Alcoholism, in whatever form it presents, is a life-threatening condition. Many will argue that they are not alcoholics, as they do not conform to the stereotypical image of what an alcoholic is. Rehab Today by PCP has successfully treated thousands of alcoholics over the years at our alcohol rehab clinics in the UK. We find that our patients have varying styles of drinking and have very individual alcohol treatment needs. The clinic treats a wide range of alcohol-related issues, including various forms and stages of alcohol abuse, from early to severe, addressing the diagnostic criteria, symptoms, and progression.
All stages and types of alcoholism are treatable and recovery from alcoholism is possible. It is never too soon or too late to ask for alcohol help.
Alcoholism is a disease of the brain that is characterised by progression and relapse. Whatever your problem with drinking, there is help and many treatment options available.
Many alcoholics, however, will not seek alcohol help or alcohol treatment until the end stages of alcoholism. This is the nature of the illness of alcoholism sadly and is what causes so many alcoholics to die.
Alcoholism often starts with specific patterns of alcohol consumption that can escalate from experimental drinking to more frequent and emotionally attached drinking behaviours. As a progressive brain disease, alcoholism can develop quickly or slowly. It varies from person to person. For some, the progression is fast, and for others, it grows slowly over the years. Problem drinking is a critical stage that can precede the end stages of alcoholism, highlighting the importance of recognizing early signs and seeking intervention.
Once a person has reached the compulsive stage of alcoholism, there is little hope of their recovery unless they are admitted to an alcohol rehab facility for intensive residential alcohol treatment.
Types of Alcohol Misuse and Alcoholism
Those who are alcoholics and seek out alcohol addiction treatment within our detox and rehabilitation centres come to us with varying types of alcoholism. All kinds of alcohol addictions are hazardous and life-threatening. More often than not, professional alcohol treatment is required.
Binge Drinking Behavior
Some alcoholics engage in binge drinking, a behaviour identified as an early phase of alcohol abuse where individuals, especially young adults, may consume huge amounts of alcohol in a single session despite not drinking regularly. This risky behaviour, often associated with social events or partying, can lead to long-term alcohol abuse or dependence. They are referred to as binge drinkers and can go for days or weeks without any alcohol whatsoever, but when they start to drink regularly, there is no telling when they will stop. Alcoholic binges can go on for days, weeks, or even months. There is always one more binge and one more period of sobriety.
Eventually, their binges start to seriously affect their personal relationships, their work, their physical and mental health, and their finances.
Binge drinkers often require alcohol rehab to break the cycle quit drinking and learn to live a sober life.
Functioning Alcoholic
Many alcoholics can function while drinking. They drink just enough to be able to function when needed or drink frequently around their functioning times. At times, they will lose control of the amounts they are drinking, and this will draw attention to their problem.
A functioning alcoholic may continue to work or look after a family whilst controlling their drinking to an extent. They ensure that they are capable when they are required to function. For the alcoholic beverages for some, this means keeping alcohol levels topped up; for others, it means not drinking for a set period of the day.
Usually, once commitments are fulfilled for the day, a functioning alcoholic will drink more – often to black out or until they pass out. They suffer from a psychological compulsion to drink that is beyond their mental control and will struggle to go without alcohol in their daily lives.
Alcohol can often be smelled on a functioning alcoholic’s breath, but they are very secretive and careful to ensure that the complete picture of their heavy drinking, is not discovered.
Functioning alcoholics often require a medical alcohol detox for alcohol dependence and a residential alcohol rehab programme to recover fully and prevent an alcohol use disorders relapse. An alcohol recovery programme is usually always needed to sustain functioning alcoholics sustain sobriety.
Alcohol Dependence in Alcoholics
An individual who is alcohol dependent constantly needs alcohol in their bloodstream in order to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms, a key component of alcohol use disorder. Alcoholics are often reliant on alcohol, but not always. When an alcoholic is not alcohol dependent, they are usually convinced that they do not have a serious problem.
Problem drinkers are usually in some way dependent on alcohol, whether it is physically, psychologically, or both. With alcoholism, it is often both, but the primary component of addiction that makes an alcoholic is psychological dependence. This manifests in a compulsion to drink alcohol that takes precedence over everything else.
The psychological aspect of alcoholism is highly complex and requires intensive, evidence-based alcohol treatments to overcome.
Some alcoholics may be able to stop drinking without medical intervention but cannot stay stopped. Some alcoholics can reduce alcohol tolerance for short periods of time but cannot maintain it. Some alcoholics may only drink in the evenings, but not too much. Some alcoholics may only lose control when they pick up a drink but can go days in between.
*If you are alcohol dependent, it is vital that you do NOT suddenly stop drinking. This can prove fatal in some instances. Please get in touch with us for information on our alcohol dependency detox programmes or seek support and treatment from your GP.
The challenge of quitting drinking escalates with the severity of alcohol use disorder, underscoring the importance of early intervention and the necessity of professional help to overcome this addiction.
Chronic Alcoholic
This is someone who is in the advanced stages of alcoholism and has an overwhelming compulsion to consume alcohol and drink all the time, which is characterized by excessive alcohol consumption. They have lost all control over their drinking and have high tolerance and dependence levels to alcohol.
Chronic alcoholics are nearly always highly intoxicated. They cannot be relied on to fulfil any commitments. They lose everything that is of value to them in terms of relationships and financial security. The negative consequences of their excessive alcohol consumption include deteriorating physical and mental health, an increased risk of accidents, and significant personal and social relationship problems. They are considered hopeless and self-destructive by others.
Chronic alcoholics are in the advanced stages of alcoholism and cannot hide their problems from others; they will often seek out other hopeless alcoholics for the company or isolate and avoid contact with anyone except for their local shopkeeper. They have little else in their life except for alcohol.
Chronic alcoholics nearly always need a complete medical alcohol detox and an intensive residential alcohol treatment programme to survive and get well.
Bespoke Alcohol Treatment with PCP
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to treating alcoholism; it develops in stages within varying periods and with varying consequences to the individual. For this reason, alcohol rehab programmes must be tailored to be effective and lasting.
The one thing that ALL alcoholics have in common is that they are unable to leave alcohol entirely alone no matter how great the need or desire to do so
If you or a loved one are suffering from alcoholism or a problem with alcohol and need alcohol help and treatment, please call us to find out more about our affordable alcohol detox and alcohol rehab programmes.
