Risk Factors for Alcoholism

Various risk factors might contribute to the individual developing alcohol addiction in life. Having these risk factors in life does not necessarily mean that the person will develop alcohol addiction but they can increase the probability. They are as follows::

• Starting to drink at an early age: Teenagers in high school and young adults in their early 20s often binge drink as part of their social habits. Individuals who developed the habit of drinking at an early age may develop alcohol addiction over time if they do not limit their habits.
• Being exposed to alcoholism at the family level: Children and teenagers who grow up in a household where drinking is a common habit or have  a family member or a parent who is a victim of alcohol abuse, then there is an increased likelihood of the child developing  alcohol addiction
• High levels of stress: Professionals with long working hours under extreme stress and responsibility, can develop habits of drinking alcohol in order to help them sleep or cope..
• Continuous drinking for a long period of time: People who started drinking early in their life and continue the habit for a long period develop alcohol abuse problems. Since they are drinking regularly, it is easy for them to miss out on the signs of developing this mental disorder. In such cases, the individuals tend to develop a high tolerance for alcohol which means the body needs the same level of alcohol to function normally as it would have done otherwise.
• Peer pressure: One of the most important risk factors for people developing alcoholism issues early in life is peer pressure. Teenagers and young adults often give in to drinking habits in order to fit in.

Effects of Alcohol Addiction on Family

The social consequences of alcoholism are very adverse, especially in a family setting. The patient with alcohol addiction slowly starts to lose control of their actions as the situation worsens.

As significant behavioural changes start to be seen, family members or close friends might be able to notice. This leads to confrontation, followed by troubles in maintaining personal relationships at home. 

How does alcoholism affect families?

Alcohol and family problems go hand in hand. Alcoholic parents tend to be impulsive and unstable. Their parenting skills start to degenerate with the increase in their addiction.

The effects of drinking are such that alcoholics* tend to interact with children in inconsistent ways while sending mixed signals. The children also grow up in an environment where alcohol is an accepted part of life, thus increases the risk of them taking up underage drinking. 

It has been seen that the social consequences of alcoholism are such that children with alcoholic* parents tend to have more academic problems than others their age. Heavy drinking might also lead to domestic violence with children often being the victims.

Such violence aids in the development of trauma, causing psychological disorders as they grow up, generating fear among them to develop intimate relationships in their adulthood. The emotional functioning of the child also may be damaged for life. 

Alcohol addiction is an expensive disease. This means, to keep drinking, the individual needs to spend a substantial amount of money throughout his addiction periods. This leads to further problems at home regarding financial issues. Alcoholics* also tend to lose their job over low performance which also hits families with financial problems.

How Is Alcoholism Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis of alcohol addiction goes a long way in ensuring that the patient does not develop further complications of the disease later in his life. The following diagnosis test and methods are carried out to confirm alcohol abuse problems:

• The doctor might ask questions about drinking habits and will have to speak to family and close friends
• The patient would also be required to take part in several lab tests and imaging tests 
• Complete physical examination of the body is also done during the diagnosis process
• Doctors will also be required to perform a comprehensive psychological examination

At Cadabams, our multi-specialty team of psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists is involved in the diagnosis of alcohol addiction. Experienced professionals work together using clinically-approved assessments to determine the symptoms, severity, causes and customised treatment plans for alcohol addiction. 

What Makes Us Different?

Personalised Treatment 

We believe that every individual’s needs are different and we do our best to provide you exactly what you need for a long-term recovery using a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and holistic treatment options like yoga and meditation, among others.

Reclaiming Control 

At Cadabams, recovery is more than symptom reduction, we strive to ensure that you/ your loved one receives comprehensive psychosocial rehabilitation to re-enter society. Our hallmark services like occupational therapy and supported employment pave the way for a successful reintegration. 

Caregiver Support

Guaranteeing a healthy support system for caregivers is our priority. We offer families and caregivers therapeutic support to keep them happy and relaxed so they can be the companion their loved one needs. 

Community Care

Our group therapy and 12-step programs help build trust and respect for others coping with alcohol dependence. We believe in letting residents motivate and support each other to attain long-term sobriety.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Addiction

What happens when you stop drinking?

When one suddenly stops drinking, it leads to a condition called alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Withdrawal is common among all patients of addiction which occurs as the body takes time to adjust to the new change.

Alcohol has a specific sedative effect on the brain which suppresses certain neurotransmitters making the  person feel at ease after drinking.Due to prolonged drinking, the brain and the entire central nervous system becomes dependent on alcohol-produced chemicals. When the patient suddenly stops drinking the brain scrambles to adjust to the new chemical in balance in the body.

