Alcoholism and Treatment in Charleston, SC
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that impacts brain function and affects behavior. The condition is marked by compulsive drinking that continues regardless of the physical, mental and personal consequences. People who suffer from alcoholism may have attempted to stop drinking without success; treatment is essential to tackle both the physical and psychological components of the condition.
The Need for Treatment
The National Institute on Drug Abuse makes it clear that overcoming an addiction isn’t a matter of willpower. Addiction affects various centers of the brain and alters the brain’s chemistry; individuals with alcoholism who try to stop drinking on their own are rarely successful. A comprehensive Charleston alcoholism treatment plan can break the vicious cycle of relapse by addressing the underlying factors that may be influencing an addiction. During the rehab process, clients learn how to replace self-destructive thoughts and behaviors with positive ones, and they develop coping techniques to address the triggers that might result in relapse.
Treating the Whole Person
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there’s no single path to recovery – it’s a highly individual process through which people strive to make changes in all aspects of their lives. A good Charleston treatment program tailors their therapeutic approach to a client’s unique needs, providing a combination of both conventional and alternative therapies that probe the issues that often contribute to addiction. Clients change their thought patterns, let go of long-held faulty beliefs, learn how to cope with stress and cravings, and enhance their self-esteem.
A holistic approach to alcoholism treatment addresses more than just the addiction– it also provides access to important services including medical care, mental health treatment, job training, housing assistance and legal help. These services help clients lay the proper foundation for their new life in recovery.
Addiction experts agree that a combination of psychotherapy, behavior modification and medication is the most effective way to treat an addiction. Medications administered during treatment will vary depending on the specific substance of abuse; in cases of alcoholism, naloxone is often used to minimize cravings, and Campral is administered to boost the brain’s levels of GABA. The neurotransmitter GABA is responsible for feelings of well-being and a sense of relaxation, and alcohol addiction is known to impair the brain’s ability to produce this chemical on its own.
Preventing a Relapse
Like most forms of addiction treatment, the goal of alcoholism rehab is complete abstinence. In treatment, clients gain a better understanding of the nature of addiction and learn how they can handle the triggers and stresses that may lead them back into alcohol use.
Although long-term recovery from alcoholism is possible, the relapse rates for the disease are about the same as those for other chronic conditions such as diabetes. About 40 to 60 percent of people who are treated for alcohol addiction will experience a relapse at some point. It’s important to remember that a relapse isn’t a sign that treatment was a failure; instead, it should be viewed as an opportunity to identify the feelings and situations that triggered the lapse and reinforce the coping skills needed to deal with them.
Even if it takes more than one course of treatment to achieve long-term recovery, the benefits are well worth it – people who complete alcoholism treatment boost their self-esteem, learn how to handle the temptation to drink, develop a sense of purpose and increase their overall quality of life. Charleston Drug Treatment Centers can help you start your recovery journey today. Just give our recovery advocates a call at (843) 480-9956 to begin.