Categories
Alcohol Addiction

What to Expect from Alcohol Addiction Rehab

If you are struggling with alcohol addiction and you realize you need help with your addiction, you need to take steps to recover and achieve sobriety. Your recovery journey from alcohol addiction begins with detox.

From there, you’ll start your addiction treatment, which usually requires you to enrol in a rehab program. Following treatment, you’ll continue with after-care therapies and support groups to help you stay on the right path.

The above is only a quick summary of what alcohol addiction rehab entails. In this article, you will learn everything about what to expect from alcohol rehab. At its end, you will have answers to every question you have about alcohol addiction treatment.

Am I Addicted to Alcohol?

Many people struggling with alcohol addiction hardly know they are addicted to the substance. When you become addicted to alcohol, it eventually leads to a chronic disease known as alcohol use disorder. At this point, you are dependent on the substance and won’t function properly without it.

There is no single known cause for alcohol addiction. Behavioural, psychological, and genetic factors can contribute to it. When you become addicted to alcohol, it alters your brain and neurochemistry. Hence, you may become unable to control your actions.

There are many ways to tell if you are addicted to alcohol. You may exhibit one or all of these symptoms:

  • Drink alcohol frequently and in increased amounts.
  • Become highly tolerant of alcohol or lack of hangover symptoms.
  • Drink alcohol at inappropriate times or places.
  • Always visit locations where alcohol is available.
  • Damaged relationships with friends and loved ones.
  • Become dependent on alcohol to function properly.
  • Hide alcohol from your loved ones or superiors.
  • Increased lethargy, depression, or emotional stress.
  • Problems at work.
  • Legal problems.

Continued alcohol use may lead to a slew of medical problems like:

  • Ulcers
  • Sexual issues
  • Congenital disabilities
  • Vision problems
  • Increased risks of cancer
  • Diabetes complications
  • Bone loss
  • Suppressed immune function

If you are addicted to alcohol, you may also put others at risk. Drunk people may showcase violent behaviours, drive under the influence, become suicidal or homicidal, among others. To avoid these and many other complications, you should treat your alcohol addiction.

relation issues

Treatment Procedure for Alcohol Addiction: What Happens at Rehab

Many people struggling with alcohol addiction are hesitant to seek addiction treatment. They hear myths about the procedure and withdrawal symptoms they may experience and grow cold feet. However, this should not be the case.

You should seek information about alcohol addiction treatment instead of dwelling on hearsay. This article will show you there is no need to fear what happens during alcohol rehab.

Alcohol treatment begins from the moment you realize you need help with your addiction. No matter the number of people trying to talk you out of your addictive behaviours, only you have the final say and can decide you need help. Only when you come to this realization yourself will you be motivated to take the necessary steps to your recovery.

The next step is to enrol in an alcohol addiction treatment center. At the center, medical professionals will examine you to get some vital information. After the assessment, you will proceed to detox. After detox, you will take part in multiple therapies and treatments. After your treatment, you will also engage in post-recovery therapies and counselling to keep you on the sobriety path.

People ask “How long does alcohol rehab take?” Rehab usually takes between 28 to 30 days. Sometimes, it can take 60 or 90 days. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends a 90-day treatment program for addiction patients.

Check-In and Assessment

Once you check in to an alcohol rehab center, the rehab’s staff will interview you to find out more about you. The assessment is necessary because they need to know the nature of your substance abuse. They also need to know if you have co-occurring conditions.

The answers you provide will help the rehab center customize a treatment plan for you. The answers you provide will also influence what to expect from alcohol addiction rehab.

This is because every person will have a unique treatment plan customized for them. Even though the ultimate goal is to recover from addiction and attain sobriety, your alcohol rehab plan will differ from another patient’s.

Detox

After your assessment, you will undergo detoxification. Detox is aimed at getting rid of all the traces of alcohol in your body after long-term use and abuse. This stage of alcohol addiction recovery is critical and may be difficult for some persons. However, it’s necessary because your body can’t cleanse itself of the traces of alcohol without it. Without detox, you are not mentally and physically ready for alcohol addiction rehab.

Detox prepares you for what to expect from alcohol rehab. Everyone’s experience with detox is different. Your experience depends on the type of alcohol you consumed, the quantity consumed and the duration of use. Based on these factors, detox can last from a day to two weeks. More severe cases can last for a few months.

During detox, you may experience some withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts to the absence of alcohol. These symptoms can range in intensity from mild to life-threatening. Most times, the severity and duration of your alcohol use play a role in the kind of withdrawal symptoms you will experience.

The mild symptoms of alcohol detox are:

  • Anxiety
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Sweating

More serious withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Seizures
  • Tremors
  • Disorientation
  • Extreme hallucinations
  • Delirium tremens (rarely occurs)

Delirium tremens is not common, but it is the most serious symptom of alcohol withdrawal and detox. You may experience it within two to five days after your last consumption of alcohol. Delirium tremens can cause death. However, it is rare for people to develop it after quitting alcohol.

Because of the severe nature of some alcohol withdrawal symptoms, medical professionals must be on hand. Hence, what to expect from alcohol rehab at this stage is you being surrounded by health professionals. They are monitoring your reactions and taking note of any sudden symptoms. This way, you get all the help you need immediately.

If you develop symptoms in alcohol rehab, you may be given medications to treat them. These medications include benzodiazepines, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.

Benzodiazepines are for treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the detox phase. Naltrexone helps reduce your alcohol cravings. Acamprosate helps your brain to function normally again after quitting alcohol. On the other hand, disulfiram acts by producing severe reactions if you consume alcohol.

Related Article: Medical Detox Cost in Canada

detox alcohol addiction

Alcohol Rehab Programs

After the detox stage of your alcohol addiction treatment, the next phase is the rehab stage. There are two alcohol rehab programs. These are inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab.

In inpatient rehab, you will live inside a hospital or rehab center. In the center, you will have round-the-clock medical care and attention. You will partake in several activities aimed at steadily pushing you towards recovery.

In outpatient rehab, you don’t stay in a rehab center or facility. Instead, you’ll receive treatment for your addiction while continuing with your daily activities. Outpatient rehab usually entails regular appointments with a healthcare professional or therapist. You’ll also partake in counselling sessions, individual and group therapies.

These alcohol rehab programs also differ from each other in cost. You will pay more for inpatient rehab than for outpatient rehab. Inpatient rehabs require multiple trained and experienced medical staff. Inpatient rehabs also offer more services than outpatient rehabs. These factors contribute to its cost.

However, if you are suffering from severe alcohol dependency or are a long-term alcohol user, you should enrol in inpatient rehab. You may experience more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms and will need more medical care and attention. Outpatient rehabs are recommended for people with mild withdrawal symptoms.

Rehab therapy and treatments

Therapies are a major part of what to expect from alcohol rehab. After detox, your rehab treatment begins, whether in an inpatient or outpatient rehab center. You will undergo various kinds of therapies during your treatment and recovery process. These therapies help your cravings for alcohol, prevent relapse, and maintain a sober lifestyle.

The therapies you will undergo include:

Individual Therapy

In individual therapy, a medical professional will work with you privately. There will be one-on-one sessions to reflect on your addiction and how it has affected your lifestyle. During these therapeutic sessions, you will gradually find healing and reconnect with your true self.

During these sessions, your therapist will also identify the factors triggering your addiction. This is an important aspect of what to expect from alcohol rehab. After identifying these triggers, your therapist will teach you how to deal with or get rid of them healthily.

The therapist will also fashion out the right kind of therapy suitable for you. There are different forms of therapies, but behavioural therapies are effective in dealing with alcohol addiction.

During alcohol addiction rehab,  different therapy forms you may undergo include:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy
  • Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy
  • Motivational enhancement therapy.
  • Dialectical behaviour therapy
  • Interpersonal therapy
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Experiential therapy
  • Holistic therapy.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

It helps in unearthing the thoughts or feelings that cause you to indulge in alcohol abuse and addiction. It eventually reduces your chances of relapsing during and after treatment.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy

This therapy accounts for trauma and its impact on behaviours. It helps you connect your trauma with your behaviour. Therefore, you can break the link between trauma and your alcohol consumption behaviour.

Motivational enhancement therapy

In this form of therapy, you’ll learn how to change some behaviours or negative thoughts linked to your addiction. Motivational enhancement therapy is usually used for treating patients with co-occurring conditions.

Dialectical behaviour therapy

This is another therapy recommended for people with dual diagnoses. With it, you’ll learn ways to deal with your alcoholism and co-occurring disorder through motivational enhancement and behavioural skills.

Interpersonal therapy

It helps you build a social network and other support structures that can help you deal with loneliness, negative thoughts, and other things that increase addictive behaviours. This therapy aims to strengthen your resolve to remain sober.

alcohol group therapy

Psychodynamic therapy

What to expect from alcohol rehab when it comes to psychodynamic therapy is the exploration of your emotions. This therapy form helps you uncover subconscious thoughts connected to your addiction.

If you can identify these thoughts, you can determine the underlying cause of your addiction. Psychodynamic therapy also helps you avoid situations that can cause relapse.

Experiential therapy

This therapy uses non-traditional treatment methods to help alcohol addiction patients overcome repressed emotions and feelings.

Holistic therapy

It is a therapy form that focuses on an addiction patient’s overall wellbeing. Besides your overall well-being, it also treats physical withdrawal symptoms. Some examples of this therapy are yoga, meditation, art therapy, and acupuncture.

Marriage or Family Therapy

If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s likely your family is also affected. An important aspect of what to expect from alcohol rehab is family counselling.

During family counselling, your family members, who may be aggrieved with your behaviours, can air their grievances. Besides airing grievances, they also get to know how they may have contributed to your addiction with their actions or inactions.

This kind of therapy can become an emotional rollercoaster but tends to serve a good purpose in the end. It is also key to your healing, recovery, and sustained growth after alcohol addiction rehab. Your family members or spouse will learn how best to support you going forward. You will also have strength, knowing you have your loved ones solidly behind you.

Planning for Post-Recovery Treatment

One important part of what to expect from alcohol rehab is that it prepares you for life after treatment. It does this by educating you about things you should note as you return to a normal life after treatment.

This part of rehab is important because transiting from rehab to your everyday life can be topsy turvy. However, if you already know what to expect ahead of time, it becomes easier to navigate.

During post-recovery sessions, you’ll learn the community resources and groups where you can find support. Besides support, these groups serve as motivation and offer some sort of coping mechanism to help you avoid relapse after addiction recovery.

You should join support groups after your alcohol addiction treatment. These groups are important because they help you stay on the recovery path. In these groups, you will meet individuals who have experiences similar to yours. These shared experiences and other people’s success stories after addiction recovery help you stay sober,

Alcohol addiction recovery support groups include:

  • 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous
  • SMART Recovery
  • Al-Anon

Besides these support groups, you should also partake in follow-up therapy and counselling. Go for medical evaluations, take up new healthy hobbies that boost your wellbeing and keep you away from the bottle.

Tips to Ensure a Successful Rehab Program

Knowing what to expect from alcohol rehab is good. What is even better is having a successful rehab. The rehab center plays a role in helping you achieve recovery, but you have a bigger part to play.

Here are some things you can do to make your alcohol rehab effective:

Stay focused on little goals

Don’t overwhelm yourself with huge goals during your recovery process. Instead, start with the small goals you can achieve and gradually move up to bigger goals. These small goals help you stay focused on the bigger goals and encourage you on your journey.

Have a supportive network

While in an alcohol addiction rehab center, you will develop new relationships. These relationships can be with other patients, your therapist, counsellors, and other medical staff. These new friends will become your support network during and after rehab. You can get insights, resources, and tools from them, which keep you on the recovery path.

Your family and close friends are also part of your support network. They are always there for you when you need someone to speak to about troubling situations. While building a supportive network, keep away from relationships that will lead you back into alcohol addiction.

Hold on to something that motivates you

During rehab, what to expect at an alcohol treatment center is not complete without discussing feelings of tiredness and wanting to give up. It is good to have a motivating factor to hold on to at such times.

It can be a picture of your family, a lifelong memory, or your vow to yourself. Whatever it is, it should encourage you to stay on your path to sobriety and achieve your goals.

