Knowing if someone you care about has a drinking problem can be tricky. Even though you may recognize signs of addiction, people struggling with addiction become very good at hiding, masking, or dismissing their problematic behaviors. If you experience feelings of guilt after drinking or drinking has become a problem for someone close to you, there are some steps you can take to smooth the path to treatment. Educating yourself—and others—is critical in this process.
Understanding addiction, admitting there’s a problem, getting to the root cause of addiction, and agreeing to a treatment plan are the broad strokes to turning someone’s life around through alcohol rehab. At The Right Step, we understand when drinking becomes a problem and offer treatment options to help you on the road to recovery. Contact us at 17135283709 to learn more.
Recognizing the Signs That Drinking Has Become a Problem
Some things that you can look out for to identify when drinking becomes a problem are the following. In addition, look for clues like hidden empty bottles, uncharacteristic reclusive behavior, or poor performance at work or school.
Binge drinking
If you notice someone’s regular drinking pattern goes from a couple of drinks socially to bingeing multiple beverages a day regularly, this should be a red flag.
Tunnel vision
This is when alcohol is all they can think about. It takes control of everything in their life. The sole focus is on when and where their next drink is coming from. They may start to avoid responsibilities in favor of seeking out alcohol.
No control
Someone whose drinking has become a problem doesn’t have control over their drinking. They may say they can stop at any time or that they’ll only have one drink, but the reality is that they can’t control their dependence.
Withdrawal symptoms
It’ll immediately become apparent that someone who has become entirely dependent on alcohol can’t physically go without it. They’ll show signs of withdrawal that are uncomfortable and can be dangerous.
Understanding Why Alcohol Rehab Is Needed
When drinking alcohol becomes less of a casual occurrence and more of a need to get through everyday life, then it’s time for professional intervention. Alcohol rehab provides a safe and secure environment staffed by trained professionals who can monitor every part of the process, from managing withdrawal symptoms to relapse prevention during recovery.
Alcohol rehab can include:
- Medically supervised detox – In this environment, with round-the-clock support, medical professionals can manage symptoms to ease the discomforts associated with withdrawal and lessen the risk of relapse before therapeutic treatment even starts.
- Behavioral therapies – Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) work to refocus thoughts away from the negative and toward the more positive.
- Experiential therapies – Besides traditional talk and behavioral therapies, therapies like yoga, massage, and equine therapy can be a holistic complement.
- Peer support – Sober support from family, friends, peers, and professionals is critical to a lifelong recovery journey.
- Aftercare – Knowing that there are resources available—like sober living or sober support groups—to clients even after they leave a treatment program can make the transition to a newly sober lifestyle much less overwhelming.
No matter the rehab program you choose, you can customize your treatment experience using therapies that work best for you.
Enroll in Alcohol Rehab at The Right Step Today
When you’ve identified that drinking has become a problem for you or a loved one, the therapeutic team at The Right Step is ready to help. Our team will assist in building a fully personalized treatment plan to address each client’s unique needs and challenges. Although the treatment objectives may be identical, no plans to achieve them will be similar. Contact The Right Step online or call 17135283709 today to get started on a treatment plan that’ll address the root cause of addiction and arm you with the tools needed to live a sober and productive life without the risk of relapse.
