Alcohol dependency issues have always wreaked havoc with families and when the time comes for the individual to join a treatment program, the family usually has unusual expectations out of alcohol treatment facilities. Alcohol treatment may prove to be significantly effective in a number of cases. However, extensive research work has revealed that only a very little percentage of the alcoholics and substance addicts actually remain sober till 365 days after the treatment. When you think of alcoholics, you cannot categorize them in a group of people with a serious disease, which has a difficult cure. As alcoholism or alcoholic dependency is more of a personality disorder, what happens is that during the treatment the alcoholic is altering his/her personality, his outlook on life in general.

On a broad spectrum, you can compare the symptoms of alcohol dependency to that of any chronic medical condition. Though the damage done is through an external agent, namely alcohol, removing alcohol out of the body does not solve even half the problem. As mentioned, since alcoholism is more of a personality disorder, medication can only help support the system to an extent. A major chunk of the treatment involves psychological training and counseling. Detoxing the mind and detoxing the body, simultaneously is needed. Obviously, in treatment, the patient is restricted to any access to alcohol. Abstaining from alcohol use over a prolonged period of time is only half the treatment. The success of alcohol treatment is determined by the willingness of the patient to abstain from alcohol use even when he has full access to alcohol.

However, it is necessary to remember one thing in this context. When it comes to alcohol treatment a lot of seriously addicted patients tend to relapse on occasional instances. This may range from one to a number of times, before they can finally manage to achieve an extended phase of sobriety that actually exists for a significant period of time. Relapses are a common phenomenon in the process of alcohol treatment. Relapses can never be counted as a failure of treatment. Remember, that alcoholism treatment is basically about rebuilding the person, physiologically and psychologically. It is and should be a slow and cumbersome process.

A relapse puts a lot of things in perspective for both the facility providing the treatment and the individual undergoing the treatment. It gives an outline of things to come and what has been achieved by the treatment provided so far. Therefore, relapses need to be considered as milestones rather than a point of failure. Relapses by chance do not mean that the person is unable to recover from the addiction. It also does not mean that he or she is incapable of sobriety. In case a relapse takes place, it is the responsibility of the health care providers to put things in perspective for the patient, help him realize his mistake and re-align the patient’s priorities. They should also be given access to a full and strong support system from family, friends, or even a therapist with whom the patient can bond easily. One of the most important aspects of treatment is to ensure the patient believes he or she is not fighting this battle alone, that there are people who care about them and are with them all the way through.

Quite a large number of the patients tend to stop drinking alcohol and remain sober with serious intention. Though their treatment process will be fairly easier to handle for health care personnel, the family and loved ones of the individual need to be monitoring such people as they are equally susceptible to the consequences of a relapse. They require special attention at all times and loads of support and encouragement for what they have achieved. The fact that they have remained sober for an extended period of time should not be projected as a great achievement as the ultimate aim of any alcohol treatment program is to ensure that if not total abstinence from alcohol for the rest of one’s life, at least a total control over their alcohol consumption is achieved. There will always be the group who show no signs of recovery. Such individuals never show the desire to change their lifestyle and lose the battle without a fight. However, one thing can be said about alcohol treatment. With the right kind of treatment and the longer period of abstinence, the period of sobriety is expected to increase as well.

 

 

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