What is Alcoholism Intervention Like?

It is a serious matter when the family of someone undertakes alcoholism intervention. Intervention must be entered in with counsel from a professional who thoroughly understands the disease, alcoholism. Intervention includes family members and friends of the person as well as the person him/herself suspected of suffering from alcoholism. This individual is confronted with the evidence of alcoholism including the symptoms that others have witnessed the individual experiencing. Sometimes the legal process initiates the intervention if the individual was in trouble with the law and the incident was alcohol-related.

The intervention is a confrontation between those who are concerned about the individual and feel the need for medical diagnosis and treatment of the symptoms of alcoholism and the person with the alcohol problem. The goal of intervention is that the confrontation and evidence of symptoms of alcoholism along with the consequences of drinking is to convince the individual that help is needed in order to prevent further damage to his/her health, relieve the symptoms of alcoholism and to prevent further damage to finances, relationships or work-related issues, and possibly to stop further alcohol related violence or brushes with the law.

There are steps that can be taken that will facilitate a successful alcohol intervention that are outlined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism they include the following:

Those who care about the person with alcoholism need to stop making excuses for the individual (shielding him or her from the consequences of their alcohol-related actions) so that the individual can experience the full impact of the alcohol-related behavior.

Interventions to be successful need to be timed correctly usually immediately after a alcohol-related problem such as a traffic accident, major run-in with the law, or an incidence of domestic or other violence that is alcohol-related. The timing is important because the individual needs to feel the full impact of the consequences of his/her drinking and be able to relate the consequences with the drinking in an undisputable manner.

The individual should be sober when the intervention takes place. It is imperative that all persons remain as calm as possible during the intervention and that the intervention be done in private with those involved in the intervention meeting before the intervention to discuss the need for the intervention and to come with a plan for how to proceed with the intervention and who will be involved in the intervention.

There should be very specific examples of the alcohol-related incidents that caused problems with others, or with the law, finances, relationships etc., and facts should be discussed not opinions.

It should be made clear the steps that will be taken to protect all those who are involved if the person should decide not to seek professional help for the alcoholism.

It should also be made clear that the intervention and the necessary medical treatment are not punishment for having alcoholism but that the treatment is necessary to help the individual recover from the disease of alcoholism.

Those participating in the intervention should arrive at the intervention with information about available treatment programs in the area, preferably with an appointment already made at the treatment facility should the individual agree to get help for the alcoholism.

Those who care about the individual should offer to accompany the individual to the treatment program for the initial appointment.

It is important not to give up if the first attempt at an alcohol intervention is met with resistance or is unsuccessful.

Interventions are usually successful if they are conducted in a compassionate and nonjudgmental manner with clear, concise evidence of how the alcohol related behavior is harming the individual and/or others.

It is also imperative that interventions be planned and that they have the guidance of a professional who is experienced in substance abuse.

There are many support groups available for the individual and family members to utilize including Al-Anon, and Alateen.

Treatment Options for the One Suffering From Alcoholism

It is not easy to overcome addiction to any drug and alcohol is a drug that to too many individuals becomes a habit that is not easy to stop because of the strong cravings for alcohol that they experience. It is a difficult task to become sober and to stay sober. A task that requires strong support from as many people as possible and one that requires professional assistance. There are many treatment options open to the person has agreed to undergo treatment for alcoholism. Treatment typically includes detoxification, recovery, support and treatment.

Typically there is an event that triggers the acceptance that treatment is required. The drinker must come to this realization and accept the need for treatment if he/she is to be successful. Being forced to accept treatment usually leads to failure and more problems. Interventions are often planned and executed in an attempt to force a drinker into realizing and accepting that alcoholism has claimed his/her life and that if treatment is not started they are headed for serious health, psychological and emotional consequences. Some of these events may include the boss giving an ultimatum that they get treatment for alcoholism or they are fired, a spouse giving the choice between treatment or divorce, being locked up for vehicular homicide after getting behind the wheel and driving drunk or filing bankruptcy or foreclosure on a home due to financial problems caused directly from drinking alcohol. One or more of the events listed may have occurred before the individual is brought to the realization that treatment is the only option besides going further and further into hell which may ultimately lead to the drinker’s own death from suicide or health issues such as a heart attack or liver failure.

