How Rehab Works as a Treatment for Alcoholism

Rehab is a broad term, which can have many forms, phases, and practices depending on the person. In the most common sense of the word, rehab is a treatment for addiction (drugs or alcohol) in a specialized facility.

In fact, according to data collected by Medscape, each year, over 44,000 people in the US die from a drug overdose. The numbers for alcoholism-related deaths in the US are double, 88,000 people per year. That makes alcoholism the third leading preventable death cause in the country.

If you are considering monitored therapy for alcoholism, you could try a serene and peaceful rehab facility in Arizona.

The Numbers Behind the Rehab Treatment

Let’s dive into the numbers!

Over 16.3 million Americans report an alcohol use disorder, and 1.5 million have sought treatment in a specialized facility. Furthermore, 31 percent of traffic deaths are caused by drunk driving. And alcoholism is the leading cause of liver disease, cirrhosis, cancer (mouth, pharynx, liver, breast, and esophagus) and physical injuries.

These statistics can be terrifying. However, addiction is treatable, and over 4 million people in the US are trying rehab. If done right, rehab can be a transformative experience for your overall health, mental stability, and emotional state.

The Benefits of Rehab

Each treatment facility, AA meeting, or any other form of treatment works with a slightly different program. The most popular method is the Minnesota model, as a basis of the 12 step program. However, the goal for each of them is the same, abstinence. And the best results come when you combine continued therapy with rehab at a facility.

In fact, in most cases, these two methods come as a first and second step in one recovery program. But there is no single blueprint that would be effective for everyone. According to neuroscience professor Bankole Johnson, the patient’s profile is the determining factor for choosing the right treatment.

A qualified professional should do the assessment and decide what the patient needs psychologically and medically.

The MATCH Project followed patients for three years to assess the effectiveness of different rehab methods. Their findings state that “ … facilitation treatment fared significantly better at all follow-up points.” We can conclude that choosing a rehab facility is an excellent start to fight alcoholism.

Here are some of the benefits from recovery

1) Improved Social Life, Job Prospects & Personal Growth

Excessive drinking causes issues in every area of your life, and it impacts your personal and professional relationships. Furthermore, it prevents you from attaining your goals and aspirations. Once you stop drinking, you will see improvement in every segment, from a productive social life to new job prospects or continuity of education.

While you’re sober, you’ll start working towards a healthy balance and set goals for personal growth. Because you’ll be mindful and aware of your surroundings, your reactions can be productive and appropriate.

2) Better Overall Health (Including Mental Health)

The most drastic changes happen on a physical level. Because sobriety occurs in the brain, you’ll start noticing improved focus, critical thinking, and memory. Your problem-solving skills will increase, and your creativity will come back.

These are all the changes that happen in your body when you stop drinking

•  After 24 hours your blood sugar will normalize
• After 48 hours your body will start with a heavy detox
• After 72 hours the sugar craving will end, and you’ll start feeling more like yourself
• After one week your sleep will improve, the glow of your skin will be restored, and body hydration will be back to normal
• After one month you’ll see a reduction in belly fat, and the condition of your skin will improve dramatically
• After one year, the risk of mouth, liver, and breast cancers reduces

Apart from your physical health, your mind will get a boost as well. Because your sleep will improve, the signs of depression and anxiety will reduce. Your mood will stabilize, and you’ll be able to commit to personal and professional projects more successfully.

In fact, one of the severe side effects of alcoholism is depression. However, the feelings of depression will subside if you stop drinking.

3) Public & Personal Safety

Your personal safety is threatened continuously when you’re drinking. You’re at risk for physical injury, road trauma, assault, and a number of other threats. However, you’re not risking only your safety but the safety of the people around you.

According to the Bureau of Highway Safety, alcohol-impaired car crashes cost more than $37 billion per year. And every 51 minutes, a driver under alcohol influence crashes his car. This impacts public safety and causes a massive human and financial loss. With over 1.9 million emergency department visits a year caused by alcohol abuse, a considerable number of resources are allocated to this.

Conclusion

If you’re battling alcoholism, it’s advisable to seek help from experts. Because the body has formed an addiction to the substance (as well as the brain), the detox process can be very challenging. The alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening if they’re not supervised by a medical professional.