Don’t think it will be an easy ride

A bumpy ride is a part of what to expect from alcohol rehab. Hence, you will encounter setbacks during your journey. When this happens, don’t become moody and look to give up. Instead, pick yourself up and remember what your end goal is.

Take part in all alcohol addiction rehab activities

During rehab, you should partake in the rehab center’s activities. These activities will help you attain sobriety and a healthy lifestyle. You’ll also continue with the things you learn in rehab after your treatment. If you don’t take part in these activities, you risk relapsing soon after treatment, which is not good enough.

Continue with treatment after rehab

After your alcohol addiction rehab, don’t think your battle with addiction is over. You should continue your treatment by joining support groups, going for counselling sessions and therapies.

These activities will keep you sober and prevent relapse or alcohol triggers. You should also make new friends that help you stay sober and do away with those who lead you into alcoholism.

How Do I Choose a Good Rehab Program?

A good rehab program is key to a successful recovery. If you enrol in a rehab center that does not do a thorough job with its treatment techniques, you may find yourself going back to your old ways sooner than later. Though you have a bigger role to play in your journey to sobriety, the right kind of addiction treatment center will make things easier.

Here are some things to consider before choosing a rehab center:

  • Does it have a license?
  • Does it have trained and professional staff?
  • Does it offer counselling and medical services?
  • Does it offer aftercare services?
  • What will it do to prevent a relapse?
  • Is it affordable?
  • Does it accept my insurance coverage?
  • Does it have good reviews and success stories?

If the rehab center you are considering answers these questions satisfactorily, then you should go for it. However, if you feel it is not good enough, you should seek better options. If you have little confidence in a facility, you may not take your treatment seriously. This defeats the purpose of alcohol rehab treatment.

Related Article: How to Choose Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab

Conclusion

Alcohol recovery is not as complicated as mainstream media makes it seem. As long as you choose the best rehab centre, they have the experience and expertise to make it easier for you. More importantly, the results — sobriety — are well worth it.

Here at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, our specialists will develop a treatment plan for you based on your exact needs. Contact us today to learn more about our alcohol rehab programs.

Categories
Alcohol Addiction

The Cost of Alcohol Rehab Programs in Canada

The cost of alcohol rehab is a commonly asked question these days. The reason is simple. There is an increasingly growing volume of heavy alcohol drinkers in Canada. According to Statista, about 19.1 percent of consumers above 12 years are “heavy drinkers”. This is tantamount to addiction.

While there is a treasure trove of information online, including this, you can’t get better without action. Just consuming information is not enough to get you off alcohol addiction. If you’ll get better; if this article will fulfill its purpose, your taking action is the required premise.

It’s not enough to know everything about alcohol addiction without taking action. Hence, as you go through this article that adequately details the cost of alcohol rehab programs, you should have your mindset to take action immediately.

What Does an Alcohol Rehab Program Entail?

The cost of alcohol rehab varies from one facility to the other. This is due to several factors the later part of this article will explore. However, the concept of alcohol rehabilitation remains the same – to help alcohol addicts go back to leading a normal life. This sounds easier than done.

Addiction can be powerful. It happens at a level that seems to override the will of the individual in question. This is simply due to the dependence of the brain on alcohol to derive satisfaction and happiness that results from dopamine release.

It’s a vicious cycle from “just one sip” to getting addicted, trying to withdraw, then back to relapse. If you are trying to undergo withdrawal by yourself, this is most likely the reality. Hence, it’s better to subject yourself to an alcohol rehab program. The reason for this is simple — you will be in the care of a professional, in a controlled environment, with easy access to treatment.

Alcohol rehab programs are designed to help stop dependence on the use of alcohol. Alcohol addicts, like other addicts, always feel like they can’t do without the substance. This is not true.

Generally, addicts, of whatever substance, don’t always acknowledge their condition. They’ll claim that they aren’t addicted to the substance, and they can stop whenever they feel like it. For the most part, this is untrue. They find themselves unable to stop.

And for those that finally acknowledge their condition, there is a characteristic sombreness that follows. Even while the addicts experience this sadness, they still find it near impossible to stop craving the substance.

This is where alcohol rehab programs come in. All of these institutions have a basic activity template, irrespective of the pricing for alcohol rehab programs they put forward.

The very first process is to check you in. you go through an interview, which helps the experts assess your case A consultation with the doctor in-charge will do this. It will also help the facility customize your alcohol addiction treatment journey. This when the duration of your stay will also be put into consideration. Typically, the alcohol addiction program should take between 30 to 90 days.

Though, for the most part, addiction recovery is always a life-long journey of sobriety. But when you put in the work, you can get the help you need on time and start the journey back to normalcy.

Alcohol Detoxification

Upon completion of the check-in consultation, you’ll go through detoxification. Detox is the process whereby your body is rid of the alcohol substance.

The substances accumulate in the body after long use, which builds dependence. The purpose of this detoxification is to make withdrawal smoother and less painful. According to WebMD, this period always comes with symptoms like anxiety, headache, vomiting, shaky hands, nausea, sweating, and insomnia).

There is no fixed experience attributed to detoxification. This difference in experience varies greatly with the intensity of alcohol abuse. As such, you shouldn’t try to achieve detox yourself.

Even if you know the prescription of your friend with alcohol addiction, you shouldn’t self-medicate. Detox is best-done by a professional, in a controlled environment.

After detoxification, therapy follows. There are different therapies that specialists administer to different persons. People have peculiarities. Hence, you shouldn’t compare your treatment to another person.

Also, a specialist may decide to change your therapy based on the real-time realities of your condition. While this influences the cost of alcohol rehab, it’s totally necessary. If you aren’t responding well to a particular therapy, the specialist can decide to make changes.

life or addiction

The need for support during alcohol rehab

Like every form of therapy, support is very important. You have to open up about your condition to your family and friends. Without them, it may be difficult to scale through the process.

During recovery treatment, you can either be an outpatient or an inpatient. If you are an outpatient (a patient who isn’t admitted into the facility), you need support from family and friends to prevent a relapse.

As an inpatient (a patient admitted into the facility), you’ll need support from family and friends. During the period of your stay in the facility, you’ll probably not be working. To clear bills and ensure your mental wellbeing, you’ll need the support of family and friends. Although as an inpatient, you’ll also enjoy support from the staff of the facility.

Hence, once you have decided to get treatment, you must be ready to rely on others. You must prepare your mind to effectively communicate with others.

Related Article: The Cost of Meth Addiction and Other Substance Abuse Rehab in Toronto

The Types of Alcohol Rehab Program and How it Affects Cost

There are different alcohol rehab facilities out there. These institutions leverage different types of treatment — a fact responsible for the differences in the cost of alcohol rehab.

Traditional Addiction Treatment

This type of treatment for alcohol addiction has been in practice for about eighty years — since the 1940s. It’s an effective program that has seen thousands of people recover since its existence. You can either be an inpatient or an outpatient in this program.

In this program, you get a mentor who will monitor your journey back to normalcy. There are bound to be highs and low; moments you will enjoy or get frustrated at the program.

But, you have to console yourself with the fact that you aren’t the only one with alcohol addiction. There is no better good you can do for yourself at the moment than recovery.

Holistic Addiction Treatment

This is a thorough treatment process that doesn’t hold back on whatever process is needed to get you completely whole. The strategies of holistic addiction treatment tackle both your emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental issues relating to addiction.

There are several of these therapies. They may seem minor, but when you diligently follow through, you are on the path to recovery. These include; cinema therapy, shopping therapy, art therapy and cooking therapy. These different activity therapies have the aim of taking your mind and subconscious off the craving for alcohol.

You don’t have to go through all the therapies. You simply need to choose the one that works for you. Based on the therapy you choose, how much to pay for alcohol rehab programs varies.

The 12 step Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs

While there are different types of luxurious and affordable alcohol rehab programs out there, the principles are the same. The approaches may be different, but they are looking to achieve the same result.

These different treatment options are necessary to prevent increasing cases of health hazards that result from alcohol. With 1.3 million Canadians estimated to be suffering from alcohol addiction, doubling down on treatment is the right to do. If you are looking to exclude yourself from the statistics of addicts, you need to know these steps by heart.

  • You should admit that you are powerless against addiction. Only when you stop lying to yourself that you can stop whenever you want, can you start to recover.
  • You should take a personal inventory
  • You should not be shy in admitting your wrongdoings to the authority, yourself, and loved ones
  • You should be willing to go through corrections by the authority
  • You should earnestly seek the help of the authority in removing the shortcomings
  • Knowing your wrongdoings to others, and being willing to make a change
  • Contacting those your addiction may have negatively affected and apologizing
  • Ensuring a continuous personal inventory
  • Earnestly pursuing enlightenment and connection to the authority
  • Being ready to help other in similar situation realize the 12 steps.

What is the Cost of Alcohol Rehab?

Many people always ask if the cost of alcohol rehab is worth it. We think that’s a question that shouldn’t be asked. Not only does alcohol addiction pose terrible health risks, but it also leaves the victims a shadow of themselves.

If you don’t take care, it can affect other areas of your life drastically. This is why “how much is alcohol rehab” is the right question to ask.

It is hard to give a hard figure to the cost of alcohol rehab. This is due to the several factors that come to play in the process. However, on a general basis, below is a breakdown to expect.

  • For a 30 days drug detox; you’ll spend between $250 and $800 per day. This range considers the various influencing factors that we talk about in the next section.
  • For 3 months of outpatient care, the cost of alcohol rehab spans between $1400 and $10,000.
  • A 30 days intensive outpatient program costs anywhere between $3000 and $10000.
  •  For the resident, inpatient, programs, the cost of alcohol rehab can rise to between $5000 and $80,000.

You should note that these price ranges aren’t set in stone. It is still possible that you may find more affordable treatments. These are standard pricing for alcohol rehab programs that takes into account the provision of basic amenities.

You can also always get recommendations from family members, friends, or colleagues who got similar treatment. This will help you narrow your search for standard alcohol rehab facilities.

Hand holding a paper sheet with no alcohol sign over a crowded street background. Stop to drink symbol prohibited icon. Refuse to be dependent.

Factors that determine the Cost of Alcohol Rehab in Canada

Several factors influence the cost of alcohol rehab in Canada. The shifts may not be exceptionally significant, but these price variations add up. If you are looking to get an affordable alcohol rehab program, you need to consider the following.

The Type of Program

As we explain earlier in this article, there are different types of alcohol recovery treatment. The difference in treatment process requirements and needs influence the cost. Hence, you need to be aware of the type of program that fits your budget.

Furthermore, different treatment programs come with differing benefits. Hence, you need to be clear on what you are getting from the facility. You shouldn’t jump at a facility because you know someone there. Carry out due diligence to know if their alcohol rehab programs will suit you.

How long the treatment will be

This is another important factor to consider. Above, the template of pricing we provided is mostly for 30-day programs. Frequently, there may be a need for treatment extension, which attracts extra cost.

The duration of the treatment, however, tracks back to how responsive you are to treatment. Since you have no control over how well you respond, it’s left to the specialist to place you on the right treatment from the get-go.

Addiction treatment is a lifelong commitment, which requires you to spend money, no matter how small it is. For instance, if you are leveraging cooking therapy to fight your alcohol cravings, you’ll need to spend money on food ingredients. The longer the therapy takes, the more money you get to spend.

Location

The location also plays a great difference. Generally, hospitals and facilities situated in the countryside will cost way less than those in the cities. Hence, you should check for the best locations.

Also, you don’t want to choose a location that’s too far from you. Whether you’re going in for inpatient or outpatient alcohol rehab, a distant location means you’ll be spending more time and energy. Because you’ll be visiting the specialist frequently, you’ll need somewhere close to home.

Amenities

This is one of the major differences between rehab centers, even if they offer the same process for alcohol addiction recovery. The better the amenities available at the treatment facility, the more the cost you will incur.

For instance, some facilities have sports arenas, cinemas and gyms. These are facilities that can give patients an enjoyable experience. However, all these culminate in an increased cost of using the alcohol rehab center.

 Insurance

Alcohol addiction is a health issue. Hence, insurance is an important factor to consider. While the government enacts several policies to help citizens, it won’t take on the whole cost of treatment. Though, UVIC reports that Canada isn’t doing enough as regards alcohol rehab policies, unlike America.