When someone suffers from the disease alcoholism, medical treatment is required in order to find relief from withdrawal symptoms that can include cravings, elevated blood pressure, headaches, nausea, rapid heart rate, shakes, sweats, and vomiting. The detoxification process should be one that is medically monitored for an individual with alcoholism because detoxing without medical monitoring can be dangerous for the drinker. The process of detoxification can at times be done on an outpatient basis but is usually done on an inpatient basis or at an alcohol treatment facility that is set up for safely monitoring and supporting the process.

There are many support groups locally and online that is geared for alcoholics such as Alcoholics Anonymous. AA meetings are free and are run by fellow addicts who can have empathy and give support because they have been there themselves and totally understand the process of becoming sober and staying sober. AA has a 12-step program that those in the AA program follow to help them on the journey to recovering from alcoholism or alcohol abuse.

The drinker that has the support of fellow drinkers, family, friends and the community through support programs is more likely to be successful.

What is Alcoholism Withdrawal?

There is a serious condition that is associated with the disease alcoholism that is called, alcoholism withdrawal. This condition occurs after a person with the disease alcoholism drinks excessively over a long period of time and then suddenly alcohol is not available or alcohol is denied. There are physical and psychological symptoms of alcoholism withdrawal that range from mild to severe and can even be life threatening. A person should not go through alcoholism withdrawal without medical monitoring as not monitoring the health condition of the individual going through alcoholism withdrawal could result in serious health situations that could end in death.

These withdrawal symptoms usually begin about twelve hours after the last drop of alcohol has been consumed. Alcoholism withdrawal symptoms will peak in two to three days and may last for as long as a week or more in duration. The individual may undergo sleep disturbances, fatigue, mood changes and others that may last for up to twelve months or even longer. Alcoholism withdrawal is serious business and must not be undergone alone or without medical assistance and monitoring. If you know someone who is experiencing withdrawal symptoms it is best to get them to an emergency room or alcohol treatment center where they can receive the medical assistance they need to go through the process safely.

Mild to moderate physical symptoms of alcoholism withdrawal may include:

• Headache
• Pulsating
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tremors

Mild to moderate psychological symptoms may include:

• Anxiety
• Bad Dreams
• Depression
• Difficulty thinking
• Fatigue
• Feeling Jumpy
• Feeling Shaky

Severe Symptoms:

The severe symptoms of alcoholism withdrawal include abnormal loss of skin color, blackouts, confusion, clammy skin, convulsions, and dilated pupils in the eye, hand tremors, involuntary eyelid movements, and also rapid heartbeat. These severe symptoms can occur anytime after 12-hours from the last alcoholic drink.

It is important to call 911 or contact emergency help if the person is having seizures, is hallucinating, has an irregular heartbeat or a rapid heartbeat, or is severely confused.

Medical treatment:

While in the hospital heavy sedation may be required to lessen the severity of the symptoms. It may take a week or longer for the person to be under sedation in order for the withdrawal symptoms to be over.

If the individuals suffered from hallucinations antipsychotic medications may be administered. If the person had seizures anticonvulsant medication may be given.

Long-term preventative treatment will start to begin a period of time known as detoxification where alcohol is to be avoided and this usually involves the individual being placed in an alcoholism rehabilitation facility or treatment center if not already in one.

Alcoholism withdrawal is a serious condition for a serious alcohol problem and must be treated with the care that is required in order to insure the safety of the individual going through the alcoholism withdrawal.

What is Involved in Alcohol Detoxification?

