Alcohol dependence is too much consumption of alcohol done in a regular basis. It is also called alcohol abuse or alcoholism. People with alcohol problems should seek proper treatments to avoid further damage caused by alcohol addiction.
Treatment Function
Treatment plans aim to let patient understand the reason of their excessive drinking and to know the techniques to stop alcoholism. If the person can manage his drinking needs, education on how to stop drinking is the only therapy required. If the patient can't stop drinking and shows symptoms of withdrawal when alcohol is withheld, he needs to have detoxification and rehabilitation.
Treatment Needs
When an individual already feels guilty every time he has too much drink, cannot control the cravings toward alcohol, drinks too much in the morning and gets mad every time someone notes his habit of drinking, the person already requires treatment. People with alcoholism often deny that they have a problem with alcohol. Patients who have realized the consequences of their addiction should immediately seek therapy. Patients who undergo immediate treatment have higher chances of recovery.
Treatment Beginning
Detoxification is the first step to alcohol recovery. It last from four to seven days of treatment. Detoxification helps to completely remove alcohol in the body. This process requires close medical intervention and monitoring. Withdrawal symptoms that should be assessed are confusion, shaking, and hallucinations. These 3 symptoms are often called delirium tremens. Delirium tremens could be very dangerous and could even cause death. During detoxification process, clients are assessed in a 24-hour basis for safety purposes.
Treatment Types
After detoxifications, the client is ready for alcohol treatment programs. Alcohol rehabilitation includes pharmacotherapy, behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, psychological therapy, family therapy and support groups. Medicines used in alcohol treatment are naltrexone and disulfiram. Naltrexone reduces alcohol cravings by blocking the addictive effects of alcohol. Disulfiram helps stop alcohol consumption by creating a very undesirable feeling to the abuser if he consumes alcohol. Patients with severe cases of alcoholism may be admitted in a residential treatment center or a live-in facility for closer monitoring and treatment.
Selecting Treatment
Selecting the most appropriate alcohol treatment programs that will suit the needs of patients is not an easy task. There are many treatment options to choose from. You could be admitted in an inpatient, outpatient or residential facility depending on your case. The length of the therapy, insurance coverage, certification of the treatment facility, the services offered in the treatment facility and the competency of the staff and healthcare providers must also be considered.
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Ericka Lopez is an experienced author on topics related to alcohol rehabilitation centers in Colorado Springs, for more information click http://www.treatmentcentersdirectory.com/Texas/Laredo/
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