For this reason, individuals shouldn’t rely so much on government policies to subsidize alcohol addiction treatment. This is where personal insurance comes to play.

You can also insure your health, which will provide you with full or partial financial support during treatment. For instance, some insurance companies may cover 3- days of treatment, while others may cover more.

The insurance you have can also influence the treatment quality and type you receive. It determines what you get as the client. Do your due diligence to know everything about your insurance company as regards rehab. If you won’t be getting any insurance coverage, you’ll be spending more money on alcohol rehab.

 Inpatient or Outpatient

These are also important influences to note. If you will be living in the facility, it will cost you more. For chronic alcoholics, inpatient treatments are the best. This is to monitor withdrawal (which will have intensive symptoms), triggers and provide more effective therapy.

Outpatient treatment, generally, costs less, but it is less effective. For chronic consumers, continuing to live in an uncontrolled environment results in frequent relapses. This in turn will add to the cost of alcohol rehab.

Medications

Different patients require different drugs and medications during alcohol rehab. Hence, depending on your peculiarity, the cost of your drugs may be different from that of others. Also, the more chronic your addiction is, the more medication you’ll probably need.

Related Article: Heroin Addiction Treatment Cost in Canada

Final Take

The cost of alcohol rehab differs from place to place and from specialist to specialist. However, whatever the pricing may be, it’s all worth it in the long run. Alcohol addiction can be terrible. The negative effects can spiral if they are not brought under control soon.

Not only does it leave you feeling terrible about yourself. But alcohol addiction can also make you pick up terrible habits like stealing to afford another bottle. Alcohol addiction can also cause work-related issues for victims.

When these problems pile up, it makes the addiction more difficult to curb. This can lead to co-occurring conditions like depression. At this stage, the tendency of the vicious cycle – of alcoholism and depression – stopping is near zero. Though treatment will also remain possible, it becomes three times harder.

This is why you need to leverage alcohol rehab programs in the Greater Toronto Area. Here at 1000 Islands Rehab Centre, you will have access to facilities and experts that are ready to help and get you back in shape. Whatever the cost you have to incur, it’s all going to be worth it in the long run. Get help now!

Categories
Alcohol Addiction

What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse, Dependence And Addiction?

What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse, Dependence And Addiction?

The use of alcohol is not only socially acceptable but expected. If you have a hard day at work, you wind down by going home or to a bar and having a beer. Birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated with champagne, and expensive wine is considered to be a staple at fancy dinner parties. People who drink a little too much are thought of as “fun”, and we mock those who refuse to drink at all.

Alcohol Abuse, Dependence And AddictionWe have normalized alcohol consumption to the point that alcohol abuse is difficult to recognize in ourselves or in others. So while we may think that we’re just always up for having a good time, we may actually be developing alcohol abuse and dependence issues. When we become so used to seeing our neighbour with a beer that we don’t even notice it, they might already be an alcoholic without even realizing it.

What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse?

So if it’s that difficult to even know when you or someone else has a problem, what are you supposed to do? How and when does it eventually become obvious that your alcohol consumption has gone beyond the realm of what is “normal”?

There are some signs of alcohol abuse that you can look out for. Fortunately, some of these can be caught early.

You often drink more than you intended to

If you find yourself frequently uttering the words, “One more can’t hurt”, you may need to take stock of how much alcohol you are consuming. Most people are able to attend a social gathering and limit themselves to one or two drinks. Even those who would usually have a glass of wine at a dinner party find it easy to abstain if they are the designated driver. You may be starting to toe the line of alcohol abuse if you want to say no to that extra beer but find that you just cannot resist, or if hasty arrangements have to be made for an alternate driver.

You drink to recover from a stressful day

There is nothing wrong with kicking back with a glass of wine after a long day, but if this becomes your primary means of dealing with stress, you may be treading in dangerous territory. Not only are you increasing your reliance on alcohol, but the underlying source of your stress is also going unresolved. If you recognize that you are in this situation, you can take immediate action by seeking healthier ways to handle stress, possibly with the help of a therapist.

You end up in dangerous situations when you’ve been drinking

The problem with being drunk is that you are often in denial about being drunk. So you may engage in risky behaviour, either believing that it is safe or not care that it isn’t. A lot of impaired driving incidents happen as a result of someone insisting that they are “fine to drive”. If your job requires you to operate dangerous machinery, you may persist in this after you’ve had a few drinks over lunch. Also, another sign of alcohol abuse is if Friday and Saturday nights are rife with fistfights and unsafe drunk sexual encounters.

You intentionally seek out activities that involve alcohol

Some people are able to maintain their interests if they can find a way to combine these interests with drinking. For example, you may develop a sudden interest in the 19th hole at the golf course, or you may start serving wine at the book club meetings you host. Other people will simply abandon their previous interests. Instead of going walking on the beach, they will stay home so they can drink. They will gradually fade away from the team sport they participated in; their kids may start to have more sleepovers at Grandma’s house. It’s the little things that point to alcohol abuse.

Your health is starting to decline

This happens for two reasons. First, as people increase their consumption of alcohol, they tend to neglect aspects of health and wellness, like nutrition and exercise. And second, the alcohol itself can cause damage to the liver and increase the heart rate and blood pressure. If you drink alcohol regularly, and you have a general sense of feeling run-down, you may need to put a pause on your alcohol consumption.

You tell yourself that you need to stop drinking

Even if you don’t fully recognize that you have a problem, something may make you aware of the extent of your consumption. You may look at the empty bottles in your kitchen and get a shock. Or you may be going over your bank accounts and see a lot of transactions at the liquor outlet. If you are saying to yourself, “Maybe I should cut down on the drinking”, you may need to stop and think about whether that is actually true.

Related article: Be in the Know: Canada’s Latest Alcohol Addiction and Recovery Facts

What Are Alcohol Dependence And Alcohol Addiction?

If you are abusing alcohol regularly over a prolonged period of time, you can become dependent on alcohol. This means that you no longer merely enjoy a drink: you actually need it in order to function. If you deprive yourself of it, you start to experience withdrawal symptoms that can be uncomfortable. Once you become addicted, alcohol is no longer just a part of your life. It is your whole life. Once you reach this point, withdrawal can be almost impossible; in some cases, it can be life-threatening.

Common signs of alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence manifests differently for everyone, but some of the more common signs include the following:

signs of alcohol dependence

  • You need to have a drink as soon as you wake up
  • You routinely deal with hangovers by having another drink
  • You frequently call in sick to work or school
  • You cancel plans with friends at the last minute
  • You experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking

Common Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction affects everyone differently depending on factors like age, state of health, and whether alcohol is consumed with other substances. Common signs of addiction include the following:

  • You regularly consume alcohol while at work, or while you are driving
  • You disguise your alcohol – for example, by pouring it into a commuter coffee mug
  • You use money intended for bills and living expenses to purchase alcohol
  • You hide your alcohol consumption from friends and family members
  • You continue to use alcohol in spite of deteriorating relationships
  • You continue to use alcohol in spite of deteriorating physical or mental health
  • You buy alcohol from multiple locations in order to avoid suspicion
  • You use alcohol, even when you know it could result in you being in an unsafe situation

Symptoms Of Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol addiction is one of the most difficult substance use disorders to combat. Mostly, this is because the use of alcohol is not only socially acceptable, but in some cases, socially expected. We live in a world where celebrations revolve around glasses of sparkling wine and people fill up their refrigerators with beer before “watching the game on TV”. Those who refuse alcohol at parties are greeted with reactions ranging from mild surprise to mockery and insults. For some, a standard response to alcohol withdrawal symptoms – which may feel like a bad hangover – is to simply drink more alcohol.

All of this contributes to alcohol being the most widely abused substance in the world, and for alcoholism being the addiction that people are least likely to seek help for. Loved ones may not be in a position to help, simply because it can take a long time for them to realize that there is a problem.

Our lax social attitude toward alcohol use is accompanied by the belief held by many that overcoming alcohol addiction is simply a case of not having another drink. There are two major pitfalls to this plan: first, people who try to quit any substance without help are far more likely to give in to cravings and start using the substance again, and second, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be extremely dangerous – in some cases, fatal.

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is the name given to the collection of symptoms that can occur when the body is deprived of alcohol — to which it has become accustomed. AWS typically starts several hours after the last drink and can go on for about a week. Symptoms include physical effects such as headaches and nausea, and mental effects like anxiety.

What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

Alcohol addiction starts with tolerance. If someone who has never consumed alcohol has a glass of wine, it can have a tremendous impact on them. They might feel sick or get sleepy; a shy person may become outgoing; someone who is cautious might take risks. 

If that person has a glass of wine each day, in time they will get used to it. And in order to achieve the same effects, they have to drink more. The body becomes tolerant to increasing amounts of alcohol, to the point where the tolerance becomes a dependence. 

What this means is that the body does not merely tolerate the alcohol, it relies on it. And if it is suddenly deprived, it cannot cope, and withdrawal symptoms set in. The person will start to feel ill, and anxiety will set in if alcohol is not available.

Common Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

The first few hours

Six to twelve hours after the person has their last drink, the initial impacts of withdrawal will be felt. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms during this phase include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • A mild feeling of the jitters
  • Agitation and anxiety that may be amplified if no alcohol is available

The first day

The headaches, nausea and vomiting generally pass without incident, but the other symptoms can become worse. The individual may experience the following:

  • A sense of confusion and disorientation
  • Uncontrollable hand tremors that interfere with the ability to perform tasks like eating and operating basic household items
  • Jitters that escalate into seizures

Day 2-3

Around the second or third day, the withdrawal symptoms escalate. They may include:

  • Continuing seizures that are worsening in frequency and intensity
  • High blood pressure and elevated body temperature
  • Insomnia
  • In severe cases, the person will experience delirium tremens

What Is Delirium Tremens?

Delirium tremens, colloquially referred to as “the DTs”, is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This condition can be fatal if not managed properly: an out-of-control body temperature, complications from seizures, and wild fluctuations in the heart rhythms can result in death. Anyone experiencing the following symptoms of delirium tremens should be provided with immediate medical care:

  • Agitation, irritability and rapid mood swings
  • A deep sleep that goes on for an unusual length of time
  • Hallucinations
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Delirium
  • Increased or irregular heart rate
  • Elevated body temperature
  • High sensitivity to light, sound and touch
  • Grand mal seizures

Does delirium tremens happen to everyone?

It is estimated that around half of all people who quit drinking experience withdrawal symptoms in any form. Of those, 3-5% experience delirium tremens.

You may be at high risk of delirium tremens if:

  • You have been addicted to alcohol for more than ten years
  • Your average daily consumption is equivalent to 2-3 bottles of wine, 7-8 pints of beer, or a pint of hard liquor
  • You are more than 40 years of age
  • You have suffered a head injury
  • You have an illness at the time of withdrawal
  • You have a history of seizures
  • You have experienced delirium tremens in the past

How To Safely Withdraw From Alcohol

If you are addicted to alcohol – and especially if you are in a high-risk group for delirium tremens listed above – you should first talk to a medical professional before stopping your use of alcohol. Your doctor or addiction counselor may recommend that you undergo medical detox. 

Withdraw From Alcohol

This is a process whereby you are under the supervision of a doctor, who will monitor your vital signs and treat your withdrawal symptoms as they arise. 

If you choose to withdraw from alcohol without medical help, it is important that you do not do so alone. Ensure that you are in the company of a support person who will be able to identify the signs of delirium tremens and immediately ensure medical help if needed. 

Important Facts About Alcohol Addiction

When taken in excess, the adverse effects from the use of alcohol are most often irreversible. These alcohol addiction facts will surely be a starting point to correcting your mindset about drinking.

You are drinking more than you think you are

This seems untrue, but it is, and it is one of the many reasons you don’t feel compelled to know how to stop drinking. It is one of the essential facts about alcohol abuse that you should always think about. With every bottle you take, there is an average of 14 grams of concentrated alcohol. 

Also, when you take a regular beer, there are about 12 ounces of alcohol in there. There is 5 ounce of it in wine and about 8 or 9 in liquor. And on many occasions, especially when out with friends, it is more likely that you’ll mix two or more of these substances.

