Getting into treatment for alcoholism frequently means unpacking a lifetime of maladapted behaviours and learning new ways of addressing everyday issues without alcohol.
Dealing with alcohol addictions can be a tricky business. Alcohol is so ingrained in everyday life that is frequently becomes the "norm" by which we base all the functions of our day to day survival. The problem with alcohol is not only that it is as physically addictive as hard drugs like heroin but it is a drug that is comes with an expectation and social pressure to abstain from would mean "giving up living" or "leading a normal life". For this and many reasons many alcoholics "electively choose" to remain trapped in their alcoholism as they cannot imagine living their life without alcohol.
The phases of treatment include, deciding to deal with a problematic drinking process, finding a facility to deal with alcohol detox, addressing the psychological changes required for each patient, and finally re-integrateing back to every day life without using alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Individual counselling for drug addictions has proven to be one of the most effective ways to combat addictions and for clients to sustain their lasting sobriety and meaningful personal growth. Many people think that substances are the core of the addiction problem. However, substances are very often a temporary solution or coping mechanism used by the person to cope with deeper issues that exist in their emotional wellbeing. These emotional layers form over time and may need to be addressed through more focused talk therapy or addiction counselling.