The simple truth — that there is no known cure for alcoholism — is not one that a lot of drinkers like to hear. There is always some story floating around the news about a ‘magic pill’ being developed that could provide a cure for alcoholism. But for now, those stories are mere fantasies.
For anyone who is struggling with alcoholism, there are only two realistic outcomes the can occur as a result of drinking:
1. The individual will stop drinking.
This is the solution that virtually every treatment center in the country, as well as 12-step programs, advocates. Why? If you don’t drink, you’ll avoid any problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Those who remain abstinent from alcohol do not experience any new (or recurring) problems that result from alcohol use.
2. They continue to drink and it will get worse.
A defining characteristic of alcoholism is that it is progressive. Most people only think of the progression of the disease in terms of quantity and frequency of alcohol consumed. Yet alcoholism is also progressive in terms of the severity of the consequences incurred from continued use. Alcohol affects health, psychological and cognitive functioning, and causes social and relationship problems, as well as moral and spiritual issues.
Though the reality of having only two possible outcomes for an alcoholic seem simple, and the ideal solution is to stop drinking, the truth is that successfully treating alcoholism is much more complicated.
Many factors come into play that will keep an alcoholic active. Dealing with issues such as obsession, detoxification and withdrawal, physical and psychological addiction, and health issues all need to be addressed, preferably during a treatment program that’s targeted to alcoholism.
The good news is that help is available, and finding financial resources doesn’t need be a factor. You really do owe it to yourself or your loved one to gain more information so that you can take action and help yourself or someone else begin a treatment program.
One of the first challenges in getting help for yourself or a loved one, is knowing where to start. We can help with a free assessment and someone to talk with right now.
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