The truth is, you will most likely not feel like an alcohol addict. You are most likely not a drunkard. But, when you notice that you are taking beyond 4 bottles of your favourite alcohol drink per day, it calls for concern.

Alcohol alters your brain

Whenever your brain notices that you are trying to make a habit, it changes physically, to create a condition that helps you perform that task better. Hence, whenever your brain notices that you are frequently taking in alcohol, it interprets that you are trying to get better.

It changes and creates a condition that makes it easy to continue drinking seamlessly. Once this change occurs, there is no going back, and it may be problematic for a lifetime, even if you do change later on. It’s best to seek professional help from an addiction treatment expert near you now!

The effect of alcohol is different for each gender 

Another interesting alcohol addiction fact is that the bodies of men process alcohol differently from that of women. This difference is caused by factors including stomach enzymes, the concentration of water in the body, the muscle to fat ratio, and the presence or absence of some hormones. 

For women, when alcohol is absorbed, it is broken down more slowly, and they can suffer more damage from alcohol addiction. However, for men, drinking excessively is common because the body breaks it down fast, which will inevitably lead to the symptoms stated above. Either way, alcohol addiction is detrimental.

Alcoholism is partially generic

Genetics also has a role to play in alcoholism. Though environment and exposure play a significant role in alcoholism, parental genes also play a part. Though this risk is not definite, as scientists state, it is only a 50-50 chance that the parent’s genes will bring about addiction in a person. However, it is only right to note this, no matter how minute the occurrence is.

Alcohol can cause death

According to reports, about 88,000 persons die as a result of alcohol yearly, because several people drunk-drive. On the grimy side, this makes it one of the leading causes of death that can be prevented. By staying sober, over 80,000 deaths can be prevented.

Binge drinking is dangerous

Binge drinking refers to the condition of drinking too much within a short period. This is a widespread occurrence in people that are between the ages of 18 and 22 years. Taking this much within a short time can lead to dangerous alcohol body levels — a situation that comes with severe health consequences.

Alcohol withdrawal comes with severe side effects

It’s best to fight alcohol addiction ASAP. This is because with extended dependence on addiction if you stop drinking totally, and suddenly, the agitation of some nerve cells occurs. This can lead to a condition known as delirium tremens that comes with severe side effects including vomiting, unconsciousness, strong cravings, cold skin etc 

Tips for Getting Rid of Alcohol Addiction

Beyond the alcohol addiction facts, there are several ways with which you can work on yourself to get rid of this menace.

  • Therapy: This is the best way to stop drinking, as you rely on the professionalism and expertise of a therapist to lead you through the side effects that come with alcohol withdrawal
  • Support group: This is a typical recommendation in therapy, especially for those that suffer addiction to one disorder or another. Your support group can be a group of friends and family that will help at every stage of the addiction recovery process.

Recovery Does Not End With Alcohol Withdrawal

Safe alcohol withdrawal is an important first step in the journey to sobriety, but it is not the only step. Addictions almost always have a root cause, and a comprehensive rehab program will help you explore those causes, and either resolve them or learn more positive ways of dealing with them. 

With the right approach and plenty of support, you can overcome your alcohol addiction and lead a positive, productive life. In terms of support, it doesn’t get better than addiction treatment experts. 

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

It is never too soon or too late to get help for alcohol addiction. This can look different for different people: some may need to make some significant lifestyle changes, and perhaps find a local 12-steps program that works for them; others would do better in an inpatient addiction rehab program.

For alcohol addiction treatment to work, it should be customized to the individual, and the goal should be to resolve the issues that lie beneath the addiction. While detox is an important first step – and one that should be done under medical supervision – it is by no means the only step on the path to recovery. Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How To Avoid Alcohol After Recovery

Categories
Alcohol Addiction

How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Take?

The timeline for alcohol withdrawal varies from one individual to another. It also depends on certain factors. For a person addicted to alcohol, stopping drinking should be a welcome idea. However, such a person must do it in a medically advisable manner.

Seeking medical advice is critical because abrupt withdrawal from alcohol can be life-threatening. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range in severity. While some are mild, others are very severe. The latter category can become so intense and cause a long-term damage, illness, or death. 

In this article, you will gain more knowledge about how long alcohol withdrawal takes. You will also learn about the symptoms of withdrawing from alcohol and how to treat them. 

What is the Timeline for Alcohol Withdrawal? 

The duration of alcohol withdrawal varies for each person. It also depends on factors such as how long you drink and the average quantity of alcohol consumed. The presence of physical or mental health issues is also a factor. Generally speaking, a timeline for alcohol withdrawal looks like this: 

Stage 1

This starts six to twelve hours after your last drink. The symptoms you will experience at this stage include nausea, anxiety, and headaches. You will also experience low appetite, insomnia, and stomach pains. 

Stage 2

This usually takes place 12 to 24 hours after the last period of alcohol consumption. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms may increase to include hallucinations.

Stage 3

From 24 hours to 72 hours, the symptoms will begin to wear off. However, protracted symptoms can stay for more extended periods, running into weeks. Between 24-48 hours after drinking, you will be prone to seizures. 

From 48-72 hours, you may also experience fever, sweating, high blood pressure, and confusion. At this stage, you may also have delirium tremens accompanied by auditory hallucinations. This can sometimes lead to death. 

The symptoms of withdrawal begin to decrease in intensity after 5-7 days. Some side effects, especially psychological side effects, may continue after the first week. 

Protracted Alcohol Withdrawal

This is a condition that one may experience after severe withdrawal from drinking. It usually lasts for about a year. Symptoms include anxiety, tremors, high blood pressure, insomnia, increased heart rate, and respiratory issues. 

Some persons may experience other symptoms like decreased energy and metabolism. They may also experience fatigue and mental weariness. 

What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Based on the timeline, you now have an idea of what to expect from alcohol withdrawal. However, you must note that these symptoms are not the same for every person. 

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually change in intensity within a short time. Hence, there’s a need to remain careful all the time. 

You can classify alcohol symptoms into mild, moderate, and severe symptoms. Mild symptoms include: 

  • Mild headaches
  • Gloominess
  • Mild tremors
  • Mild Itching
  • Nausea
  • Light and sound intensity 

Moderate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

  • Frequent itching and nausea
  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety and sweating
  • Burning sensation or numb feeling
  • Poor mental alertness
  • Being uncomfortable around bright lights
  • Visible tremor when you stretch your hands out

Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms include: 

  • Hallucinations
  • Severe tremor
  • Constant nausea and vomiting
  • Profuse sweating
  • Acute Confusion

Withdrawal delirium or Delirium tremens (DTs) is an extreme symptom of alcohol withdrawal. It can cause death. One of the signs of this condition is a change in your consciousness level. It is more common in older persons with a history of heavy alcohol consumption. If your liver functions poorly and you experience severe withdrawal symptoms, you may be prone to DTs. 

Since it is a Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant, an abrupt stop to alcohol consumption is dangerous. This is because when you consume alcohol regularly, your CNS gets used to the feeling. Quitting abruptly will lead to CNS excitability, causing seizures, a DTs symptom. With that in mind, it is essential to seek professional help when withdrawing from alcohol. 

Related article: Why You Should Not Attempt Alcohol Withdrawal At Home

What is the Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal?

Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal

Most of the symptoms that come with alcohol withdrawal usually fade off after five days. However, some of these symptoms remain for more extended periods. It is best to treat these kinds of symptoms with the help of professional alcohol addiction treatment services. 

Treatment at such centers is much safer. Also, it helps you manage potentially harmful symptoms you may experience. A good alcohol addiction treatment centre will monitor you at each stage of the withdrawal process. Also, they will ensure you remain in great condition with supportive therapy. 

This therapy gets you set to return to everyday life. It also trains you on how to manage drinking urges. A doctor will tell you the treatment best for you and guide you through it. However, treatment doesn’t reduce the duration of your withdrawal timeline.

Detoxification is the first step to alcohol withdrawal treatment. It ensures you do not have severe symptoms. Alcohol addiction treatment aims to ease the patient’s withdrawal symptoms. It also gives patients the support they need to navigate the phase.

Some typical alcohol withdrawal treatments include: 

  • Observing the patients to know the degree of their symptoms
  • Use of anti-anxiety drugs. Benzodiazepine is an example of such medication. It helps you reduce the anxiety you may experience during withdrawal.
  • Use of anti-seizure drugs like Depakote to prevent seizures. 
  • Use of Beta-blockers, which help to slow the heart rate. These blockers also reduce the tremors you may experience. Sometimes, beta-blockers help patients to curb their urge for alcohol. 

Detoxifying and withdrawing from alcohol can be a strenuous exercise. It exhausts you physically, mentally, and emotionally. This is why you are best in the hands of alcohol addiction treatment centers. 

Should You Do Alcohol Withdrawal at Home?

Alcohol Withdrawal at Home

Many people wonder if they can perform alcohol withdrawal from the comfort of their homes. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you can do it home. However, you must do it with the supervision of a medical professional. Never practice alcohol withdrawal without the supervision of a professional. 

However, when you have to manage mild withdrawal symptoms from home, ensure you keep to the appropriate medications. Always check-in with your supervising physician when you need to. Don’t leave anything to chance.

The case is different when you show the risk of severe symptoms or have such symptoms. Then, it is always best to manage your treatment at an alcohol addiction treatment center. For those wondering how long does alcohol withdrawal take, they should also know they are prone to severe health consequences. Hence, staying within the walls of a facility to manage your recovery process is key to your safety. 

Generally speaking, it is always best to undergo your alcohol withdrawal at a treatment center. Most times, early recovery patients undergo their detoxification at treatment services. After the detoxification process, they continue with the rest of their treatment from home. On the other hand, patients with protracted withdrawal symptoms undergo the full process at treatment facilities.

Other Potential Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

We have been able to highlight the symptoms and timeline for alcohol withdrawal. However, there are other potential dangers associated with alcohol withdrawal. These often-overlooked dangers can do more damage over time.

The first one is the potential addiction to treatment pills. We have discussed some of the medicines used to treat alcohol withdrawal. Regardless, it is important to note that said pills can open ways to new addictions.

We will discuss these pills in detail and you will learn of their potential addictive properties. Ensure to always get prescribed pills from certified pharmacists. Also, learn about the potential addictive properties of any alcohol treatment pills before using them.

Potential Addictive Treatment Pills

Here’s what you need to know:

Benzodiazepines

These drugs are known for their calming effects. They are popular sedatives that are used for alcohol withdrawal treatment. They help to reduce the probability of seizures during alcohol withdrawal.

However, excessive use of this drug can lead to serious health problems. Due to its suppressive nature, you may become dependent on it. Here are some of the side effects of using benzodiazepines.

  • Blurred Vision
  • Feebleness
  • Dizziness
  • Poor decision making
  • Random mood shifts
  • Risk-taking habits, such as driving under the influence

Neuroleptic medications

These drugs help in depressing nervous system activity in the body. This is especially beneficial for alcohol withdrawal as it relaxes the nervous system and minimizes stress.

However, care must be taken while you use this drug. Abuse of these medications can lead to metabolic imbalance and severe weight gain. Other side effects may include

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Dizziness
  • Epilepsy

Beta-Blockers

beta-blockers abuse

These are known to be one of the safest options for combating alcohol withdrawal. They prepare you for what to expect during alcohol withdrawal like high blood pressure. This beta-blockers help regulate the heart by blocking adrenaline from flooding the heart.

However, regular and medicated intake must be considered. Excessive use of these beta-blockers can lead to a very slow and irregular heartbeat. Other potential symptoms of beta-blockers abuse are

  • Tiredness
  • Cold feet and hands
  • Migraines
  • Lightheadedness
  • Depression
  • Breath shortages
  • Constipation

In the end, you are responsible for the number of drugs you take in. Treatment pills are great for mitigating alcohol withdrawal. But you need to bear in mind not to switch one addiction for the other.

Ensure to consult a medical professional before using any treatment pills. Determine how long the alcohol withdrawal takes on your first consultation with a licensed addiction treatment expert. This will help you navigate any potential pitfalls of drug abuse.

Relapse in Alcohol Withdrawal

Relapse in Alcohol Withdrawal

Picture this scenario. You have not tasted alcohol in weeks. You have been taking your prescribed medicines. Your withdrawal symptoms are reducing. Then it happens, you decide to have a sip of alcohol and throw your recovery out the window.

