writing your ideas on paper is very powerful. Write down all the activities and events that will help you have healthy happy sober Christmas. Now take action on them and make this letter come true!

11. Avoid H.A.L.T.

H.A.L.T. stands for:

• Hungry

• Angry

• Lonely

• Tired

There are very simple solutions for all of the above items. If you are hungry, get something to eat. If you are angry, talk to somebody about it. If you are lonely, go to a meeting or call a friend. If you are tired, get a good night’s sleep.

12. Live One Day at a time and Enjoy your Sobriety!

Stay in the moment. Have present time consciousness. Be in the now. These are all different ways of telling you to live 1 day at a time. Never mind about what happened or what could happen. Enjoy today. Live today. Celebrate your sobriety!

If you follow these simple steps, it is totally feasible to stay sober over the Christmas Holidays. Take action now! Print out this article and plan a Happy and Healthy holiday season.

Dr. Larry Smith Chiropractor and Author of:

Embrace the Journey of Recovery: From Tragedy to Triumph!

Are You Recovering From Alcohol or Drug Addiction?

“If your answer is yes, then this book is for you!”

Embrace the Journey of Recovery will passionately reignite your spirit and teach you how to confront, conquer and powerfully triumph over addiction, cancer or any other life threatening illness! Is addiction a genuine life threatening illness like cancer? If so, then why is it concealed behind a wall of shame and denial?

Discover the answer and experience the remarkable story of two courageous yet ordinary individuals and their astonishing recoveries from heartbreaking tragedy. Find out how a cancer survivor and an alcoholic mutually support each other and passionately embrace the journey of recovery.

Their message is simple. They transformed their lives and you can too!

To find out more about this exciting new book click here:

embracingthejourneybook.com/

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Smith

The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood Goes Into Rehab

Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood has checked himself into rehab.

The 59-year-old guitarist is believed to have been battling alcoholism for some time and has now decided to take action.

….

From: EntertainmentWise

Dennis Hopper’s Addiction Took Him To Jail

Veteran actor DENNIS HOPPER ended up in seven different jails after an alcohol detox in Mexico in 1982 made him hallucinate and forget who he was.

The APOCALYPSE NOW star, who was addicted to alcohol and drugs during the 1970s and early 1980s, was convinced he needed to find an army to fight in a third world war, and went out looking for soldiers – naked.
He explains, “My manager had called and said, Don’t give him any booze,’ so I couldn’t get a drink and started having hallucinations.

[MORE: HOPPER’S ADDICTION TOOK HIM TO JAIL]

Alcohol industry profits from underage drinking

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Underage drinking is worth nearly $23 billion a year to the alcohol industry, or 17.5 percent of all money spent on spirits in the US annually, researchers from New York’s Columbia University report.

And abusive drinking by both underage people and adults may account for nearly half of all money spent on alcohol each year.

[MORE: Alcohol industry profits from underage drinking?|?Reuters.com ]

‘Women Under the Influence’ addresses women’s addiction problems

According to a just-published book, “Women Under the Influence,” six million women in the United States abuse or are addicted to alcohol. That’s one woman in 20; 15 million use illicit drugs or abuse prescription drugs (that’s one woman in 10); and 32 million smoke cigarettes. (That’s one woman in five.)

[MORE: The Daily Times – www.delmarvanow.com – Salisbury, Md.]

New call for investment in alcohol treatment services

Tue 14 Mar 2006

ONLY one in 18 alcoholics is getting the necessary help to cope with their addiction, the Government has revealed.

Alcohol Concern today called on the Department of Health to invest more in services for people with alcohol problems.

The charity wants the Department of Health to address the under-funding of treatment services across the country.

The “Spend £1, Get £5 Free” campaign aims to highlight the findings of the UK Alcohol Treatment Trial, published last year in the British Medical Journal, which showed each pound invested in treatment saved the public purse £5.

According to Alcohol Concern, drink-related problems cost the UK economy £18 billion a year and cause 22,000 deaths.

There are around 8.2 million people with an alcohol problem in Britain, with 1.1 million dependent on the substance.

Source

©2006 Scotsman.com