Alcohol is amongst the most widely abused drugs. The product is relatively affordable, easy to access, and provided an individual is 21 or older, legal to purchase.
That said, alcoholism is arguably one of worst addictions the body can face and is widely considered one of the toughest dependencies to conquer. For these reasons, convincing an addict to seek treatment is all the more crucial.
The Health Risks Associated With Alcohol Abuse
Chronic heavy alcohol intake can exert a negative influence on several bodily systems.
Most people know that the substance is notorious for damaging the liver. This vital organ is paramount to the body\’s capacity to digest foods and nutrients, in addition to filtering potentially dangerous toxins and other waste material from the bloodstream.
That said, dependency on booze could result in other significant medical maladies, including:
- An increased risk for various forms of cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Nutritional deficiencies
- A decreased systemic concentration of red blood cells, which is medically classified as anemia
- Brain and other nervous system disorders
- Digestive problems
- Systemic infections
- Gout
- Insomnia
Furthermore, continual overindulgence in alcohol could exacerbate a host of notable illnesses.
The Challenges Of Alcohol Withdrawal
Many extremely heavy alcohol abusers might attempt to stop drinking cold turkey. However, an alcoholic\’s brain often grows so reliant on the substance that several potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms usually occur within hours of the individual in question\’s last fix.
Healthcare providers and addiction specialists maintain that alcohol is amongst the most difficult drugs to withdraw because of its impact on the central nervous system. Nerve cells, also referred to as neurotransmitters, enter an agitated state during withdrawal. Said occurrence can produce physical and mental manifestations, such as:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Digestive issues
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Elevated body temperatures
Moreover, alcohol withdrawal can elicit severe nervous system symptoms, like involuntary muscle movements, hallucinations, delirium, seizures, coma, and possibly death.
How To Get An Alcoholic Into Treatment?
In consideration of these startling facts, time often is of the essence regarding the need to get a long-standing alcohol abuser into treatment.
In many instances, said subjects will require a facility capable of providing medically-monitored detox followed by an intense treatment program geared towards helping the addict beat the mental dependency and learn to life a sober life.
Unfortunately, however, an appreciable number of addicts are stubborn and refuse to admit they have a problem. Under such circumstances, family members or other close associations might have to take matters into their own hands and do whatever is necessary to drive the point of urgency home. Necessary tactics might include:
Displaying Tough Love
Addiction is a difficult process to witness. Ergo, those related to dependents often either try to ignore the problem or enable the user\’s unscrupulous behavior. Typically, however, such responses often only tend to worsen the problem.
As difficult as it might be, addiction industry professionals maintain that loved ones may need to set discernible boundaries and display tough love. Said conduct could manifest in any of the following actions:
- Limiting or cutting off financial support
- Refusing to bail them out of trouble
- Not allowing said relation to drink inside the home
- Asking said individual to leave the home
Those in the know recommend not being confrontational but placing one\’s cards on the table and making the addict understand that they mean business.
Follow Through
Many people make threats but fewer actually follow through with associated consequences. Said action could prove crucial to convincing an alcoholic to seek treatment.
For example, if a parent warned a child they would not bail them out of trouble, they must stand firm. A case in point could be that the addict got arrested. As hard as not interfering is, the parent should not immediately run to free them.
Never Use Guilt
Attempting to guilt or shame a dependent into getting help is usually not effective. In fact, said efforts often have the complete opposite impact.
Offer Encouragement
Encouragement might yield positive outcomes. Sometimes, addicts feel alone and uncertain. However, they may be inspired to take action if they see people care and desire they get well.
Educate Oneself
It is vital that an alcoholic\’s loved ones remain vigilant and educate themselves about the condition. Every individual circumstance is different. That said, there are different stages of the disease. Staying better informed enables loved ones to grab better hold of this situation.
Reaching Out To Us
Alcoholism is a serious addiction that could elicit serious consequences. Encouraging a loved one experiencing the grip of such addiction to seek help can prove challenging. However, it is not impossible.
Our Palm Beach County treatment center has helped dependents from Florida and many from the northeastern and Midwestern United States overcome their reliance on alcohol and other substances. Our highly-skilled, experienced and compassionate team firmly believes it can produce similar results for anyone who turns to us for help. Call us at 833-846-5669.