This is called a relapse and it is just as damaging as alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is important to note that a relapse is not a death sentence. However, it is important to understand and know how to manage it.

Relapse is when a person who for some time has abstained from drinking, starts to drink again. Even if it is just one drink, it is called a relapse.

Especially, if the person is sober and has been abstaining from drinking for any amount of time. To define other habits and health problems, the word may also be used.

Relapse is considered a part of the rehabilitation process for alcohol withdrawal. While preventing relapse is a recovery objective, it is not rare to undergo such incidents. For the sake of remaining sober, but also for wellbeing, it is important to prevent relapsing. As it can lead to a binge or even life-threatening overdose, relapsing can be risky.

Factors that can Cause Relapse in Alcohol Withdrawal

For a variety of reasons that may differ by person, relapse may occur. However, certain general factors make it more probable. These are some of what to expect during alcohol withdrawal.

For example, without health intervention or even assistance from family and friends, you can easily relapse. Wanting to get sober on your own is a long uphill struggle.

Hence, you are far more likely to suffer relapses following multiple times of remission. Here are several other factors that induce or lead to relapses in drinking:

Quitting Cold Turkey

When it comes to alcohol withdrawal, stopping suddenly is not the best way. This can give a shock to your system that is already used to the substance.

Uncomfortable symptoms are likely to arise immediately. This can make you return to drinking to curb the discomfort.

Anxiety and Stress

Withdrawal-related anxiety and stress have been studied in persons seeking to abstain from alcohol. Changes to the brain caused by intense and sustained drinking can cause an elevated stress response. This is a factor in relapse, making alcohol withdrawal treatment difficult.

Untreated Mental Health Issues

Experiencing difficult circumstances in life or experiencing mental disease symptoms may cause a relapse. Ensure that any other mental health issues you may have are also treated along with your alcohol withdrawal.

Personal Triggers

Person triggers also function as signs that contribute to relapse. This could involve a specific colleague or a certain pub. Your feeling or mood also factors in and can return you to drinking actively. Make sure to know your triggers and avoid them frequently.

Going Through a Cycle of Relapses

While determining how long alcohol withdrawal takes, ensure you are not caught in a cycle. Passing through several periods of remission and relapse makes a person more likely to relapse. 

Exposure to Alcohol

Alcohol exposure is a significant contributor to relapse. To use alcohol as a cue to drink more, addiction conditions the brain. For this cause, hearing, smelling, or tasting a tiny amount will lead to a relapse.

Hence, you need to ensure that you keep your home alcohol proof. Do well to let your friends know about your situation. This will make them create an alcohol-free environment for you even when you visit them.

Preventing a Relapse During Alcohol Withdrawal

Relapse prevention is a procedure and a part of the treatment for alcohol withdrawal. Knowing the truth about relapse and how frequent it comes is important. You need to also implore practical techniques to consciously attempt to avoid it.

For long-term success, enroll in an alcohol withdrawal treatment center. In relapse prevention, these are some major methods used:

  • Identifying reasons for drinking by a person
  • Planning how best to prevent triggers
  • Learning to understand the signs that a relapse can occur and implementing strategies to avoid it
  • Learning effective coping skills when a trigger is experienced or when a high-risk scenario is inevitable
  • Setting a proper timeline for alcohol withdrawal to prepare the body for symptoms.
  • Having a clear strategy on what to do if there is a relapse
  • When required, bringing the relapse strategy into effect
  • Treatment and service preparation after placement in a residential treatment center
  • Improving the mindset and confidence of a person in his or her abilities to avoid a relapse
  • Developing a balanced overall lifestyle with adaptations that lower the likelihood of relapsing
  • Learning and using strategies for anxiety control to cope with difficult circumstances and negative feelings
  • Employing techniques of studying and exercising to control the temptation to drink
  • Developing and developing safe new hobbies and alcohol substitution behaviours

By implementing any of these preventive methods, you will be minimizing your alcohol withdrawal. You will also be reducing your chances of a relapse.

FAQs about Alcohol Withdrawal 

Alcohol Withdrawal 

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about alcohol withdrawal.

What Happens When You Quit Alcohol? 

When you decide to stop consuming alcohol abruptly, it leads to alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be severe and lead to complications if you don’t manage them properly.

How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Take?

The duration of alcohol withdrawal depends on an individual. It also depends on the quantity of alcohol you consume and how long you consume it. 

The recovery process usually takes three stages, depending on the symptoms you exhibit. These stages may last between 6-72 hours. For persons showing protracted symptoms, recovery will take days, weeks, months, and even years.

How Best Do I Manage My Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment? 

It is best to treat withdrawal symptoms in alcohol addiction treatment centers. Even if you want to undergo your recovery process at home, do so under a professional’s supervision. Whether you recover at home or a center is dependent on the severity of your symptoms. 

Should I Avoid All Treatment Pills When in Alcohol Withdrawal?

No, there are some very effective treatment pills to use. The important thing is to use them under supervision to prevent new addictions.

Are There Any Non-Addictive Treatment Pills?

Beta-blockers have been known to be typical non-addictive. Regardless, caution needs to be taken when using them

Is Relapse Inevitable?

It may not be inevitable, but it can be managed greatly once you notice it on time

Is There a Treatment For Relapse At All?

There is no miracle cure for relapse. However, you can condition your body to resist alcohol for so long. This can lead to your body adapting to the alcohol withdrawal.

Are There Any Centers For Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment in Canada?

Yes. There are a great number of treatment facilities in Canada that can help with alcohol withdrawal.

Conclusion

You now have better information about alcohol withdrawal. You also have a better understanding of the symptoms and treatment. When withdrawing from alcohol, ensure that you have the supervision of professionals. It is always best to undergo your withdrawal process at alcohol addiction treatment centers. 

If you want the best treatment tailored to your needs, then look no further. Try our addiction treatment services for the best treatment experience you can get. 

By now, you are also familiar with other means of easing your alcohol withdrawal. Ensure that you don’t self medicate with treatment pills. Always consult a professional at any reputable alcohol withdrawal center.

Relapse is not the end. There are many ways to manage it and keep your body on the road to recovery. Make sure to go over the various methods of relapse prevention.

Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How Alcohol Abuse Affects Family Relationships And Friendships

Categories
Alcohol Addiction

Teenager Underage Drinking – Causes, Effects, Help

Talking to a teenager about their underage is a delicate yet necessary step. However, many people are at a loss for what to say and how to do it. If you need help with underage drinking in your teenager, go through this article.

Do you think your teen is too young to discuss alcohol underage? 

As early as puberty, certain kids decide to start drinking alcohol. There is no doubt that this is not good decision-making. But, how do you communicate that to them?

Alcohol addiction at an early age will likely lead to significant long-term health consequences for the teenager. Moreover, it raises the risk of other patterns of drug abuse and addiction. This can lead to brain growth disorders, and affect vital internal organs.

Aa such, it is crucial that you speak to him or her about the consequences of alcohol abuse. But the bigger question remains ’how do you motivate the teen to quit drinking?’ In this article, you will discover tips to manage teenage alcohol use.

Before talking to a teen about alcohol, it is best to first identify the symptoms and seek suitable recovery services. That is, figure out why they are drinking in the first place. Here are some pointers to help you.

Why Do Teenagers Drink?

Why Do Teenagers Drink

This section will help answer the question; why is my teenager drinking? Generally, teens are more susceptible to the use of alcohol. This is because they are in a more adventuristic phase. So, they will take risks and search out new and exciting experiences to feel more independent. Often, this may involve alcohol consumption.

Also, some teenagers tend to become more self-conscious and seek clues on how they match up to their peers. To appease mates, those who feel left out may experiment with alcohol. To help with their underage drinking, you’ll need to interact with them to figure out the problem.

Finally, teens may resort to drinking to deal with school pressures. They may also drink to alleviate the stress of transitions like from high school to college. 

More Causes of Underage Drinking

Teenagers may attempt to claim their individuality and develop their identity as they grow up. Sometimes, they seek to do this in ways that are questionable – alcohol use. As a concerned adult, you will, no doubt, want to help with overcoming underage drinking. Here is some insight into the common causes of underage drinking.

  • Sometimes teenagers feel a need to confront figures of authority that they look up to, including parents and teachers. One way they challenge this control is to use alcohol. Unfortunately, most youths do not completely realize the dangers to their health and actions.
  • According to a study, most youths who start drinking early get it free of charge. They either get it from friends, family members or find it in the home. In other words, continuous access to liquor increases the potential for its consumption and addiction in teens.
  • A major reason many underage people consume alcohol is due to social or peer pressure. If a teenager has a circle of friends, they are likely to start drinking themselves.
  • Also, many youths use alcohol because they see others doing it. They experience alcohol consumption by their friends, families, and other adults. They see them use it to feel comfortable and then try to drink for the same reasons.

Now, there are several ways to tackle underage drinking. But first, you must identify why the teen is drinking. Hopefully, you now know some of the various causes.

Related article: Can I Drink Alcohol While on Birth Control?

How to Know If your Teenager is Drinking

How to Know If your Teenager is Drinking

Abuse of alcohol has noticeable effects on the body. Early detection of these symptoms can help with underage drinking management. If your child shows strong signs of liquor abuse, you may need to secure alcohol addiction treatment services.

Some of the physical symptoms of substance addiction by a teenager are:

  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Changes in patterns of appetite or sleep
  • Appearance degradation
  • Smaller pupils
  • Getting sick or tired often
  • Smelling like liquor
  • Staggered walking
  • Empty bottles in the room of the teenager or the trash  
  • Falling school performance
  • Reduced participation in once-enjoyed events or interests, such as sports, etc
  • Alterations of social groups
  • Becoming disconnected or isolated
  • Suspicious behaviour
  • Cash Theft
  • Lying about alleged substance misuse, or being defensive,
  • Other shifts in character, actions, and behaviours
  • Sudden changes in mood

Once you notice any of these signs, carefully engage your teenager on why they are drinking. Remember, it is never late to start talking to a teen about alcohol abuse.

Effects of Underage Drinking

Underage drinking leads to all kinds of unhealthy behaviours in your teen. Unfortunately, its effects can be long-lasting and severely damaging. However, the right intervention and help with underage drinking can halt these destructive effects.

Alcohol-related fatalities

A major cause of teen car accidents is alcohol-related driving. Teen drowning, overdoses and homicides have all been associated with the consumption of alcohol.

Dangerous Sexual activity

Drinking teens may become sexually active faster and have sex more than non-drinking teenagers. Furthermore, teens that drink are much more likely to have unprotected intercourse. This may lead to teenage pregnancy.

Problems with education

Problems with education

Over the years, teens who drink seem to have more issues with academics than teens who don’t drink. While they may not necessarily be failing, their grades usually drop. It takes help with underage drinking to help them get back on track.

Alcoholism

People who start drinking as teenagers are more likely to experience alcohol dependency. Indeed, underage binge drinking increases the risk of alcohol abuse later in life. Showing them non-alcoholic alternatives is one of the effective tips to manage teenage alcohol use.

Criminal crime

Often, teenagers who drink turn to crime. Sometimes, it is a bid to get money for booze. Other times, they use crime to fulfill their alcohol-induced fantasy. Theft, rape, robbery etc are all crimes that go hand-in-glove with underage drinking.

Criminal crime

How to Help with Underage Drinking

You may be uncertain about what to say, that is perfectly understandable. Also, it is likely that your teen will want to stop the discussion the first few times, that’s fine. To help with underage drinking, continue the conversation, at a more comfortable time. You will have a better effect on your teen if you speak regularly than if you speak just once.

Be realistic with them

Sometimes, teenagers feel that alcohol makes them cool or happy. Explain that it is possible that a person feels “elevated” by drinking alcohol. But, be sure to mention that it is a depressant that can induce depression and rage as well.

Discuss the basis for not drinking

Explain the dangers of teen drinking and be frank if you have a personal history of alcoholism. Tell your child why they could be more prone to excessive consumption of alcohol and accompanying health issues.

Discuss the basis for not drinking

Project scenarios and reactions to alcohol offers

You need to prepare your child for when someone offers them alcohol. Brainstorm with your teenager and decide how to react to alcohol offers. It may be as straightforward as saying no or asking for soda instead.

