The alcohol addiction counselling that is available today is much further advanced than the primitive approach used previously for treating alcohol addiction.

Alcohol addiction has existed for many years and is widely known as “alcoholism”. Drinking, occasional overindulgence and getting a little ‘merry’ is nothing new, but most individuals do not take their drinking to the level of alcoholism. Those that do however, frequently see their lives falling apart and, all too often, find themselves in an early grave.

Until the establishment of Alcoholics Anonymous, a non-profit fellowship of recovering alcoholics trying to stay sober one day at a time, there was not much hope for those in the grips of severe alcoholism.

Most alcoholics were bundled off to mental institutions to go through delusion tremors (DTs) - a dangerous state which the body goes into during alcohol withdrawal - or forced into religion as a cure for their problem. Yet none of these ‘cures’ helped. As soon as the alcoholic would leave the institution or be alone, even for the shortest while, their return to drinking would be quick and imminent.

Alcoholism as a Disease

Thankfully, a lot more is understood about alcoholism in the present day. Although some specialists differ in schools of thought, it is widely believed to be an incurable disease that can be helped by alcohol addiction counselling.

The disease is said to be progressive and fatal, yet can be arrested if the alcoholic ceases to drink and remains abstinent. Because of the disease of alcoholism, an alcoholic cannot stop through their own will, even when their only wish is be abstinent. However, it is possible for someone without the disease to act in a way where their alcohol consumption is too much over a long period, but they are able to stop when they feel that enough is enough. The alcoholic cannot. Many people resort to alcohol to ‘drown’ their sorrows, but it is only the alcoholic who will carry on for years possibly and will only be able to stop through getting necessary help.

Some believe that people are born alcoholics and that once the first drink is consumed, they begin the slide down the slippery slope descending into alcoholism. Many ask “how does one catch the disease of alcoholism?” No one can be sure, some say that it is hereditary and genetic, some say that it is appropriated through childhood problems, some say that it is a combination of the two.

The Symptoms of Alcoholism

The symptoms of alcoholism vary according to the stage to which the alcoholic has progressed. Some alcoholics may not have progressed to the stage of needing to drink in the morning or to steal to fund their habit. But never the less, if the disease is present, they are a ticking time bomb.

A person who plans to have one drink and eventually drinks ten in one night is not necessarily an alcoholic, although this is a major symptom. The inability to have control over one’s drinking once one drink has been consumed is a key symptom of alcoholism.

There is a saying which says “one is too many and a thousand is never enough.” This could not be truer for an alcoholic. Usually the alcoholic will have some form of control if they are completely abstinent from alcohol or any other mind or mood altering substances. However, once one drink is consumed, all control is lost and what was intended to be an innocent drink turns into a binge lasting weeks, even months and years.

The main symptoms of alcohol addiction are obviously a vast consumption of alcohol, especially at strange times of day and at inappropriate times. An alcoholic who has reached full mental and physical dependence will suffer from DT’s when without a drink. Morning tremors are a big sign of a problem and are usually followed by a drink or many to stop the shaking and hysteria, allowing the alcoholic to function on a minimal level. Secretive drinking, lying about consumption and extremely unreliable behaviour are also key warning signs that someone may be an alcoholic. Individuals may be prone to major depression, violence and extremely unstable behaviour accompanied by huge character changes.

The Treatment Options

Treating alcohol addiction should not only deal with the symptoms, i.e. the drinking. The drinking is not the root problem. It is a symptom. The problem sits within the alcoholic themselves, not in the alcohol.

Rehabilitation centres are a good place for an alcoholic to receive treatment, provided they offer individual therapy, group therapy and a programme of recovery so that the alcoholic may remain abstinent when they leave.

Many treatment centres encourage patients to work a twelve step programme, such as the one offered by Alcoholics Anonymous. This programme offers a daily programme of recovery based on working the twelve steps. The twelve steps encourage spirituality, not religion. The twelve step programme’s main foundations are staying sober one day at a time, attending meetings, working with a sponsor (a more experienced member of the fellowship), service, literature and trusting in a higher power.

Another key aspect of recovery is a healthy body. Proper diet and regular exercise is very important to a recovering alcoholic’s wellbeing. After years of incredibly unhealthy habits and brutal treatment of their bodies, an alcoholic will feel great improvements in mood and overall wellbeing.

If an alcoholic can stop drinking, that is the first step towards recovery and abstinence. However, stopping drinking is just the start to arresting this cunning and powerful disease.

Alcoholism can be fatal if not addressed and will get progressively worse. Alcohol addiction counselling, therapy, healthy living and a programme of recovery are the best chance an alcoholic has of recovering. However, at the end of the day, it is the alcoholic’s choice to recover and follow these steps to recovery.

About the Author:

Oasis Counselling Centre is a rehabilitation centre in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, where counsellors use group and individual therapy techniques to help alcoholics, as well as endorsing a healthy lifestyle, a twelve step programme and a caring, nurturing environment.