Essay on
Treatment of Alcoholism
Alcoholism is seen as of the most common
psychiatric disorders. Eight to fourteen percent of the population are
estimated to be affected by this disorder. This psychiatric disorder is also
often accompanied by other substance abuse disorders, antisocial personality
disorder and mood and anxiety disorder. Alcoholism as defined by the American Medical Association is “an illness
characterized by significant impairment that is directly associated with
persistent and excessive use of alcohol. Impairment may involve physiological,
psychological or social dysfunction” (Mascott. 2006)
Despite being associated with a lot of health problems
and psychiatric disorders, alcoholism often goes unrecognized in a clinical
health care setting but once this issue had been recognized, alcoholism should
be best address primarily by abstinence from alcohol, getting assessment and
seeking for treatment on the underlying factors that trigger the want for
alcohol. According to Gold (2006), the treatment of alcoholism can be briefly
seen as having four general phases: (1) getting started through the assessment
and evaluation of the symptoms of alcoholism and recognition of the life
problems and making treatment choices, (2) detoxification (total abstinence
from alcohol), (3) Active treatment through residential treatment, therapeutic
communities, medications, 12-step programs, mutual help groups and intensive
regular outpatient treatment and lastly, (4) maintaining sobriety and relapse
prevention.
On getting started, the person who is experiencing
alcoholism and the other impairments that come with it should openly admit his
problem and be entirely willing in seeking for treatment. The alcoholic person
should also have a strong desire in finally quitting drinking. The willingness
of the person to change his behaviour towards alcohol is the very important
part in starting the treatment and also in determining the success of
overcoming this disease. Also, in this
stage, it is very important to seek the help of the people who are
knowledgeable in various treatments involved and can help them find the best
option for them.
The detoxification stage usually takes place around four to seven days in
a controlled setting most usually a rehabilitation center where certain
medications are used to treat the withdrawal symptoms. Many alcoholics develop
very dangerous withdrawal symptom that is why it is very important to manage a
person’s detoxification in the hospital or rehabilitation facility. Also in
this stage, the doctor evaluates and treats the related physical and
psychological problems that usually include liver disease, anxiety and
depression.
In active treatment, the help of professionals who have the knowledge
regarding the disorder can help a person to better understand how the misuse of
alcohol affects their health and their lives. Through their help, people with
alcoholism can develop plans to stay sober and undergo on the best treatments
for them. Active treatments can be found in rehabilitation programs which
usually include education, group counselling and on-going medical care. Support
groups are also very important in this stage. The emotional support provided by
the families, models and sponsors to alcoholics can serve as a great
inspiration to them that can help them be more committed to quitting alcohol.
Medications can also be prescribed in decreasing the alcohol cravings.
Lastly,
in maintaining sobriety and relapse prevention, the person who has undergone
active treatments is already seen as comfortable in the treatments and help
that he is receiving and his will to stay sober is not much of a challenge
anymore. People who are trying to maintain being sober often finds it helpful
to join participation or support group for alcoholics.
Alcoholism is a life-long disease and it could relapse and even worsen so
it is very important for a person suffering from this disease to seek for treatment
early on. The problem on alcoholism can be successfully treated with the brief
intervention of professionals and physicians. According to Enoch and Goldman
(2002), alcoholism can also be treated with a variety of psychosocial methods.
They also stated that it is very important to have a detailed assessment of
alcoholism of patients in order to come up with better treatment for every
case.
Works cited
Enoch, M & Goldman,
D. (2006). Problem Drinking and Alcoholism: Diagnosis and Treatment. American
Family Physician. 65 (3)441-449.
Gold, M. (2006).
Treatment of Alcoholism. Psych Central. Retrieved on February 25, 2013, from
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/treatment-of-alcoholism/
Mascott, C. (2006). An
Introduction to Alcoholism. Psych Central. Retrieved on February 25, 2013, from
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/alcoholism-and-its-treatment/
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