Be prepared for questions

Your teen may be wondering if when you were a minor, you drank alcohol. Accept if you did, and connect traumatic moments to your drinking as a lesson. This makes talking to a teen about alcohol more comfortable.

Having a relationship of confidence will help with underage drinking discouragement for your teen. You should also spend time together as this will make communication feel more natural for your teen.

Know the habits of your teens  

Take notice of the plans and whereabouts of your teenager. Also, encourage engagement in after-school and weekend events under supervision. This will make it easier to detect and limit alcohol use.

Set up rules and ramifications

Rules might involve avoiding gatherings where alcohol is consumed. Whichever rules you create, commit to and execute the consequences of violation.

Set an example

When you drink, do it with moderation. Also, describe how you obey rules, such as not drinking and driving. This will suggest to your teenager that they can imitate you.

Foster positive connections

Your teen is more likely to drink if their friends drink, too. Get to meet the peers of your teens and their kin. Track what your children are doing to keep them safe, cooperate with other parents. By doing this, you ensure that your teen hangs out with a positive circle of friends.

Conclusion

Alcohol is readily available today and sold widely in society. Indeed, some people consider the consumption of alcohol as a natural part of growing up. To help with underage drinking, we need to tackle this narrative.

There are many dangers of underage drinking. This includes car accidents, fatalities, robberies, etc. Sadly, oftentimes, the user not only puts himself at risk but other members of the society – such as in motor accidents.

Moreover, people who start drinking early tend to have major alcohol issues later in life, like alcoholism. They also have an increased risk of several negative outcomes. Examples include unsafe sexual behaviour and low academic success.

In light of this, it is best to quickly identify teenagers who drink alcohol and take action to help them. Our groundbreaking and systematic treatment methods at 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre have proven effective in this regard.

Do you want help for your teenager who is drinking alcohol? We deliver premium alcohol addiction treatment in Canada to help kick bad drinking habits. Furthermore, we help minimize substance experimentation as well as the challenges that surround substance use in young people.

Related article: How to Help a Loved One With a Drinking Problem?

 

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Alcohol Addiction

Can I Drink Alcohol While on Birth Control?

It can be a late-night drink and a sofa snuggle or a romantic dinner with liquor. Alcohol and sex always end up together, whether intentional or not. Thankfully, if you drink alcohol while on birth control, it doesn’t spell doom.

However, this is a different case if your birth control method is memory or behaviour based. You may be swallowing a pill or using a condom at a time. You will need to be cautious when taking alcohol in this case.

Most people in the United States drink alcohol at least once in their lives. According to recent research, over 60% of all U.S. adults report consuming alcohol. Therefore, a lot of women worry about the effects of alcohol on birth control.

We have established that alcohol has no significant impact on the efficacy of birth control. However, alcohol intake can increase the birth control failure rate, but why and how? This article will address how alcohol affects birth control.

Types of Birth controls

Birth controls are great for preventing unwanted pregnancies. However, they aren’t all 100% perfect. They work effectively but vary in usage. Below is a list of popular birth control methods.

As far as safety goes, you can drink alcohol while on birth control, provided you use this kind of contraceptive correctly:

  • Implants 
  • Vaginal rings
  • Shots of Depo-Provera
  • Birth control pills
  • IUDs
  • Patches
  • Emergency pills (“morning after”) 
  • Condoms 

We will go into detail on each preventive method and its efficiency. This information will prove useful in deciding how alcohol affects birth control.

Related article: How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Take?

The Birth Control Implant

The Birth Control Implant

It is a small thin pipe about the same size as a matchstick. The implant is inserted in the arm by a doctor or nurse. It can reside there for up to 3 years. It’s more than 99 percent reliable in its execution. It is great for women who don’t want to think about taking birth control regularly. For those that drink alcohol while on birth control and often forget, this method suits them.

Vaginal Rings

With regular use, the vaginal ring is 91% successful. It’s a little plastic ring that is inside the vagina. It needs to be cleaned once a month, which you can do at home. It is 99 percent effective when done the right way and changed on time.

Shots of Depo-Provera

The Depo-Provera shot, known by the popular brand name, needs to take place every 3 months. It has normal usage effectiveness of 94 percent. It is secure and easy but has to be used to be fully successful on time. If administered on time, 99% is successful.

Birth Control Pills

It is a popular method among people who drink alcohol while on birth control. With regular use, it is approximately 91% successful. It is 99 percent effective with perfect application. The pill is taken daily and can drastically reduce the risks of drinking alcohol while on birth control.

IUDs

IUDs

Intrauterine devices are lightweight compact plastic instruments that a doctor or nurse positions in the uterus. It is a long-term form of birth control which, depending on the IUD. They can prevent pregnancy for 3-12 years. They are more than 99% successful.

Patches

The patch is also 91% efficient for normal use and 99% for optimal use. It slowly causes hormonal fluctuations that prevent pregnancy. It has to be substituted every 3 weeks.

Emergency Pills

They are also known as morning-after pills. They are commonly used to correct uncertainty among people that drink alcohol while on birth control. You take them after sexual intercourse has occurred. It helps to flush away the potential sperm cells and eggs.

Emergency Pills

Condoms

They are the only method of defending against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. However, they can be a drastic effect of alcohol on birth control if you forget to wear them. Male condoms are 98 percent effective for the prevention of conception with perfect use.

Effects of Alcohol On Birth Control

Alcohol does not explicitly affect how birth control functions. Yet alcohol can interact in various ways with birth control. Alcohol use can greatly influence the efficacy of birth control in women.

The main issue with alcohol combination is the effect alcohol has on your actions and judgment. This is particularly relevant for people who regularly drink alcohol while on birth control. You will need to be more cautious.

In most situations, light drinks will not mess with the decision to use birth control. However, people must pay particular attention to how they use birth control. Even medium drinking can raise rates of failure on how alcohol affects birth control.

Examples are forgetting to take a pill or adjusting a vaginal ring. A hangover makes you more likely that you forget your pill or patches while you are intoxicated. This could lead to an unwanted pregnancy.

Alcohol increases the risk of sexually transmitted (STI) illness due to incorrect use of condoms. Women may forget to use the right contraceptive usage due to drowsiness under the influence of alcohol.

There is also the risk of vomiting immediately after taking the pill. This will hinder the medicine’s absorption and reduce its efficacy. Vomiting within 2 hours of taking the pill can lead to expulsion of the pill from your system.

Furthermore, alcohol may not affect your birth control if you correctly administer it. However, missed doses or delayed replacement of the device increases your chances of becoming pregnant.

And if you start drinking once you get pregnant, your unborn child could be in danger. Most women are not aware of their pregnancy for 4 to 6 weeks. They may be intoxicated during this period, which unwittingly hurts the developing fetus.

Additionally, when you drink alcohol while on birth control, the alcohol stays longer in you. This is because; the body can’t effectively metabolize both birth control and alcohol together.

This leads to alcohol staying longer in your system and making you feel drunk for longer. This will affect your cognitive functions and may lead to errors in birth control usage.

Also, alcohol can affect the efficacy of birth control by reducing the inhibitions of an individual. Drinking will cause someone to do something they wouldn’t normally do while they are sober. Thereby, this increases the risks of drinking alcohol while on birth control.

Someone who drinks excessively may be careless with a sex partner and forget to use a condom. They might be so confused that they don’t recognize that they have unprotected intercourse.

How To Manage Birth Control Risk When Drunk

Manage Birth Control Risk When Drunk

Ovulation may occur if one dosage of birth control is skipped or missed. If you skip a pill, ensure you use a different form of birth control for a while. You can also try alcohol addiction treatment to slowly wean yourself off the habit.

Birth control drugs are particularly successful in avoiding accidental conception when administered properly and regularly. Fortunately, women’s access to reliable contraceptives from creative health companies is getting simpler and more convenient. Do drink responsibly and use a back-up condom if you intend to drink while using birth control.

How To Ensure Birth Control Effectiveness While Intoxicated

In case you decide to go out to drink alcohol while on birth control, you can plan. Even, if it’s a random moment of drinks with friends. You can quickly set an alarm or discuss a backup plan with your partner.

  • Use reminder apps to track your pill inventory
  • Take the pill early in the morning rather than the evening when circumstances are unexpected.
  • Bring emergency protection including spermicides and condoms.
  • Pick a less demanding contraceptive option like IUD or implant where

FAQs About Drinking Alcohol While on Birth Control

Q: Are there any pills I can take after a drunken night where I am unsure of my use of birth control?

A: Yes, you can take emergency pills to flush out your system.

Q: What are the hormones in birth control?

A: Estrogen and Progesterone.

Q: Why do I need to wear condoms if I take the birth control pill, patch or ring?

A: We urge and advise you to use condoms to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

Conclusion

Women have several different birth control methods available, which are extremely successful if properly used. There are several options on how to drink alcohol while on birth control. The right decision can be made easy with the aid of a knowledgeable physician.

Alcohol usually has no significant effect on the effectiveness of birth control. The only question is how alcohol impacts your subconscious and the willingness to use your contraceptives. You may like the occasional alcoholic drink but are concerned about missed doses. You can therefore explore multiple options with your doctor.

Additionally, you may want to give up alcohol consumption as a whole. Fortunately, we got you covered on this. We offer a strong alcohol addiction treatment program. Here at 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre, we will provide you with the right steps to lead you to sobriety. Contact us today to start your giant leap to an alcohol-free world.

Related article: Why You Should Not Attempt Alcohol Withdrawal At Home

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Alcohol Addiction

How to Help a Loved One With a Drinking Problem

Having to help a loved one with a drinking problem can be very challenging. People whose loved ones struggle with drinking often complain of the emotional trauma that comes with it. While the alcoholic may not realize it, you are left to deal with the negative impact. Therefore, the need to know how to help with a drinking problem becomes essential. 

Alcohol abuse, like any other substance abuse, harms the health of the alcoholic. Their families are laden with medical bills to pay. As a result of this, they put so much strain on their finances. Also, excessive drinking or alcoholism affects the jobs of the alcoholic. Although, there are some alcoholics who despite their problem perform extremely well at work. Notwithstanding, the families of the alcoholic still bear the brunt of their actions — whether financially or even physically.

Wondering how to help with a drinking problem? In this article, we give you tips for helping an alcoholic. Additionally, we discuss how to recognize your loved one has a drinking problem. 

How to Recognize Your Loved One Has a Drinking Problem 

Not everyone who drinks has a drinking problem. Drinking problems range from mild to severe. However, most alcoholics will deny they have a drinking problem. Recognizing the signs of alcoholism precedes knowing how to help with a drinking problem. 

Your loved one may have a drinking problem if they,

  • Prioritize their drinking above you or their relationship with others.
  • Lie about their drinking habit or cover it up
  • Resort to drinking as a means of dealing with mental health issues e.g. mood disorders, paranoia, depression, etc.
  • Drink more than usual or than they plan to

When you notice some or all of these signs of drinking, take the necessary actions. You may want to get them to seek alcohol addiction treatment

Drinking Problem

Steps To Help a Loved One With a Drinking Problem

For alcoholics, dealing with a drinking problem isn’t always an easy ride in the park. Many struggle to get sober on their own but end up failing. Some even seek alcohol addiction treatment services but stop mid-way. With your constant support, you can get them to conquer drinking.

Also, when helping with a drinking problem, consider talking to the alcoholic while they’re sober. This ensures that they’re in the right frame of mind to have the conversation. Additionally, involving people they love and respect can help.

Getting them to the phase of recovery requires some effort on your part. Here are steps on how to help with a drinking problem.

Be informed 

Be informed 

Informing yourself is the first step in helping someone with a drinking problem. By this, we mean getting to know all you can about alcoholism. With proper knowledge, helping the alcoholic becomes easier. Also, it helps you to understand their moods, attitudes, and behaviour better.

However, knowing all about alcoholism should not excuse the alcoholic’s bad behaviour. They still should be responsible for their actions and their consequences. Rather, this knowledge should allow you to see alcoholism as what it truly is, a disease. Just like every other disease, alcoholism has symptoms. Also, it has something responsible for kick-starting it. By acquiring knowledge, you understand that alcoholics suffer too and are in need of help.

