Alcoholism is understood as the disease of being addicted to alcohol. It is similar to other substance addictions as it creates high risks for chronic abusers. Although prolonged abstinence will allow part of the damage caused by excessive drinking to heal, some damage is irreversible. Alcohol rehabilitation is an important area of concern for us at We Do Recover.
We offer useful information on staging an intervention that aims to get the alcoholic into alcohol detox so that treatment can begin. Alcoholics are often caught in the grip of terrible emotional and mental problems. Our staff is sensitive to the special needs that alcoholics have and are trained to facilitate a smooth transition into an alcohol rehab program.
A Progressive Illness
Alcohol is called a progressive illness because it gets worse with time. In the early stages of the addiction the alcoholic starts to show signs of tolerance. This means that she is able to consume more alcohol and not get as drunk as she used to. In the early stages of alcoholism the alcoholic may be labelled a “heavy drinker” because it is often difficult to distinguish between these groups of drinkers. Outpatient alcohol counselling may help the problem drinker remain abstinent at this point.
In the middle stage of alcoholism the individual has developed a degree of dependency which means that he needs to drink in order to prevent the negative symptoms of withdrawal. Such effects include hangovers, nausea, cravings, anxiety and irritability. Severe cases of withdrawal may demonstrate uncontrollable shaking of the hands and cold flushes.
The late stage of alcoholism is hard to miss. By this time the alcoholic is drinking nearly all of the time and will engage in any manner of deception in order to obtain alcohol. Physical damage is nearly certain and many alcoholics stop eating and only draw nourishment from alcohol. This causes great stress on the internal organs and will eventually lead to brain damage. Inevitably an alcoholic in this state is not able to think clearly and is in the grip of a compulsion to drink. No amount of reasoning will prevail upon her to cease drinking. At this stage in alcoholism detox and treatment in an alcohol rehabilitation facility are required.
Damage to the heart will cause heart arrhythmia and hypertenstion (high blood pressure). This places the alcoholic at risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks or stroke. The liver is only able to clear out a certain amount of toxins from the blood and chronic drinking will cause it to become painfully inflamed. Liver failure is a cause of death for some alcoholics. Prolonged drinking increases the risk of developing cancer, particularly of the throat. Brain damage causes delusions, problems with coordination, dementia, affective changes and the persons whole personality can change. Assessment by a physician is essential if you are showing any of these signs. Detoxification from alcohol can be dangerous and it is a very good idea to do this in an alcohol treatment clinic under proper medical care.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is particularly prevalent in the Western Cape in South Africa. It is a condition that results in babies being born with noticeable physical deformaties and severe cognitive impairments. This birth disorder is permanent and there is no cure. It causes an array array of primary cognitive and functional disabilities (including poor memory, attention deficits, impulsive behaviour and poor cause-effect reasoning) as well as secondary disabilities (for example, mental health problems and drug addiction). It is the leading cause of mental retardation in the United States. Pregnant mothers should attend an alcohol rehab program in order to prevent their fetus from being harmed in this way.
Need a place to start?
Many people in your position have called us for help and guidance on getting treatment solutions for friends, family and loved ones or themselves.
Free and confidential- Available 24/7
- Access to professional treatment
You do not need do this alone. Chat to one of our counsellors today.
Founded in 2008, WeDoRecover has evolved from an advisory service for addiction treatment into a comprehensive provider of care, following its 2019 merger with Changes Addiction Rehab in Johannesburg. Specialising in connecting patients to top-tier addiction treatment centers in the UK, South Africa and Thailand, WeDoRecover supports individuals globally, including those from the United Arab Emirates and Europe. Accepting both South African medical aid and international health insurance our organisation facilitates access to high-quality treatment for substance and alcohol use disorders, offering individualised care that addresses the physical, mental and social needs of patients.