Alcoholism is a fatal disorder...
Rrecovery from alcoholism can, does and is happening every day for millions of alcoholics
Much has been written and debated on this vital, life-saving phenomenon. As illustrated and documented on our alcoholism page, the cost and extent of the problem of alcoholism is staggering.
Recovery from alcoholism can be defined as the process whereby an alcoholic is actively participating in the necessary activities to abstain from drinking any alcohol, on an ongoing and continuing basis.
And most alcoholics either never get a chance to or are unsuccessful in keeping the disorder in remission. Recovery from alcoholism is a process that never ends. The process of recovery from alcoholism is rarely simple or easy.
There is more than one path to follow to achieve alcohol recovery. We are glad there are alternatives to the 12-step path as it does not necessarily work for everyone. Founded over 75 years ago, Bill Wilson started Alcoholics Anonymous. In a word, AA relies on group fellowship and a process of transformation via 12 activities known as the 12 steps. The end result is a spiritual awakening and a life of service.
AA and alcohol recovery, which means keeping alcoholism in remission, is a matter of willingness to change how they cope and deal with life.
The spiritual aspect of the 12-steps is vital. Not only does the person learn how to stop drinking they learn how to cope with life in a much more sane and responsible fashion.
There are many reasons why so many recovering alcoholics relapse;
- recovery requires a total commitment to the process
- recovery requires a tremendous amount of effort
- Alcoholism is a progressive disorder
- Alcoholism is cunning baffling and powerful
- The urge to drink can come back
- It requires a lot of changes
Detox - is the medical monitoring of the safe withdrawal of alcohol from the body. As long as there is any alcohol left in the body, the person will crave a drink to minimize the withdrawal symptoms.
- Professional assessment and evaluation
- Determine the right level of rehabilitation
- Find and enroll in the right, best drug rehab available
- Attend and fully participate in initial rehab program
- Plan, enroll and participate in a continuing plan of rehabilitation
- Find NA or other 12-step meetings and do a meeting every day for 90 straight days
- Work the 12-steps and make staying sober their #1 priority
- The first step is the alcoholic should admit they have a problem and become willing to take action to address the problem.
- Lots of willingness is a very important element to alcoholism recovery. Unless or until the alcoholic is willing to put in the effort and make a significant amount of changes, their chances for success are limited.
An evaluation and assessment will help determines what level of rehab is recommended and identify some of the issues which should be addressed there.
Finding the right best rehab program requires verification of the individual's health insurance. It will decide where they can go and for how long. Without insurance the person is faced with either paying out of pocket or enlisting the aid of some form of state or charity funded facility.
Participation goes along with willingness. If the person is in a full-time residential program, they will need to put their live on hold while they are there. The standard 28 day program is like going to school, with both therapeutic and educational components.
Once the initial stage of rehab is completed, the process has just begun. Alcoholism recovery is a life-long commitment to a new lifestyle. A continuing planning of the next stages may include living in a sober or half-way house arrangement for up to a year. Most plans are for a lower level of rehab, such as an outpatient program.
Although most rehabs initiate their clients to the 12-steps, the addict needs to become a member of AA. The 12-steps have proven themselves to be the most effective and successful path to long term recovery.
Staying clean for a lifetime is not simple or easy. Many alcoholics have managed to stay sober for some period of time and then relapse (use). It is not uncommon for this to happen. The final leg of successful addiction recovery requires a firm commitment to attending 12-step meetings and working their program to the best of the person's ability.