Additionally, when you get knowledge, you know how to help with a drinking problem. You know things to do and not to do. You are aware of the things you do that aren’t helping your loved one. Finally, you’ll know how to react and deal with their moods. 

Talk to them

Another effective way to help with a drinking problem is to talk to your loved one about it.  They may not be aware of the effect their heavy drinking has on you. While it’s not unusual for alcoholics to deny or reject help, still, talking helps.

Talking to them when they’re sober yields better results than when they’re drunk. While they are drunk, they may react violently or become defensive. Start calmly. The last thing they want is for you to raise your voice at them. Here are a few tips to help you talk to them.

  • Don’t in any way try to threaten them. It often doesn’t end well.
  • Use the sandwich method. Praise, correction, then praise. They already feel bad about their addiction. They don’t need you to make them feel worse.
  • Be patient when talking to them. Try to explain how their alcoholism is also affecting you.
  • Don’t bring up past events. Let the conversation be free of their past actions but the most recent ones.

Following these tips prevents outbursts of anger or violence from your loved one. More importantly, it gives you the calm necessary to pass your message along.

Don’t enable their behaviour

Enabling the behaviour of your loved one is the same as being codependent. This makes you lose yourself while worrying too much about your loved one. Your mental and emotional health is as important as theirs.

Other than forcing them to get treatment, focus on how you can help yourself during this phase. An alcoholic is the only person who can decide to get treatment. The earlier you realize this, the less emotional stress you go through.

In addition to this, codependency causes you to place your loved one’s happiness above yours. The recovery process is a long one. Your loved ones will need you to be healthy to help them through that process.

To help with a drinking problem, you can take a strict decision not to enable their behaviour. Worse issues tend to come up during alcohol addiction treatment. If you continue enabling their behaviour now, it’ll affect you later on. Sometimes, allowing a crisis to happen is the wakeup call your loved one needs. This helps them to admit they need addiction treatment. If you always rush to help them during crises, they may decide to forego treatment.  

Involve others

Involve others

Another way to help with a drinking problem is to involve others. Invite people they love over and be honest about your loved one’s drinking problem. Hiding the truth won’t do the alcoholic any good. 

While involving others, discuss alcohol addiction treatment options available for your loved one. Discuss how to get your loved one into alcohol rehab. Also, talk about the consequences of your loved one’s drinking problem. 

Some consequences can be as bad as getting a divorce or getting a restraining order. The consequence should be able to get your loved one to agree to seek treatment. Coupled with the tips above, you can decide to get a therapist to help you talk to your loved one. They’ll be able to tell your addicted loved one what they need to hear!

Encourage and support your loved one

Encouraging your loved one is a good way to help with a loved one’s drinking problem. By encouraging them we are not saying you should enable their behaviour. During this phase of their lives, they need to know they aren’t alone. You can encourage them by acknowledging their efforts to become sober.

Also, by encouraging them, you’re showing support. You can show support by doing the following:

  • Taking them to the therapist for their appointments.
  • If they are in a rehab centre, visit them often. Doing this makes them know that you care.
  • Work out with them.
  • Attend support groups with them

FAQs About Alcohol Addiction and Abuse

Here are answers to some common questions. These answers will help you guide your loved one to making the right choice.

To reduce drinking or quit totally?

To reduce drinking or quit totally

If your loved ones can control how they drink, then they may not need to quit. It’s possible to drink and not affect your health. However, when it becomes unhealthy, they may need to quit.

Does setting drinking goals help?

Yes, if they plan on cutting down on drinking, you can help by setting goals. Set realistic goals. Also, don’t try to rush the process.

How can I take care of myself during this process?

You can start by attending to your own needs. Also, talk to a therapist. Dealing with a loved one’s alcohol addiction on your own may lead to a major breakdown.

How do I know I’m enabling their behaviour?

You know you’re enabling their behaviour when

  • You cover up for them.
  • You make excuses for them.
  • You always come to their rescue.
  • You continue accepting their bad behaviour.
  • You always conform to their wishes

To Sum It Up

The addiction recovery process isn’t always easy. Knowing how to help with a drinking problem can make the process less tasking. After recognizing signs of alcoholism, it’s important to ensure your loved ones get treatment. However, the decision to seek professional help is solely theirs to make.

In this article, we discuss steps to help your loved one with a drinking problem. Also, we give you tips on how to talk to them about their alcoholism. Essentially, this article is your best guide on how to help with a drinking problem.

Still wondering where to get the best alcohol addiction treatment services in Canada the USA? 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre offers experienced therapists and custom treatments to help guide your loved one back to sobriety. Contact us today!

Related article: Underage Drinking: How To Help Your Teenager

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Alcohol Addiction

Why You Should Not Attempt Alcohol Withdrawal At Home

Alcohol addiction is one of the most troublesome substance use disorders. This is largely because drinking is such a mainstream social activity. One of the dangers is that people who consume large quantities of alcohol on a regular basis can be in real danger if they attempt alcohol withdrawal at home.

Why Are Societal Attitudes So Harmful?

The pressure to consume alcohol starts almost as soon as we reach the legal drinking age. And, it doesn’t ease up. Alcohol has become normalized in most communities. Here’s how:

  • On your “legal drinking age” birthday, friends and family make a point of giving you alcoholic beverages, because “now you’re allowed to drink”
  • At social gatherings, people who become intoxicated are regarded as “the life of the party”
  • People who refuse alcoholic beverages are ridiculed and called insulting names
  • Recent years have given rise to a “mom wine” culture that normalizes wine as a solution to parental stress
  • Most of our celebrations are centred around alcohol. If you can’t get drunk, it’s not a real party
  • People are encouraged to treat hangovers with “a hair of the dog”. This is an expression for an alcoholic drink

In a society where alcohol consumption is expected, it can be difficult to assess when someone has an alcohol use disorder. We have come to regard excessive drinking as “normal”, which means people often don’t get alcohol addiction treatment as soon as they should.

And by the time a person with an alcohol addiction recognizes that they need help, they may have reached the point where safe alcohol withdrawal at home is not possible.

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?

It’s possible that you may be attempting alcohol withdrawal at home. Here’s what the withdrawal process looks like. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows down the functioning of the brain. 

If you consume large quantities of alcohol on a regular basis, the brain tries to compensate for the constant sedating effects. It does this by producing larger quantities of serotonin and other stimulant chemicals. If you then suddenly stop drinking, these chemicals flood the brain, resulting in withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, the jitters and more.

Because this also affects the functioning of the vital organs, including the heart and lungs, alcohol withdrawal that is not effectively managed can have devastating consequences. Delirium tremens, commonly known as the DTs, is the most serious form of alcohol withdrawal and occurs in about five percent of alcohol withdrawals.

What Are The Symptoms Of Alcohol Withdrawal?

The Symptoms Of Alcohol Withdrawal

Like most aspects of addiction, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and their severity can vary widely from one person to the next. Factors that affect this include:

  • The age and biological sex of the individual
  • Their state of physical and mental health
  • Whether medications or other substances are being used
  • The frequency and amount of alcohol consumption
  • How long the individual has been using alcohol
  • How long it has been since the last alcoholic drink

The first few hours

Five to ten hours after the last drink has been consumed, the first withdrawal symptoms appear. They peak after one or two days. For those attempting alcohol withdrawal at home, with no support, this is when the individual is most likely to start drinking again. Symptoms include:

  • Tremors and jittering
  • A racing pulse
  • High blood pressure
  • Fast, shallow breathing
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sweating and clammy skin
  • Anxiety, irritability and paranoia
  • Sleep issues including insomnia, nightmares and vivid dreams

 The first day

12-24 hours after the last drink, new symptoms start to appear alongside the existing symptoms. These can last for up to two days, and include:

  • Confusion
  • Escalation of tremors
  • Visual and/or tactile hallucinations. This often takes the form of perceiving crawling insects

Related article: Addiction Treatment: What to Expect During Opioid Withdrawal

The first week

Alcohol withdrawal seizures can start up to two days after the last drink, and they tend to occur on and off over a period of a few hours.

Delirium Tremens

Delirium Tremens

Of all the risks of doing alcohol withdrawal at home, the possibility of delirium tremens is the greatest. It happens in about five percent of alcohol withdrawal cases. Primarily, it affects those who have been routinely drinking large quantities of alcohol over a long period of time. What makes it dangerous is that it results in dangerous fluctuations in respiratory and cardiac activity, dangerously high blood pressure, and interruption of blood flow to the brain.

Symptoms of delirium tremens include:

  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Dehydration
  • Rapid or erratic heart rate
  • Irrational anger
  • Nervousness and/or anxiety
  • Soaking sweats
  • Paranoia and/or irrational beliefs
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Hallucinations

Who is most at risk of experiencing delirium tremens?

People who meet any of the following characteristics are at higher risk of delirium tremens:

  • Prior history of alcohol withdrawal seizures or DTs
  • Co-occurring physical or mental illness
  • Prolonged heavy use of alcohol on a daily basis
  • Severe initial alcohol withdrawal symptoms
  • Prior history of alcohol abuse
  • Older
  • Presence of brain lesions and other anomalies

What Are The Risks Of Trying Alcohol Withdrawal At Home?

Alcohol Withdrawal

The possibility of delirium tremens presents the biggest threat to safe alcohol withdrawal. Even if you are not at high risk of DTs, you should be aware of the following possibilities:

  • The kindling phenomenon: Each time you relapse and then attempt to quit, the withdrawal symptoms are worse than the previous attempt.
  • Addiction to multiple substances: Many people who abuse alcohol also use other substances. If you attempt home withdrawal from both substances, the effects can be dangerous and unpredictable.
  • A common alcohol withdrawal symptom is seizures. If you are unsupervised you could hurt yourself.
  • Delirium tremens can lead to unconsciousness and loss of life.
  • Hallucinations and paranoia can result in the individual acting in potentially self-destructive ways without regard for the danger.

What Should I Do Instead?

The best way to accomplish safe alcohol withdrawal is through medical detox. This is a process whereby medical professionals supervise the withdrawal process, treat symptoms as they arise, and ensure your safety and comfort.

Steps that are taking during your medical detox may include the following:

  • Regular monitoring of your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and other vital signs
  • Use of intravenous fluids in cases of dehydration
  • Use of medication to manage panic, anxiety and seizure – medication includes long-acting benzodiazepines, gabapentin, and barbiturates
  • Use of medication to reduce alcohol dependence – examples include disulfiram and naltrexone
  • A controlled nutritious eating plan to help your body recover from the ravages of alcohol abuse
  • Physical and mental health assessments in preparation for rehab

Many alcohol addiction treatment centres have onsite medical detox clinics. This will enable you to go from detox straight into rehab, thus reducing your risk of relapse.

What if alcohol withdrawal at home is my only option?

While medical detox is recommended for safe alcohol withdrawal, this is not possible for everyone. If you have no choice but to withdraw from alcohol at home, there are some steps you can take to maximize your safety.

  • See your doctor before you start. They may prescribe medication to help you manage symptoms, although they may require someone else to keep the medication and dispense it as needed. Your doctor may also refer you to an outpatient detox program or schedule you for regular visits.
  • Make sure you are not alone. Someone should be with you at all times during the withdrawal process to keep you safe and to call for emergency medical help if needed.
  • Stock up on nutritious food before you start. If you can, prepare meals into portions that you can grab and eat at mealtimes.
  • Clear your schedule. Make sure nobody expects anything from you while you are going through withdrawal. The smallest amount of pressure can amplify your anxiety and put you at risk of a relapse.
  • Have plenty of water at hand. Dehydration is common during alcohol withdrawal, and if you are not careful, it can reach dangerous levels.
  • Ensure that your communication devices are fully charged so that you can call for help at any time.
  • Plan for a possible emergency. A car and a licensed driver should be on hand to take you to the hospital if needed. Ensure that the car has gas in it and that there is no possibility of being parked in.

How Do I Get Into Medical Alcohol Detox?

At 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre, we do not only provide comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment and rehab. We also have our own medical detox centre. Upon admission, you will be taken to the detox centre, where you will be kept as safe and comfortable as possible during the withdrawal process. While your body is getting stronger, we will help you prepare for rehab. 

