Staying On The Path Of Alcohol Recovery
Individuals who have problems with alcoholism often deny the existence of their problem. Some individuals are able to get past the denial stage and find themselves searching for change. This is crucial since acceptance is the 1st step towards recovery. There are however, many people who undergo treatment against their own will. These individuals may enter therapy as part of a law requirement and punishment. Some enter treatment because concerned families and friends stepped in to intervene.
The stages of alcohol recovery generally consist of four stages. These stages include treatment initiation, first phase abstinence, continuing abstinence, and advanced stage recovery. These stages were developed by the National Institute of Drug Abuse in one of its guide to health care providers. Understanding these four stages gives awareness on the treatment development that patients go through. Families and other concerned loved ones are able to understand the whole treatment process being done in alcohol rehabilitation centers.
As mentioned earlier, acceptance of the problem is considered as the 1st stage of recovery. Those who are compelled to enter alcohol treatment programs may feel distant and indifferent. Seeking professional help is in itself a first step towards recovery regardless of choice. Counselors provide patients with direct and correct information of the alcohol problem the patient has. Details of the entire program are given as well as making goals. The 2nd stage of recovery involves early abstinence. Once the individual has made a commitment to stay and continue treatment, he enters the 2nd stage of first phase abstinence. It’s during this time that alcohol withdrawal effects are greatly felt. Counselors provide many coping strategies in order to avoid consumption of alcohol beverages. Long-term alcoholics may have to undergo inpatient detoxification to control the effects of withdrawal.
After three months of abstinence from alcohol, patients move on to the next stage of recovery called continuous abstinence. Confidence has been developed on controlled cravings for alcohol. Those who have been enrolled in a center will be discharged from the center during this stage. Continuous counseling is provided and the focus of counseling in this stage is on relapse prevention. Greater autonomy for patients is also given during this stage of recovery. The 4th and final stage of the recovery process is advanced phase recovery. An individual is considered to fall under this stage after five years of continuous rehabilitation. An individual who has reached this stage is considered well equipped with coping against addiction to alcohol, a better citizen in the community, a better parent and family member, and a productive worker.
