Introduction
The goal of the treatment for alcoholism should be abstinence.
Alcoholics with good health, motivation and social support have high recovery likelihood.
Alcoholics with poor support systems, low motivation or psychiatric anomalies are more likely to relapse.
Success is quantified through the length of abstinence periods, reduced alcohol use, improved social behavior and better health.
Treatment for alcoholism
The hardest step for the alcoholic is deciding to make the change.
Treatment for alcohol abuse should begin by acceptance of the problem.
After acceptance, the alcoholic should stop drinking and practice sobriety (NIH n.p).
Treatment for alcoholism may take a behavioral approach, medication approach or both.
Treatment has three stages: Detoxification, Rehabilitation and maintenance of sobriety.
Detoxification
It is the supervised process of allowing the body to get rid of the drug substance.
It involves withdrawal which can be done immediately or gradually.
Withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures and delirium tremens (DT) may result.
A medical professional should treat the withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms may take varying lengths of time depending on the extent of alcoholism.
Medication may be used to control withdrawal symptoms.
Rehabilitation
Detoxification does not reduce the longing for alcohol and maintaining recovery is a challenge.
Rehabilitation is the process of medications and counseling meant to providing the alcoholic with the skills required to remain sober (NIH n.p).
Counseling and medication enable the individual adjust to the absence of alcohol in the system.
This may be an inpatient or outpatient process since both are effective.
Maintaining sobriety
The addict must understand that alcoholism is curable.
Support systems such as groups for alcoholics, family and friends help by assisting the individual.
Behavioral therapies may also make treatment and counseling effective.
These help people change their perceptions on cravings (NIH n.p).
Conclusion
The objective in fighting alcoholism is abstinence.
This process starts with acceptance of the problem by the individual.
Medicinal and behavioral approaches to treatment may be used (NIH n.p).
Detoxification does not reduce the longing for alcohol and maintaining recovery is a challenge.
Rehabilitation through counseling and medication enable the individual to adjust to the absence of alcohol in the system.
Work Cited
NIH. "Prescription and Illicit Drug Abuse." NIH Senior Health: Version 1. NIH Senior Health: 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://nihseniorhealth.gov/drugabuse/trea