By the time you start the rehab phase of your treatment, the alcohol will be out of your system, Also, your body and mind will be better prepared for your alcohol addiction recovery. To get started, call us at 855-601-0555.

Related article: How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Take?

Categories
Alcohol Addiction

How Alcohol Abuse Affects Family Relationships And Friendships

The effects of alcohol addiction are far-reaching, not only for the addicted person. It also extends to their spouse, children, parents, siblings, close friends, and other people in their inner circle. This is why knowledge of how alcohol abuse affects family relationships is important.

As the individual falls deeper and deeper into the pit of addiction, their behaviour can change in ways that loved ones find inexplicable and overwhelming. Chaos starts to take over and well-established bonds of trust are broken, causing relationships to fall by the wayside. 

This leaves friends and family members feeling betrayed and grief-stricken. Sometimes, they are in a position of having to rebuild practical elements of their lives, such as repairing damaged credit or finding a new place to live.

The Effect Of Alcoholism On Families

To understand how alcohol abuse affects relationships within families, we need to view families as the complex social structures they are. Each member functions both as an individual and as an essential part of the group. Everyone has their role, and the roles present vary from one family to the next. 

Examples of family roles include the caregiver, the problem-solver, the entertainer, and the breadwinner. Some family members are introverts, others are extroverts. Similarly, some are creative thinkers, others are logical thinkers.

All of these roles, when thrown together, make the family what it is. And so, if anything big changes, the family changes. For example, if any family member dies or becomes seriously ill, or if the family gains a new member, the roles of each person have to shift to make way for a new reality.

Alcohol addiction is a serious condition that changes the way the addicted person speaks, thinks, and behaves. And everyone else in the family has to make room for the reality of addiction. 

So how does alcohol abuse affect relationships in this context? Not only will it affect each person’s relationship with the addict, but it can also affect the family members’ relationships with each other.

Intimate Partner Relationships

Intimate Partner Relationships

There is a reason we colloquially refer to your spouse or partner as “your other half”. This is the person you are supposed to be able to trust more than anyone else. You share a life, finances, and a home with your partner; sometimes you have children with them. In a functional relationship, you are partners in every sense of the word: you support each other through individual goals, and you work together to achieve goals as a couple.

You also help each other in times of trouble. In most intimate partner relationships, this happens without either person really thinking about it. You and your partner are there for each other, no matter what, and you help each other instinctively. 

And so, when your partner is confronted with the reality of your alcohol abuse, they are not primarily thinking of the effects of alcohol addiction. Instead, they are thinking about how they can support you through this.

The problem, of course, is that you yourself may not understand that you have an addiction problem. You may become increasingly defensive about your alcohol use; eventually, the defensiveness may give way to outright secrecy.

Alcohol addicts are very good at hiding their addictions. In many cases, they patronize a number of liquor retail outlets in rotation, in order to avoid arousing the suspicion of any one retailer. They find creative ways of hiding both their alcohol and their alcohol use. What this means is that if you tell your partner that you have stopped drinking, they can be forgiven for believing you, even if it is not true.

But eventually, the addiction comes to light. This can happen in any number of ways. For one, you may get caught driving under the influence of alcohol and have to enter alcohol addiction treatment. Or you may become physically or mentally abusive. 

Sometimes the tipping point isn’t even something as extreme: your partner could find one of your hidden bottles of alcohol, or they could accidentally catch you drinking.

This can lead to an erosion of the relationship of trust that you and your partner have built up. At best, your partner will start to be wary around you. At worst, they will be afraid of you, and they will make the choice to put a physical or emotional distance between you.

Related article: Be in the Know: Canada’s Latest Alcohol Addiction and Recovery Facts

How Alcohol Abuse Affects Relationships With Children

How Alcohol Abuse Affects Relationships With Children

When it comes to the effects of alcoholism on families, children tend to be the most severely affected. Young children do not even understand what addiction is. All they will see is that your behaviour is changing in ways that they cannot process. 

A lot of children internalize the struggles they see going on around them. In the absence of an explanation for a parent’s altered behaviour, they may regard these changes as a punishment. 

How alcohol abuse affects relationships with children is that it can have long-term implications for your relationship with your child. Also, it can add to the strain in your relationship with the child’s other parent as you clash over parenting issues.

In addition, children of addicted parents can suffer in the following ways:

  • They are at high risk of becoming victims of child abuse, or of witnessing incidents of domestic abuse
  • They may suffer from malnourishment and other forms of neglect as addicted parents put alcohol before their family responsibilities
  • Emotional trauma can result in children and youths running away from home, dropping out of school, or engaging in delinquent behaviour
  • Children of addicted parents are up to four times more likely than children of non-addicted parents to become addicts themselves

The Effects Of Alcoholism On Friendships

The Effects Of Alcoholism On Friendships

We’ve all heard the old saying: that “opposites attract”. Hence, is true that people who are reserved and introverted can have close friendships with those who are outgoing and adventurous. These differences in personality can create a balance, and bring out the best in both people. 

But regardless of how different two friends might seem, they do tend to share basic values. They are attracted to each other by the things they value in themselves. In light of this, the tension between friends is how alcohol abuse affects this kind of relationship. When one of then starts to behave in a way that contradicts those values, tensions between friends can arise.

Some long-standing friendships are able to weather the storm. When you have been friends with someone for a long time, you are more invested in the outcome of their addiction. You have a long shared history that you want to preserve. In a sense, you are more like family than friends.

But not all friendships have the benefit of history. So, if someone with an addiction starts to treat their friend in an abusive manner, that person may cut ties with the addict for the sake of their own self-preservation. 

If the addict commits to alcohol addiction treatment, some friendships can be rebuilt. But a lot of times, the crumbling of a friendship is a permanent loss that hurts both people.

How To Know If Alcohol Abuse is Affecting Your Relationships

One of the most challenging aspects of alcohol addiction is that you, the addict, may not realize that you have a problem. Being addicted to alcohol does not make you a bad person, but it can affect your judgment and make you behave in ways that are hurtful to the ones you love.

If you are wondering whether alcohol abuse may be driving a wedge between you and your friends and family members, ask yourself these questions:

  • Have my loved ones stopped confiding in me about their problems?
  • Do my loved ones frequently have to rescue me from tricky situations?
  • Have I been hiding my drinking from my family and friends?
  • Has my significant other cut off my access to a joint bank account because of my drinking?
  • Have friends and family members asked me to stop drinking?
  • Do I prefer to drink rather than spend time with loved ones?
  • Do I get angry with my family members after I have been drinking?
  • Do my loved ones feel sad when I’m around them?
  • Have I ever asked a friend or family member to lie on my behalf, for example, when I miss a day of work due to drinking?

If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may need to evaluate whether you have an alcohol abuse problem.

What Support Is Available For Loved Ones Of Alcohol Addicts?

At 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre, we provide comprehensive support not only to the person who is addicted to alcohol, but to family members and close friends as well. The supports available to loved ones include the following:

  • Family counselling, where you and your loved ones are guided through the process of rebuilding any relationships that can be salvaged, and moving on in a positive way from the ones that are irreparable
  • Opportunities for loved ones to visit inpatient alcohol addiction treatment clients, so they can see the progress that is being made
  • Information about Al Anon groups, and other support organizations for friends and family members of people with alcohol addictions
  • Education sessions and workshops that provide opportunities for loved ones to learn more about addiction and some positive ways in which they can support the addict

To start the process of healing from addiction, whether for yourself or for an addicted loved one, call us at 855-601-0555.

Related article: What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse, Dependence And Addiction?

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Alcohol Addiction

Drinking Too Much? Here’s How To Know

Most of us are well aware of the dangers of excessive drinking and alcohol addiction. Consuming too much alcohol over a period of time can lead to a variety of physical health concerns, including liver disease, stroke, cardiac arrest, high blood pressure, digestive problems, and several cancers.

Physical health is not the only thing that is affected by the need for alcohol addiction treatment. There is also the fact that alcohol can make people engage in high-risk behaviour, for instance, while driving a car. This can lead to anything ranging from a minor fender bender on your way home from a party to the loss of innocent lives.

People who are drunk may also become violent, especially if they already had a predisposition to anger. In addition to impaired driving offences and the charges that can stem from that, alcohol consumption can trigger incidents of domestic violence, assault, breaking and entering, and many other forms of criminal activity.

But How Much Is Too Much?

How Much Is Too Much
Most people who consume alcohol do so with the intention of being moderate. We don’t see the harm in getting home from work and having one or two beers to relax. From time to time, we’ll go to a wedding or a dinner party and drink more than we normally would, but as long as we don’t drive afterwards, and as long as excessive drinking does not become a regular habit, we tell ourselves that we are nowhere near that zone of “drinking too much”.

Some researchers, however, estimate that as many as one-third of adults drink excessively, many of them without realizing it.

How do they arrive at this number?

The first thing to clarify is what constitutes a unit of alcohol. In general, “a drink” consists of 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1 ½ ounce of hard liquor, like whisky or vodka.

How much you can drink without it being considered excessive depends on several factors, such as your biological sex, your weight, the presence of any medical conditions, and medications that you are taking. 

If you wanted to know exactly what your specific alcohol consumption limits are, you would need to talk to your doctor. This way, you can accurately determine whether there is a need for addiction treatment.

But based on adult population averages, it is generally thought that for biological females, eight drinks or more per week is excessive. For biological males, that number is fifteen drinks or more per week.

Many people would agree that this is not a lot. An adult female who has a small glass of wine every evening plus an extra glass on Saturday nights is technically drinking to excess.

It would appear, though, that most people who drink a single glass of wine with their dinner do not necessarily consume more than that when they are out. Most excessive drinking takes the form of bingeing, where the individual consumes four drinks or more per occasion.

The Distinction Between Excess Drinking And Alcohol Addiction

It is important to note that the vast majority of people who drink to excess are not addicted to alcohol. They do not experience withdrawal symptoms when they do not drink, and they do not show signs of developing an increased tolerance for alcohol. 

Nor do they experience cravings when they do not have access to alcohol. They may simply have difficulty saying no to more when they have already had one or two drinks.

Even where alcohol consumption results in the commission of a crime, it should not be assumed that the individual is an alcoholic. It should not even be assumed that they have consumed more than what is considered “moderate”. 

All it takes for an incident to happen is for the person to drink more than their body can handle and then do something risky without realizing that they are endangering themselves or someone else.

Alcohol Addiction is Not All About The Numbers

The legal system places a lot of stock in numbers – in other words, the blood alcohol content. And that is reasonable: with alcohol affecting people in such different ways, there has to be some way of quantifying how much is “too much” from a legal standpoint.

But we need to remember that it’s not only about the numbers. We can also measure excess drinking by how we respond when we consume alcohol, and perhaps more tellingly, how we respond when we don’t have alcohol.

Related article: Can I Drink Alcohol While on Birth Control?

How Do I Know That I’m Drinking Too Much?

How Do I Know That I’m Drinking Too Much

If you are concerned about your alcohol consumption, that alone might give you pause to look at reducing your alcohol intake. 

But there are several questions you can ask yourself to get an idea of whether there’s a need for alcohol addiction treatment. These questions, which apply to the previous twelve months, are as follows:

  • Have I had times when I had more drinks than I intended, or drank for longer than I planned to?
  • Have I tried unsuccessfully to either cut back on my alcohol use or to quit entirely?
  • Have I felt strong cravings to drink alcohol?
  • Has it ever taken a long time for me to recover from the effects of alcohol?
  • Has alcohol consumption interfered with my ability to go to work or school, or to meet family obligations?
  • Have I consumed alcohol in spite of it affecting my relationships with loved ones?
  • Have I stopped participating in activities that are important to me so I could drink instead?
  • Have I engaged in potentially risky behaviour after drinking, such as driving or operating machinery?
  • Have I continued to drink in spite of feeling sad, anxious or sick?
  • Have I needed to drink more to gain the same effects?
  • Have I experienced withdrawal symptoms as a result of not having access to alcohol?

What Should I Do If I Am Drinking Excessively?

There are people who would say that you should simply stop drinking, but this is not easy for everyone. In fact, if you are a very heavy user of alcohol, quitting without medical supervision is not recommended.

Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How To Avoid Alcohol After Recovery