Alcohol Abuse Treatment - Alcohol Rehab Directory

Colorado

In Colorado, many people drink regularly without experiencing any harmful effects, other than perhaps a slight hangover on rare occasions. Yet many others suffer from alcoholism and alcohol abuse, making even an occasional drink dangerous. Substance abuse experts make a distinction between alcohol abuse and alcoholism (also called alcohol dependence). Unlike alcoholics, alcohol abusers still have at least some ability to set limits on their drinking. However, their alcohol use is still self-destructive and dangerous to themselves or others.

How can some people in Colorado drink responsibly, while others drink to the point of losing their health, their family, or their job? There are no simple answers. Alcohol abuse and drinking problems are due to many interconnected factors, including genetics, how you were raised, your social environment, and your emotional health. People in Colorado who have a family history of alcohol abuse or who themselves suffer from a mental health problem such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder are particularly at risk, because alcohol may be used to self-medicate.

Since drinking is so common in Colorado and the effects vary so widely from person to person, it is not always easy to figure out where the line is between social drinking and alcohol abuse. Taking an honest look at why you drink may help you figure out which side of the line you fall on. Remember, though, the bottom line is how alcohol affects you. If your drinking is causing problems in your life, you have an alcohol abuse problem.

Alcohol abuse treatment can begin only when the alcoholic accepts that the problem exists and agrees to stop drinking. He or she must understand that alcoholism is curable and must be motivated to change. The goal of attending a Colorado alcohol abuse treatment program is lasting abstinence. Among alcoholics with otherwise good health, social support, and motivation, the likelihood of recovery is good. Approximately 50% to 60% remain abstinent at the end of a year's alcohol abuse treatment and a majority of those stay dry permanently. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of alcohol abuse treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning.

Individuals who know in advance what to expect from an alcohol treatment program tend to do better in the program because they are more at ease when entering the facility – and therefore able to “hit the ground” running with regards to their recovery. The first part of recovery is participating in a Colorado alcohol detox program. Alcohol detox is the process of flushing all the toxins out of your body after you have been abusing alcohol.  Detoxification is the withdrawal stage of giving up alcohol.  The period between stopping drinking and finishing Colorado alcohol detox will range from a couple of days to over a week. The withdrawal symptoms you experience will depend on the level of your alcohol abuse problem.  Once your alcohol detox is complete you will enter into a Colorado alcohol rehab to continue your recovery process.

Alcohol rehab in Colorado is the most powerful, effective way to break the cycle of alcohol dependence. These programs are not just a "band-aid" solution – alcohol rehab gets to the heart of why an individual has become addicted and treats these issues at the source. A Colorado alcohol rehab center is a place for healing, healthier living and support. Those treatment programs that have enjoyed the most success in helping their patients are those that have incorporated all these elements to enrich the mind, body and soul of the individual.