There can be various ways to deal with alcohol addiction problems. The main problems that arise in the path towards alcohol treatment and getting rid of the addiction include the process of dealing with the  alcohol withdrawal syndrome. To combat alcohol withdrawal symptoms, the body requires comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment to get back to a normal state. 

During the withdrawal period, the patients are likely to suffer from nausea, headache, vomiting and stomach ache issues. Severe cases may lead to anxiety issues and patients might experience hallucinations; and seizures which may, in rare cases lead to death. So, the main focus of alcohol treatment in the beginning is alcohol withdrawal treatment to help the patient reduce the symptoms and get back to normal life easily. 

Alcohol addiction treatment procedures might include:

• Detoxification

Alcohol rehabilitation treatment facilities are inpatient programs that address the various aspects of addiction to help with alcohol addiction and prevent their withdrawal symptoms easily. During the detoxification stage, an essential part of the treatment process, the alcohol withdrawal treatment is medically managed and can take anywhere between 2 to 7 days. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms generally subside within the first 2 weeks. Post the detoxification stage, treatment shifts to therapeutic and psychosocial interventions.

• Learning skills and establishing a strict alcohol addiction treatment plan: 

At Cadabams, alcohol rehabilitation treatment plans require the help of many specialists – some to address the physiological aspects and some for the psychological aspects. The idea is to set a recovery goal and involve the  patient in their recovery journey through  counselling activities. They are taught several skills which include healthy coping mechanisms, grounding techniques and refusal skills among others. 

• Psychological Counselling:

This part of the alcohol treatment comprises counselling sessions and attending self-help groups. Attending group therapy sessions that are built on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous groups can help patients understand the psychological factors that lead to alcohol addiction and seek support and insight from others battling the same problem. Other counselling techniques involve couples therapy and family techniques involve activities. Mental support from the health care provider and family of the patient is an important part of the treatment for alcohol addiction and can help them recover faster.

Alcohol addiction treatment depends on what is right for your situation and how you can reach your goals. Many patients find that a combination of treatments works best for them, and at Cadabams rehabilitation program, the focus is on coming up with a treatment program that is just right for you. Our alcohol addiction treatment center offers different treatment plans to suit every need. Our in-patient, and multiple residential and rehab programs ensure that you have the treatment option you need. There is no one-size-fits all treatment for alcohol addiction syndrome, overcoming it requires consistent alcohol dependence syndrome treatment sessions. The process can be long and it will require consistent dedication, from the patient and their loved ones, and the willingness to respond positively to therapy and medication provided by professionals.

An effective alcohol addiction treatment plan will require:

• Notifying the medical professional about the history of alcohol abuse
• Support from family
• Initiating a personal commitment to getting, and remaining, sober

Once you accept that you have a problem with alcohol then it’s time to seek the proper treatment for alcohol addiction that will suit you best, in the long term. The treatment may include one or more of the following:

• Detoxification
• Counseling
• Medications
• Behavior modification 

The Road to Sobriety

Early treatment of alcohol yields the most effective results. Have you been wondering how to quit alcohol? Or how to stop drinking alcohol? The only solution to alcohol addiction in most cases, is seeking timely help from a rehab centre for alcohol and intervention. Close family and friends should keep an eye on the patient to help them stay away from destructive behaviours. 

Here are some lifestyle changes that the patients should consider on their road to sobriety:

• Eat healthy: Patients should change their food habits and consume a nutritious, balanced diet
• Exercise and practise meditation and yoga
• Change the social situation and stay away from people and situations that might lead to a relapse
• Maintaining a routine to bring back order into life
• Consider seeking professional help and support from loved ones

Getting Help For Alcohol Addiction

Why is it Hard to Overcome Alcohol Addiction?

It can be really stressful to deal with Alcoholism or have a loved one dealing with the illness. Seeking help and support for alcohol addiction is essential to help patients lead functional lives. If you are staging an intervention for a loved one with alcoholism, ensure you follow these guidelines. 

• Make sure the person is comfortable and does not feel threatened.
• Close family members or a partner should lead the conversation.
• Do not include anyone who may be mistrusted by the individual.
• Calmly take them through the options available such as a residential treatment facility or alcohol addiction treatment centre. 
• Reassure them that seeking help will help them lead a fuller and happier life.
• Make sure they feel supported and not isolated. 
• Use positive language and ensure that they feel loved and appreciated.

Cadabams is India’s leading Alcohol and De-Addiction rehabilitation centre for alcoholics* and other associated problems. Visit our residential treatment alcohol rehab in Bangalore for a guided tour of our Alcoholism treatment centre.