Alcohol Abuse Treatment - Alcohol Rehab Directory

In Indiana, alcohol abuse means having unhealthy or dangerous drinking habits, such as drinking every day or drinking too much at a time. Alcohol abuse can harm your relationships, cause you to miss work, and lead to legal problems such as driving while drunk (intoxicated). When you abuse alcohol, you continue to drink even though you know your drinking is causing problems. If you continue to have alcohol abuse problems, it can lead to alcohol dependence. Alcohol dependence is also called alcoholism. You are physically or mentally addicted to alcohol. You have a strong need, or craving, to drink. You feel like you must drink just to get by. Alcohol abuse also can contribute to stomach problems, interactions between medicines and alcohol, and sexual problems. It can lead to violence, accidents, social isolation, and problems at work, school, or home. You also may have legal problems in Indiana or somewhere else due to alcohol abuse, such as traffic tickets or accidents, as a result of drinking.

In spite of the fact that alcohol abuse is not the same thing as alcoholism, alcohol abuse is a serious problem in Indiana. In fact, roughly 14 million Americans currently abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent here in the United States alone. Not only this, but several million more Americans engage in risky drinking patterns such as binge drinking that could lead to chronic alcohol abuse or to alcohol dependency.

Based on the significance of this condition, there are many alcohol abuse treatment approaches and methodologies that help those who abuse alcohol either significantly reduce the amount and the frequency that they drink or help them totally abstain from drinking. Due to the significance of alcohol abuse in Indiana, some individuals are sure to ask the following question: "What is the most effective type of alcohol abuse treatment"?

Although there are many effective alcohol abuse treatment approaches, individuals who abuse alcohol have to first realize that they have a drinking problem before they can get the assistance they need. Once involved in an Indiana alcohol abuse treatment, problem drinkers need to "buy into" and follow through with the treatment protocol if they are to overcome their drinking problems. In a word, those who abuse alcohol need to either want to quit drinking altogether or learn how to drink in moderation in order for their alcohol abuse treatment to become successful.

Once enrolled in an Indiana alcohol abuse treatment program you will begin alcohol detox. Put simply, alcohol is addictive, and over time, the body builds up a chemical dependency which manifests in intense cravings for a drink. The cravings can be triggered by any number of things, including stress, the smell of alcohol, or a hundred other things. Alcohol detox begins by removing all lingering traces of booze from the alcoholic's body, flushing out all the toxins and residue, and dealing with any physical conditions brought on by short- or long-term alcohol abuse.

As a patient in alcohol detox you will then be watched closely to help you deal with your withdrawal symptoms. Since these symptoms can be severe, it may be necessary to medically intervene during this step of the alcohol detox process. In some cases, an alcoholic may need to take certain types of medication to help prevent severe withdrawal symptoms and get through their alcohol detox process.

The next step is continuing on with your treatment program. This means full time alcohol rehab for most recovering alcoholics. You may be wondering, how long do I need to remain in an Indiana alcohol rehab? Because successful outcomes often depend on a person's staying in alcohol rehab long enough to reap its full benefits, strategies for keeping people in treatment are critical. Whether a patient stays in treatment depends on factors associated with both the individual and the program. Individual factors related to engagement and retention typically include motivation to change alcohol-using behavior; degree of support from family and friends; and, frequently, pressure from the criminal justice system, child protection services, employers, or the family. Within an Indiana alcohol rehab program, successful clinicians can establish a positive, therapeutic relationship with their patients. The clinician should ensure that a treatment plan is developed cooperatively with the person seeking treatment, that the plan is followed, and that treatment expectations are clearly understood.