What Is the Alcohol or Drug Addiction Process?

Question by Anthony: What is the alcohol or drug addiction process?
What are the specific steps someone should take if they know of a person who is a drug addict or alcoholic. explain some of the treatment programs available to addicts.how does an alcoholic or drug addict affect family members?

Best answer:

Answer by Mary
If you know someone who needs help. You need to go to AL ANON. You can google AA or NA and you can find meetings all around the united states. These meetings will say open or closed. If the meeting is “open” that means that anyone (addict/alcoholic or non addict/alcoholic) is welcome. If it says closed, that means that only addicts and alcoholics are welcome. To you it may seem weird or not normal to go to these meetings, but everyone is friendly,warm, and inviting. After you sit through a meeting and it has ended, stick around and ask someone about what you should do with this problem. They will be more than happy to help you.

Treatment programs can be an IOP (intensive outpatient) meaning you go to a facility everyday, but go home at night, this usually lasts for 4 weeks. Or you can do impatient, meaning you live at a facility and get treatment.

Being a recovering addict myself, I hurt many family members and friends, but mostly myself. A lot of trust issues have come up, but i work everyday to gain the trust back from my loved ones. But there are also some relationships that i cannot fix. And i would also suggest picking up some pamphlets from the meeting or you can find them online!

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2 Responses to What Is the Alcohol or Drug Addiction Process?

  • Rachel says:

    Helping an Addict

    If you have a loved one who suffers from addiction it’s important to understand how to approach them. Usually, addicts will be defensive if confronted about substance abuse. Asking questions about health, events or situations may be helpful to begin a conversation. Then share your concerns without using the word “you” to begin the sentence. Plant concerns like seeds that need to be watered. Most addicts only seek help either when they have external consequences or are self-motivated. Be patient and continue to express concern and offer help when the addict is ready.

    Treatment Programs

    Treatment programs are usually either inpatient or outpatient drug rehab programs. In-patient the addict will stay at the drug rehab facility and outpatient treatment the addict will commute to and from treatment. Out-patient treatment is usually a step down program which happens after in-patient has been completed.

    Treatment programs can last 30 days up to 6 months depending on if the addict needs long term or short term care. This time can be divided between in-patient and out-patient treatments. During a treatment program addict will attend individual counseling, group counseling and educational lectures for relapse prevention. Some programs will offer family counseling.

    Family and Addiction

    Addiction is considered a family disease due to the way that everyone is affected. When a loved one suffers from addiction, he or she negatively impacts the rest of the family. Family members suffer from emotional damage such as: anxiety, fear, depression, sleep problems and anger all related to how the addict’s addiction impacts them individually and as a family unit. For example, a child of an addict will often worry about the well being of his or her parent. A child may say to themselves, “What will mom’s mood be like when I get home, I better not do anything to interrupt mom’s good mood…” and so on. Even if the addict is not willing to get help, family members should seek help for themselves.

  • Aaron says:

    Hi Anthony,

    I myself am an Addict/Alcoholic in recovery. I would love to share my experience with how I got help. I didn’t know anything about addiction so I am always trying to help others, so they don’t have to go through the pain I have had to endure. I hope this helps you.

    What are the specific steps someone should take if they know of a person who is a drug addict or alcoholic?

    Confronting an alcoholic or drug addict can be very difficult if the person is actively drinking or using. The best time to approach someone is when they are in between benders; withdrawal usually starts at this point. This is the time the alcoholic/addict feels defeat. I would suggest contacting an intervention specialist on how to get someone help who is in active addiction. These are people that know about alcoholism and addiction and know specifically how to take the steps to get them help. I know of one program that is amazing. They are called The Life Savers Club: 1-877-97-LIVES. They are FREE and confidential.

    Explain some of the treatment programs available to addicts.

    I only learned all the different treatment programs out there from A. attending treatment multiple times myself & B. from being in recovery for sometime now. I would suggest that if you are looking for treatment programs, you should look for these specific offerings. There are many programs out there offered that do NOT follow a 12 step recovery process and do NOT offer full help for those who are suffering, resulting in more harm to the person than good. So these guidelines should help you make a safe and educated decision.

    Treatment Philosophy: I would recommend a treatment program that is based on 12 steps of recovery (usually follows guides from AA,NA,CA,etc). They should have 12 step meetings during their time in treatment. Any program that does not offer a 12 step recovery basis is incomplete and the percentage of the person remaining sober/clean after treatment is greatly reduced.
    It is best that the treatment facility have doctors and professionals on staff. This includes but is not limited to: Medical Doctors, Psychiatrists, Phycologists, Nurses, and Behavioral Technicians. All should be familiar with the disease of addiction and the best treatment centers have actual recovering addicts/alcoholics themselves on staff.
    It also beneficial to have a dual diagnosis program as Alcoholics/Addicts may also be suffering from other disorders like Bi-polar, depression, anxiety, etc…
    Make sure that the treatment center is licensed by the state and has accreditations that back up their services.
    It is also very important to have other services offered like Aftercare programs which include PHP – Partial Hospitalization programs (Day Group therapy sessions after inpatient treatment), IOP – Intensive Outpatient Programs (Night Group therapy sessions), Halfway/Sober living housing (Apartments or houses dedicated to those just leaving treatment so that they can transition back into everyday life with a better chance to stay clean & sober).
    Also check if they offer a family program. Addiction affects the entire family and help is usally needed once your loved one is checked into treatment. This gives healing to those that have been affected and will help in long term recovery for the addict/alcoholic and their family. Support is crucial, even after treatment, so you want a program that has an Alumni department which will be there for the addict/alcoholic and their family LONG after treatment. This is a life long journey and the more support you have, the better chance of success.

    How does an alcoholic or drug addict affect family members?

    Alcoholism and addiction affects families and friends (really anyone close to an addict) in so many different ways. One suggestion would be to attend Al-Anon (sister program of AA) or Nar-Anon (sister program of NA). Here is a great article about how the disease of addiction can affect the family: http://family.livesinrecovery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4%3Afamily-disease&catid=71%3Aacceptance&Itemid=1 this is also why it is important for the treatment center to have a family program in place.

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