Detox is the first step that individuals take when being treated for alcoholism. They need to stop drinking alcohol, go through withdrawal symptoms and then begin a program of getting their body used to not having alcohol, which is the period known as detox. Detox is where the treatment and recovery from the disease, alcoholism starts after alcohol is out of the system. The process of withdrawal and detoxification can be dangerous for the individual to go through without medical monitoring and treatment. The person suffering from alcoholism should receive professional care from someone qualified in the treatment of alcohol problems.

Typically detox occurs in a medical hospital, or alcohol and drug detox and treatment center that is set up to handle the process. Detoxification can be done on an outpatient basis with typically fewer than 20% requiring admission. It is not unusual though for 50% of those undergoing outpatient detox to be admitted for inpatient treatment.

The process of withdrawaling from alcohol when a person is an alcoholic is a severe process and can be medically dangerous, even life threatening.

The withdrawal symptoms can be recognized by others because the individual will have the shakes, hand tremors, headaches, nausea and vomiting, sweating, will be anxious or restless, have a loss of appetite, be experiencing difficulty sleeping even suffering from insomnia, have delirium tremens (DTs), perhaps even have convulsions or be hyperactive.

Severe symptoms can include hallucinations, convulsions, seizures and rapid heartbeats and high blood pressure. This is why most who undergo withdrawal and detox need to do so as an inpatient.

Those who definitely should go through the process as an inpatient include those who have a history of severe withdrawal symptoms from past attempt to detox, those with a history of alcohol related withdrawal seizures or DTs, anyone who has had more than one past detoxifications or who has a medical history of chronic disease, medical problems or psychiatric illness. Individuals who have had recent high levels of drinking episodes or those who do not have a good dependable support system already in place and those women who are pregnant should have detox done as an inpatient for their safety.

During the withdrawal process and detoxification medications may be required such as anticonvulsants and antipsychotic drugs that can only be prescribed by a physician. Detox can be a long process that may take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks or more to complete. Some side effects from withdrawal and detox can last for as long as 12-months.

Just because an individual goes through the detoxification process is not a guarantee that they won’t start drinking alcohol again. Relapses are common for those suffering from alcoholism. Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease in which there is no cure and the individual will have the disease for a lifetime. Staying sober when an alcoholic is very difficult and requires support from those around him/her.

You Are Going To An Alcoholic Treatment Center for the First Time What Can You Expect?

You may have just gone through an intervention, or been court-ordered to attend, or just received the diagnosis of alcoholism. No matter how you arrived at this time in your life you are about to enter an alcoholic treatment center for the first time. Life is full of first times from the moment we take our first breath until we take our last. Not everyone has to face this particular first, but here you are facing entering a treatment center for alcoholics for the first time. You are nervous and just a little unsure about what to expect. You may have heard stories or read about celebrities in treatment centers but what is it really like for someone like you?

There are several important sections that you will be encountering once you enter the treatment center they include the checking-in process, the psychological assessment, the medical assessment, detoxification, individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, family counseling, aftercare and then there is the encouragement to join a local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group for continued support.

The checking-in process:

A staff member of the admissions department will meet you in the lobby of the facility and have you fill out paperwork. Your insurance information will be assessed.

You will be shown to your room in the treatment center. Be prepared to have someone go through your personal belonging. This will be done to be sure that you did not bring anything that you shouldn’t have in the treatment center. You should have been given instructions about the things you are allowed to bring and the things you should not bring when you registered for admission to the treatment center or when someone registered you on your behalf. Unless you were told to bring prescription medications it is never appropriate to bring any medications or herbal remedies into the facility. You are obviously never allowed to bring in any products that contain alcohol such as certain mouthwashes.

You will be given a tour of the treatment center so that you can begin to become familiar with the layout and where to locate certain areas that you will be using.

You will start to be introduced to other treatment staff members and others.

The rules of the treatment center will be explained to you and you will be given a copy of these rules.

