Question by No Chance Without a Kiss: Psychiatric ward prefers alcoholic patients to real mentally ill?
Isn’t it easier to treat the alcoholics, they’re pretty “normal” people just trying to stop drinking. Makes life easier for the doctors and nurses, and everybody knows, many people will take the easy option when given the choice, doesn’t matter to them, as long as they cash their pay check at the end of the week.
“There is a “psychiatric ward” and then there’s “rehabilitation centers”. They are two completely different buildings with two completely different doctors with two completely different purposes.”

Not in my local hospital, it has a psychiatric ward, and the beds are mostly taken up by alcoholics.

Best answer:

Answer by Pam R
People drink to take away the pain of their emotions, so they self medicate themselves this way. But—- there is always an underlying problem on why they do it, and most of the time Dr.’s just want to treat the noticeable problem, which is drinking.

What do you think? Answer below!

Alcohol treatment can be a very effective way for individuals to overcome their addiction to alcohol. Alcohol addiction is a terrible disease that millions of individuals struggle with.  Persons commonly have physical and psychological and emotional ties to alcohol which makes it very difficult for them give it up even though they know that they need to.  Some individuals are able to stop drinking on their own. However, there are many that are not.  For those people, alcohol treatment may be the best option to help them get sober.

It is very important that an alcoholic or anyone that struggles with alcohol abuse to choose the right alcohol treatment facility.  The wrong one can slow down one’s progress or even set them back if the situation is negative or unsettling. An alcoholic may start drinking again to deal with the disappointment of their experience. Therefore, it’s a good idea for individuals to have in-depth interviews with any alcohol treatment center they are considering joining or sending their loved one to so that they can determine whether or not a facility is experienced and knowledgeable.

Alcohol treatment is available in various formats. Two of the most common are inpatient and outpatient. There are also alcohol treatment programs and facilities that are focus on treating a particular part of the population, for example adolescents and teens. There are also Christian based alcohol treatment centers which draw from the Bible and an individuals faith to help them deal with there alcohol addiction.  Generally Christian alcohol treatment centers make their services available to those of any faith.

Adolescent and teen alcohol treatment centers are for younger persons. They have treatment models that are tailor-made for that specific age group because what might work for an adult may not work for someone who younger.

Outpatient treatment is a good choice for those don’t have a very bad addiction. These individuals may want to nip their alcohol abuse in the bud or for someone that has already been through rehab before. Now, some individuals who do have moderate to severe alcohol abuse problems may enroll in an outpatient alcohol treatment program anyway.  This may be their only option. If they can’t afford anything more expensive, like residential care or if they simply don’t have the time or flexibility in their schedule to check into inpatient facility, outpatient treatment may be their only option.  However, it can be a good one if they find the right facility. Outpatient care may also be good for those that have already been an inpatient program, have gotten some control over their alcoholism and simply want to continue treatment.

Inpatient alcohol treatment centers are for those that have very serious alcohol problems. Generally, these individuals have been drinking heavily for years and have not been able to successfully stop on their own. Those that need lots of support and want to get away from the old environment may also opt for inpatient alcohol treatment.

Alcohol abuse can cause changes in a person’s body chemistry and also their brain.  When this occurs, it makes it very hard for individuals to simply stop drinking.  Their body will have a physical reaction and a person will experience withdrawal symptoms that can be very uncomfortable and bothersome.  In order to experience relief, individuals often began drinking again. This is a very threatening to sobriety. When an individual has developed such a severe addiction that they have become physically dependent on alcohol, it may be time to check one’s self into an alcohol detox center.

There are many really good of alcohol rehab programs around the country. An individual can choose to enroll in one that is local or one that is further away from their home. There are advantages and disadvantages for both options.  If an individual is able to function even as an alcoholic they may need to continue working and taking care of their family,  which means that they are not able to leave their immediate area.  In these cases it would make sense for them to find a local alcohol detox center. Persons who either do not have a job or locate an alcohol detox center that seems perfect for them but is out-of-state or out or their immediate area may opt to leave.  This may also be a great decision.

An alcohol detox center can help individuals get rid of the toxic chemicals and any remnants of alcohol in their bodies.  As stated above, this helps breaks the physical addiction so that a person can focus on the psychological and emotional factors that cause them to abuse alcohol.

 The majority of alcohol detox centers will be inpatient and this is because a person may need to be monitored as they go through the withdrawal process. Some of the symptoms can be very physically taxing and therefore, a person may need medicinal support. It might also be necessary to be in the care of someone who can tell the difference between what is normal and what requires medical attention.

