Can Alcohol Treatment Work?
Treatment centres for alcoholics are not miracle workers and although they offer their patients a chance of recovery, it must be noted that a small percentage go on to make a full recovery and remain sober after a year.
A chronic medical condition is a valid analogy of alcoholism and removing the substance form the body is merely a springboard to a full solution. Counselling has a vital role to play along with detox for both the mind and the body. Needless to say, alcohol is not allowed whilst undergoing treatment. The intention if the patient to make a recovery is key and if he is less than willing, it makes it both more difficult and likely, longer. Even when exposed to alcohol, he has to show a degree of discipline.
It is not uncommon for the patient to relapse whether once or occasionally. What we are looking for is an extended period of sobriety. A relapse can be seen as failure but in no way is this the case. It doesn’t mean that the relapse will continue but nobody should be expecting miracles either. Treatment is not necessarily a quick process; the patient needs to rebuild both physically and mentally.
A relapse can provide some perspective actually, certainly to the treatment centre whose role it then is to remind the patient what his purpose is and how important it is that he keep up his end of the bargain too. It would certainly be helpful if his family and friends were there to guide him an offer him full support along with a therapist. It is much harder when facing such a challenge alone.
Many patients have a strong purpose, stop drinking and have good intention. Whilst it is easier to handle this kind of patient, they are still capable of relapse and need to be closely monitored. The aim is not necessarily for him to remain off alcohol for the rest of his life but to consider himself to have control over it. There will be some who show no signs of recovery but the goal of treatment remains the same and that is to give back the addict his life.