The psychological assessment involves a counselor whom will take your complete history, and information specific to your alcohol other drug usage. This counselor will assess your mental and emotional states and you may be referred to a staff psychiatrist for additional treatment. It will be determined at this time what if any additional mental health or medical treatment that you require.

A medical assessment is when you are seen by a medical doctor at the treatment center who is responsible for getting a complete medical history from you, completing a physical, prescribing any necessary medications and caring for any physical health needs you may have that are related to your drinking alcohol or any other medical conditions that you have at the time.

Detoxification is when the staff of the treatment center will monitor your withdrawal symptoms you will go through as you go through the period of time when you are not able to consume alcohol in order to recover from your alcoholism symptoms. Your withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, nausea, shakiness and tremors, sweating and other symptoms.

There are several therapies available while you are in the alcohol treatment center including individual therapy, group therapy, educational sessions to complement the therapy and family therapy. All of these sessions are designed to support you as you learn how to manage alcoholism. You will be learning how to cope with new skills to avoid situations where alcohol is present so that you can manage your disease. The family counseling will be done with you and with the family alone and is geared not to embarrass you but to help your family understand alcoholism and what it will be like for you as you learn how to manage your disease.

What is aftercare?

After you are discharged from the alcohol treatment center you will be enrolled in an aftercare program that will most likely consist of weekly sessions. These sessions are designed to continue to support your efforts to control your disease. The staff of the aftercare program will also monitor your efforts. This program is very important to your ongoing success in being able to manage your disease.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):

Your local chapter of AA may be offered as a complement to your treatment program you are about to arrive at and is there to also help you to have continued success handling and coping with all the events and situations you will encounter in your life after being diagnosed with alcoholism and life after the alcoholic treatment center.

Alcoholism Recovery and Treatment

There are many factors to effective alcoholism recovery and treatment typically requiring intensive approaches to address the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the disease. Effective treatment commonly includes intervention to get the individual into treatment, treatment at a residential facility, and later on treatment as an outpatient, psychosocial therapy, and support in peer groups and medication.

Medication is used to complement the other treatment factors and to help achieve treatment objectives quicker. The role of medication is not to cure alcoholism but to ease symptoms including withdrawal symptoms of the disease. Three drugs in particular are commonly used during the course of treatment for alcoholism and include acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. There is no medication that can be given that will help a person to stop drinking alcohol. The medication is only prescribed after the individual has been in a period of abstinence from alcohol and are currently in a treatment program that includes therapy.

Staying sober is paramount to the success of the medication to be effective in alleviating the symptoms experienced by the individual.

Acamproste helps to reduce the physical signs as well as the emotional discomfort that occur when the individual goes through the process of detoxification. Common physical distress and emotional discomfort includes anxiety, sweating, tremors and sleep disturbances.

Disulfiram is used as a deterrent for alcohol usage. If they drink while on the drug they will experience severe reactions including increase in blood pressure, facial flushing, increased heart rate, nausea, throbbing headache, and vomiting.

Naltrexone reduces the craving to drink alcohol by blocking neurotransmitters in the brain so that the person does not feel intoxicated or "high" while drinking alcohol.

Residential treatment programs include a detoxification in which the person will experience symptoms of withdrawal. This period usually lasts for 4 to 7 days. Medications may be used to prevent withdrawal seizures or delirium tremors. After the detoxification period comes the medical assessment and treatment phase. The individual suffering from alcoholism may have medical problems that are related to their alcohol consumption or non-alcohol related medical conditions. The most common medical problems are elevated blood sugar levels, heart and liver disease, and alcohol related high blood pressure.

Psychological support and psychiatric treatment is typically an essential part of the treatment program and continues through as part of the support for recovery. Many of the treatment programs in the larger communities also include therapy for couples and families because the support of the family is a critical part of successful recovery from alcoholism. When a spouse or other significant family member is involved in therapy and supports the individual in a positive manner it increases the chances for a successful recovery from alcoholism.