Residential Alcohol Abuse Programs
By Kevin
Stith
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Alcohol abuse is the excessive
consumption of alcohol disregarding the detrimental
consequences on the mind and body. If a person regularly
consumes alcohol to get mental relief, then he is an alcohol
abusive drinker and not an alcohol addict.
While it is possible to convince an abusive drinker of his
detrimental condition and impel him to go in for treatment, the
same can be a tough job as far as an addict is concerned. One of
the primary causes of alcohol abuse is stress, which can be of two
types- developmental and situational. Complete cure of an abusive
drinker is possible, provided it is identified and treated at an
early stage.
| Does drinking strong coffee or
taking a cold shower have an effect on the person who is drunk? The
answer is yes — the result being an alert, cold, and wet drunk.
Time, and only time can "sober up" an
individual. |
There are many options available to an alcohol abusive drinker,
who is looking for means to deal with this problem. There is no
dearth of good and reasonable rehab centers, located all over the
country. Many hospitals and nursing homes even offer Residential
Alcohol Abuse Programs.
| People who are experiencing
alcohol withdrawal symptoms should not treat these symptoms at
home. Instead, they need to seek medical assistance
immediately so that their doctor, urgent care center personnel,
healthcare provider, or emergency room personnel can assess the
severity of their withdrawal symptoms and initiate the best option
for treatment. |
What gives a residential program that slight edge over other
treatment programs is the round the clock care and supervision that
it offers. It provides food, lodging, rehabilitation, training,
education and treatment, outside a person's own home. These
programs are useful for those who lack a stable home environment.
In some of the American states, such programs are supported by
public funds.
| Various studies have
demonstrated that inpatient detoxification programs are longer
lasting and more effective than outpatient detox programs.
The significant issue here, however, is the following: the
more severe the alcohol-related withdrawal symptoms, the more
likely that inpatient detoxification programs should be
used. |
There is a short-term residential
treatment program, which is an intensive but a relatively
brief residential treatment, based on the 12-step approach. It
involves 3 to 6 weeks of treatment in the hospital, followed
by outpatient therapy and participation in a self-help alcohol
group.
There are different types of models, which can be adopted in a
residential program, but the most popular one is the therapeutic
community. Usually the long-term programs are recommended for those
abusive drinkers who have suffered a relapse, following a primary
treatment or short-term program. Length of stay is determined by
the client's response to the treatment and the progress being made
by him.
| There are hundreds of alcohol
screening tests available, including many detailed examinations
with dozens of questions. In recent years, shorter tests have been
developed to encourage screening for alcohol problems in urgent
care centers and primary healthcare settings, which have been shown
to be excellent opportunities to reduce harmful drinking with brief
interventions. |
These programs try to focus on the re-socialization of the
individual to an alcohol free and productive lifestyle, to help
them regain control over their lives and get back their lost
self-confidence. Most of the patients who come for such treatments
have been mentally and emotionally scarred and need extra care and
supervision. These programs have proven to be a successful form of
treatment because the client is allowed to recover in a structured
setting which is alcohol, drug and tobacco free.
Alcohol Abuse
provides detailed information on Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Abuse
Treatment, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Abuse Effects and more.
Alcohol Abuse is affiliated with Signs Of
Alcoholism.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Stith
| According to prison demographics
and statistics, approximately 75% of all U.S. prisoners in 1997
were involved in some sort of drug or alcohol abuse immediately
before they committed their crimes. This statistic immediately
raises two issues. First, it is very probable that many of
the above referenced criminals were not only alcohol and drug
abusers, but also addicts. Therefore, a more relevant and
upgraded alcohol and drug prevention and education program in our
school systems, places of employment, and in our social service
agencies may have gone a long way in helping these individuals with
their addictions BEFORE they became criminals. Second, it is
asserted that while these substance abusers and addicts are in
prison, they should receive mandatory drug and alcohol counseling
and rehab. Addiction treatment will become beneficial for
these individuals while they are incarcerated and also when they
finish serving their time and re-enter
society. |
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