5 Reasons Why You Should Go to Alcohol Rehab

Alcoholism is a life-threatening disease that is responsible for the loss of more than 25,000 lives every year, including approximately 16,000 who die of alcohol liver disease. Most abusers know they have a problem with addiction or even dependency, but many fail in their attempts to overcome the disease. Alcohol rehabs have long been a resource to struggling alcohol abusers who need intensive assistance in beating addiction and learning to prevent relapse. Many former alcoholics are sober today because of their choice to enter rehabilitation, but unfortunately, of the millions of people who currently struggle with addictions, only 11 percent seek treatment. Anyone on the fence as to whether alcohol rehab could benefit them should consider the many benefits of professional addiction rehabilitation.

1. Stability

Recovering alcohol abusers can benefit from a stable environment with a dependable daily regimen. Rehab is a stress-free zone free of the temptations, circumstances and social situations that often serve as a trigger for drinking. Instead, participants are inundated with a schedule that is chock full of addiction recovery programs and activities that allow for greater self-control and stronger resolve for sobriety.

2. Discretion

Alcohol rehab offers privacy and anonymity. In fact, some rehab centers are designed specifically with patient confidentiality in mind. This is an important benefit to many people -- especially those who have a positive reputation to uphold for the sake of their jobs or other roles within their communities. Rehabs are typically closed to unapproved visitors and are safe from prying eyes. Everyone in rehab is struggling with some kind of substance addiction, leaving no room for judgment or condescension.

3. Controlled Environment

Overcoming addiction is nearly impossible when temptations are constantly impeding progress. Some environmental triggers are at the mercy of the abusers themselves, such as the amount of alcohol kept in the home. However, some triggers are unavoidable. At rehab, there are no caveats, and there are no opportunities for relapse. The environment is controlled and designed to keep participants preoccupied with their quest for sobriety in lieu of the lifestyle they are leaving behind.

4. Social and Professional Support

Rehab centers are resources to people of all ages and backgrounds. There is a sense of mutual support often felt between rehab center members, all of whom are on their journey toward sobriety. Many people who are just beginning their path to recovery find comfort and inspiration in the successes of other rehab members. Additionally, rehab centers have substance abuse counselors on hand who can provide professional advice and accountability, as well as provide tips for continued sobriety in the future.

5. Supervised Detoxification

One of the biggest hurdles to sobriety is the detoxification process. Alcohol dependency makes the recovery process a physical challenge that is not easily or healthfully faced alone. Withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, moodiness, irritability and fatigue, as well as headaches, loss of appetite and clammy skin. More severe symptoms are also possible and are best managed under the oversight and supervision of an alcohol detoxification professional. They may include fever, elevated heart rate, hallucinations or even seizures. When alcohol recovery begins in a rehabilitation center, detoxification can be achieved safely, effectively breaking the cycle of dependency.

Is There Such Thing as a "Functioning Alcoholic?"

Everyone is a Little Different

Alcoholism is a complicated disease in that it can strike anybody, at any time and without warning. And when alcohol dependency hits, it is not always immediately recognizable to the outsider. As with many chronic health problems, the degree of severity related to alcohol addiction varies greatly depending on the individual's level of genetic predisposition as well as current environmental factors that may serves as triggers.

With so many variables thrown in the mix, it's no wonder that some alcoholics cannot even tie their shoes in the morning without taking a shot or two of hard liquor, while others manage for years on end without ever raising any eyebrows.

Some alcohol abusers argue that, as so-called functioning alcoholics, they are able to get on with everyday life just fine and thus have no need of rehabilitation measures. They feel they are perfectly capable of alcohol cessation at any time of their choosing. But is this true? Is there such a thing as a functioning alcoholic or is this merely an excuse addicted individuals tell themselves in hopes of drawing out that blissful period of denial and avoiding treatment altogether?

High-Functioning Alcoholism...Or Denial?

Often debated is whether any alcoholic can truly be considered high-functioning. After all, an individual suffering from an officially diagnosed case of alcoholism is naturally putting his or her body at great risk. Some negative symptoms of the disease manifest themselves early on, including forgetfulness, impaired thinking, decreased immune system functioning and diminishing motor functioning, among others.

However, through a combination of creativity, determination and desperation, many alcoholics are able to continue making the motions of everyday life despite suffering such harmful side effects. In fact, research (1) suggests that as many as one half of alcoholic individuals can be classified as high-functioning, meaning that they still are able to hold down jobs, complete academic work and remain in reasonably close relationships.

The problem with a seemingly high-functioning case of alcoholism is that it breeds intense feelings of denial. Individuals thought to have high-functioning alcoholism may not recognize problematic behaviors in themselves, or, if they do, may feel that they are able to continue getting away with such behavior at little to no risk of suffering any consequences. Some may even view indulging in alcohol as their just reward for working hard on a day-to-day basis. Thus, these individuals continue with their addictive behaviors, meanwhile entrenching themselves further and further within the trap of addiction.

Treatment For The High-Functioning Alcoholic

If there is one advantage to being labeled a high-functioning alcoholic, it is that, upon finally recognizing his or her problem, the patient may be able to complete the treatment process at an outpatient facility. This allows the individual to continue on with school, work or other facets or ordinary life while addressing the current symptoms of the addiction as well as the underlying issues that may have led to its development in the first place.

Unfortunately, some patients struggling with alcoholism may appear to be high-functioning at the time, but could very well be in a far worse state than friends, families or even medical professionals could ever predict. After all, denial and secrecy are core features of alcoholism. (2) If the sufferer wants to hide the problem, he or she will go to seemingly insane lengths to accomplish just that. Thus, it is better not to initially cast off a supposedly high-functioning patient as unworthy of higher-intensity treatments. Sometimes, those accomplishing the most in their personal lives are also those most on the verge of the worst alcohol-induced crashes.

Get the Recovery You Need

Ultimately, the conclusion of addiction researchers is that yes, there is a variety of alcoholism that can be referred to as functioning. However, even if the level of functioning is higher than that of other alcoholics, recovered individuals report that they feel happier, healthier, and ultimately, far more motivated to accomplish great things. The question then is not whether one is simply functioning, but whether that person is meeting his or her full potential. And if alcohol dependency is in the mix, the answer is likely a resounding no.