For these reasons, a medically supervised alcohol detox center is recommended.  It is important to only enroll in a licensed, certified and/or accredited alcohol detox center. These will be required to meet certain guidelines and therefore tend to be safer.  Alcohol detoxification shouldn’t take too long and in most cases, only a few days. 

After a person has successfully entered an alcohol detox center and completed the program, they will likely need to follow up with actual rehab. There are many available alcohol rehab facilities, many which were very good. The detoxification part of the recovery process is just the beginning. After a person has overcome the physical addiction, they will need to address the emotional and psychological parts of the addictions.  For many people, this is most difficult.

When a person has become physically dependent or addicted to a substance such as alcohol, their body will begin to crave it.  When they are not able to drink or when they attempt to quit they will often have severe withdrawal symptoms. It is important for persons to get past this when they are trying to get sober. If they do not, they will always have physical cravings that will make it hard to quit.  One option that a person with a severe alcohol addiction has is to go through alcohol detox.  Often times, this is an inpatient treatment facility which requires the individual to stay until the detoxification process is finished.

Alcohol detox program counselors will walk individuals seeking help through the detox process. They will explain to the patient what to expect and how long the process should take.  Being adequately informed should help him or her understand what their body will be experiencing so that they don’t panic or quit because they think something is terribly wrong.

Alcohol detox helps individuals deal with the vomiting, shakes, headaches, insomnia and restlessness that will likely to occur once they stopped drinking.  Convulsions are also common.  To help ease these, an alcohol detox center may offer the individual receiving treatment certain medications.  Anti-convulsion meds such as buprenophex and benzodiazepines are used quite often to help withdrawal symptoms. 

The amount of time that it takes for alcohol detox to be completed will depend on individual and how long they had been addicted to alcohol. However, anywhere between three days and two weeks is considered pretty standard.

After alcohol detox, a person will need to enter some type of rehabilitation program. Alcohol detox is not the end of the matter but instead is often just the beginning. A person has to learn how to avoid drinking again and will need to deal with any underlying issues that contribute to their alcoholism.

 An individual may need to enroll in a residential program if their addiction is severe or if they don’t feel like they will be able to continue with their sobriety if they go back home or into their regular environment. Outpatient treatment may be a good option for those whose addictions are moderate or just beginning to become problematic. These individuals may be able to follow up alcohol detox with some type of outpatient program.

In order for a person that suffers from alcoholic addiction to successfully stay sober after alcohol detox, it is important that they are ready to stop drinking. Understanding that they have a problem and that alcoholism is a disease is also imperative. Individuals must get rid of any alcohol that they have in their home and commit to no longer drinking. They also need to stay away from persons who refuse to stop drinking in their presence.  Counseling, rehab and a strong support system that includes people around the recovering alcoholic who want to see them do well and stay sober is also important.

Defining alcohol abuse can be a tricky thing. Most individuals are looking for a very straight forward definition. They would like to be able to equate a certain number of drinks consumed daily, with alcoholism. However, this doesn’t always provide a good or accurate picture of whether or not someone is an alcoholic. Depending on whom you ask and what you read, the definition of alcohol abuse may differ.  For our purposes we will define it as a combination of a number of factors including tolerance, craving, physical dependence and loss of control.

A person that has been abusing alcohol will build up a tolerance to it physically. Therefore, they will require more drinks to get the same high that they experienced in the past. 

A craving is simply a strong desire to drink. When a person has become physically dependent on alcohol they will experience physical or emotional symptoms when they stop drinking. Some common physical ones include anxiety, nausea, the shakes and excessive sweating. Loss of control means that an individual has a difficult time stopping drinking once they get started.

Now it is important to note that there is the difference between alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse.  Abuse may simply mean drinking too much or to excess but a person may not be addicted. However, they might.

Alcohol abuse, if not treated can easily turn into alcohol addiction which is considered a disease.  Persons who become alcoholics will crave alcohol as much as they do water and food.  They will drink despite the consequences and in spite of loves ones begging them not to. Alcohol abuse can run in families. Individuals may have seen their parents or a loved one consume high amounts of alcohol and then begin to imitate that behavior either as a youngster or as an adult. They may also inherit genes that make them more susceptible to alcohol abuse.

