At a men’s alcohol detox center in Hawaii, therapists routinely deal with frustrated clients. They’ve struggled with a drinking problem for a long time. But people told them they were fine and that drinking a little more than others is okay. Of course, this can lead to alcoholism. But is alcoholism a disease, or is it normal? Either way, an alcohol addiction treatment center may be needed.
Dealing with the Confusion Surrounding Chemical Dependency
You might have started using alcohol to unwind in the evenings. Maybe you have an underlying condition and relied on a few drinks to numb yourself. You just wanted to sleep. Perhaps the stress of the home life was more than you could handle.
Hawaii drug rehab center therapists frequently work with men who started drinking more and more. Eventually, their bodies developed tolerance. It’s the precursor to addiction. Some confided in friends or family members.
But they said not to worry. However, they’re not so sure. Is alcoholism a disease, and could they be dealing with it right now?
Is Alcoholism a Disease?
The medical community considers alcoholism to be a chronic brain disease. It’s a form of addiction. Its symptoms are a compulsion to drink even when it creates problems. Moreover, there are physical signs of withdrawal when someone tries to quit.
At the alcohol detox center in Hawaii, clients can begin the healing process. There’s no cure for an alcohol use disorder. Even so, the condition responds well to treatment. You can succeed in forcing it into remission.
How to Deal with an Alcohol Use Disorder
Detoxification is the first step. Because it’s a nervous system depressant, your body reacts to its absence. Suddenly, the nervous system comes back online while the brain’s still working overtime. Therefore, you feel pain and may be in danger of seizures.
At a detox facility, you work with experts who minimize discomfort and the cravings for alcohol. They help you withdraw safely and will intervene if you run into problems. Once you overcome physical dependency, which takes about a week, you move on to clinical care. This is what most people know as addiction rehab.
At rehab, you work through the psychological aspects of dependency. Possible care approaches include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on the development of suitable coping skills
- Trauma treatment for men who need to overcome PTSD and similar traumatic events
- Exercise therapy, which empowers you to embrace a return to a healthy lifestyle
- Nutritional counseling that benefits you when alcohol resulted in deficiencies in your diet
- Group therapy as a tool for enabling peers to counsel you and encourage accountability
Frequently, couples counseling is part of the experience. It helps your partner to understand what you’re going through. If there’s been co-dependency in the relationship, it must stop. Otherwise, you might suffer an early relapse.
Aftercare Rounds out Treatment
Once you graduate from rehab, it’s time to enter the aftercare phase. You might step down care to an outpatient program. Similarly, you transition from group therapy to support group attendance. The goal of aftercare is to prepare you for living independently while keeping the disease in check.
Since it’s chronic in nature, you have to guard against relapse. However, if one occurs, you may need to return to treatment. It’s not a sign of failure. It’s merely an expression of the condition.
Is alcoholism a disease you can overcome? Call a good-quality detox center today to find out how to start.