Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Drug and alcohol addiction is a widespread problem; many people who feel they have their drinking or drug taking under control are actually in the grip of an addiction that they can't or won't even recognise. Luckily for those who are willing to ask for help, there is no shortage of organisations that can provide emotional support, advice and even practical assistance to those addicted to drugs or alcohol. Rehab clinics, short for rehabilitation, may seem to be the domain of celebrity addicts whose careers have been derailed by too much partying, but ordinary people can be admitted to these institutions too. As with any other methods of dealing with addiction, the addict should want to be helped and has to admit that they have a problem. In some cases, courts have sent people to rehab to try and force them to clean up their act, but this is only a short-term solution. If the addict doesn't want to be helped they will soon find themselves drinking or taking drugs once released from the clinic. In most addiction cases rehab isn't necessary. After all, it is quite a serious and potentially expensive step to take, sealing the addict away from family and friends for weeks or even months until the cause of their addiction has been dealt with. Most addicts, once they have admitted their problem can be helped in the community, through counselling, support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and with the support and help of their loved ones along with medical professionals. Bizarrely, it can actually be dangerous for people who are used to drinking a large amount of alcohol to suddenly stop drinking altogether and the advice of a doctor or nurse used to dealing with addicts should be consulted throughout the process. You will have heard people refer to themselves as "recovering alcoholics" or "recovering addicts". The truth is that once addicted you never stop being an addict. Once you have taken the decision to give up alcohol or drugs, it becomes a lifelong struggle to stay away from your particular demon. There is no such thing as an alcoholic who can enjoy a couple of sociable drinks at parties. Either you quit altogether or you're only fooling yourself that your addiction has been dealt with effectively. Giving up drugs and alcohol isn't an easy process and it will stay hard for the rest of your life, but it is something that is worth doing as living life with an addiction is no life at all.