However, it is important for people to recognize that just because they may have inherited genes that increase their chances of abusing alcohol or addiction, does not mean that they have to become an alcoholic or stay one. There are many good alcohol rehab programs that will help persons overcome their addiction to alcohol or alcohol abuse. After that point, it will be necessary for them to make efforts to maintain their sobriety. Millions of people have done it and will do it in the future.

Often times, alcohol rehabilitation will include some type of counseling so that individuals can uncover the underlying issues for their drinking problems and come up with ways to decrease the likelihood that they will fall into previous traps or respond to triggers the same way that they had in the past with alcohol.

Alcohol abuse needs to be treated as soon as possible. Immediate treatment will save an individual, months or even years of pain (as well as their loved ones) and will decrease the physical damage done to the body. Therefore, the best time to get help is today.

ALCOHOLISM & DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT ALTERNATIVE

Alcohol abuse is not a disease!

Contrary to what other programs may have led you to believe, you are more than a “client” to be treated or labeled with a disease of alcohol abuse. You have choices, motivation and free will. Your future depends, not on the theories and opinions of alcohol abuse counselors and alcohol abuse doctors, but on that inner desire you have to be more than you are now.

What I have done is researched exactly what has worked for those who rid themselves of an alcohol abuse forever. I listened! What I found was a common theme that all these people used to end alcohol abuse and live the lives they always dreamed. It amazed me how simple these themes (or steps) were, and how readily available they were to utilize in our lives and end alcohol abuse.

Get out of your head

Establish meaning in your life

I explain these five-steps and how to use them in the ebook I created The Forgotten Five-Steps. Below you will find some excerpts on other topics and issues discussed. There are many theories about alcohol abuse. What I wanted to do is give actual and practical advice, steps and tools on exactly what can be done by those with an alcohol abuse and those who try to help resolve the alcohol abuse.

The EbookThe Forgotten Five-Steps

Alcohol Abuse alternative

These five simple and clear steps can guide you on the road to end alcohol abuse and live an alcohol abuse free and happy life.

The Forgotten-Five StepsAlcohol Abuse Recovery AlternativesDrug & Alcohol Abuse, Substance Abuse & Chemical Dependency RecoveryAlcohol abuse is a choice, not a disease!
www.recoverforever.com

www.addictionalternative.net

I also talk of many other issues surrounding alcohol abuse, what one can do to overcome alcohol abuse, and how those around him can help. Here are a few excerpts from the ebook about different alcohol abuse topics.

Codependency

“You are not sick, and caring is not a disease. Everyone struggles with difficult times in their lives and often these difficult times are caused by the behavior of someone close to you. No matter what you may have been told, the addict does not continue using alcohol or drugs because of something you said or did. You are not codependent and you cannot enable him/her to continue drinking or using drugs.”

Denial

“Those who abuse alcohol or drugs know exactly what they are doing, and I must say are damn good at it. They can deceive and manipulate about anyone to get their next fix.
The point here is that there is no denial, only what the addict is choosing to value. It’s difficult, but we have to put it in perspective to see the individual where they are at and where they want to be….it is what the addict is choosing to place importance on.”

Why can’t they quit?

“Until he realizes that addiction is a choice, he cannot regain control and ownership of his life.”

Self-esteem issues

“He must come to realize that his individual worth is not because he is “sober” but because he is alive.”

Relapse

“If he does “relapse” it is not because he has a disease, but because he chose to deal with his fear by avoidance.”

He wants to quit, but can’t seem to make it work

“So why can’t people quit drugs or alcohol when everything they say indicates they want to? Simply, they feel they cannot live life without it. They have made the wrong choices for so long and depended on their addictions as a crutch. To stop drinking or using drugs would strip them of the only constant they know:

The ability to control their fear and helplessness in a way they perceive as most effective for their particular situation.”

The Forgotten-Five StepsAlcohol Addiction Recovery AlternativesDrug & Alcohol Abuse, Substance Abuse & Chemical Dependency RecoveryAlcohol addiction is a choice, not a disease!
www.recoverforever.com

www.addictionalternative.net

Alcohol Addiction Alternative, Drug Addiction Recovery, Alcohol Addiction Counseling, Drug Addiction Counseling, Newark Ohio Addiction Help, Licking County Ohio Alcohol & Drug Addiction Help, Alcohol Recovery, Drug abuse Recovery Help

Individual drug and alcohol counseling for the Ohio Counties: Licking County Ohio – Knox County Ohio- Fairfield County – Perry County Ohio- Muskingum County – Coshocton County

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