The consumption of alcohol is legal in almost every part of the world. However, alcohol is a double-edged sword. If you consume it within certain limits, it has some beneficial effects. But if you overindulge, you risk developing a mental health disorder. Alcohol use disorder is a mental illness that makes you dependent on alcohol. If you develop this disorder, you will find it difficult to be functional without drinking.
Studies indicate that over 50% of American teenagers have drunk alcohol. Some of these teenagers will likely end up becoming alcoholics. We ought not to vilify them, instead, we should learn how to help an alcoholic with alcohol detox programs. This will put us in a better position to help those individuals with their recovery.
Indicators of Alcoholism
Before you learn how to help an alcoholic, you need to know how to identify one. Since drinking is acceptable in society, telling who is an alcoholic can be difficult. Some people seem to drink a lot yet they are perfectly functional. The important thing to understand is that alcoholism is a mental health disorder.
So just like any other illness, a diagnosis is the only sure way to establish alcoholism in a person. However, alcoholics exhibit certain signs that point towards their illness. These signs are common among many alcoholics.
Signs of alcoholism include:
- Continuous drinking despite having legal, social, or even economic problems as a result of the drinking
- Violent behavior when questioned about drinking habits – an alcoholic would rather play the victim and blame everyone else for their troubles
- Beginning to miss work, family, and social events just to drink
- Losing the ability to control alcohol intake thus developing high tolerance which pushes a person to drink further
- Becoming a loner and creating many excuses to drink
If you exhibit such symptoms, you need to visit an alcohol addiction treatment center. The doctors will perform tests to establish if you have an alcohol use disorder.
How to Help an Alcoholic
Alcoholics may not be willing to accept their condition. This makes it difficult for them to seek help. It is for this reason that sometimes we have to intervene. It might be a friend or a family member who needs our help and that is exactly what we should give them.
The first step is to always talk to the alcoholic gently. You should not make them feel guilty about their condition or accuse them. Instead, get them to open up and establish if they are open to the idea of a treatment plan. Afterward, you can research some addiction treatment facility that is suitable for the person suffering from alcohol abuse. Involve the person in this process. Their involvement motivates them a great deal.
Treatment Programs at Midwest Detox Center
Our detox center in Ohio understands that a one-size-fits-all approach cannot work on every person dealing with alcohol addiction. Hence the reason why the detox center has a variety of programs for their patients.
These programs include:
- Men’s and women’s detox programs: Separating men and women during detox helps them open up about gender-specific problems.
- Group therapy program: Sharing experiences among peers helps individuals understand they are not alone. Peers learn from each other, practice coping skills, and support each other.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This program establishes the underlying causes of alcoholism. After understanding the causes, doctors can recommend a suitable treatment plan for the patient.
- Alumni program: This program helps individuals stay connected and active in recovery after leaving treatment.
Get in Touch with Us
Being an alcoholic does not mean it’s over for you or your loved one. You can overcome it together by enrolling in a suitable healthcare facility. We should not let the stigma of alcoholism destroy our recovery efforts. Contact Midwest Detox Center today at 833.647.0392 and we will help you and your loved one recover.
