The 4 phases of alcoholism treatment

Alcoholism is one of the most frequent addictive disorders, and today it is a real problem of public health in most countries, which kills more than 3 million people each year world.

As in any disorder based on addictive behavior, alcoholism has a destructive effect on the person who suffers from it and also on his or her closest social, work and family environment. In addition to that, this disease carries significant physical and emotional health problems that lead the person to a vicious cycle of consumption and discomfort.

Health professionals who specialize in addictive drug disorders offer a comprehensive and comprehensive treatment for cases of alcoholism that is based on 4 well-differentiated phases, which are essential for the final success of the process.

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What are the stages of alcohol addiction treatment?

Here we will briefly explain the characteristics and functions of the 4 phases of alcohol addiction treatment.

1. Detoxification

The first phase in the treatment of alcoholism is detoxification, which is carried out by a team of health professionals normally headed by a specialized psychiatrist, a professional who often collaborates with a psychologist or a therapist expert in addictions

The detoxification phase consists of an evaluation of the patient's condition, the establishment of a diagnosis and the application of a treatment focused on supporting the person while their body eliminates the drug, and adapted to the needs and situation of the person with alcohol addiction disorder

During the detoxification phase, an exhaustive analysis of the patient's lifestyle is carried out, and an intervention plan is proposed divided into several therapeutic sessions to know in depth the seriousness of your case and apply strategies adapted to that person and to needs. These sessions can be individual with the person or also in groups with other addicted people or with the relatives of the first.

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2. Dehabitation

If the detoxification phase focused on the biomedical aspects of the disorder, in the detoxification phase the behavioral component gains prominence.

The phase of cessation aims for the person to eliminate the habit of alcohol consumption from her life, which she accepts from voluntarily the new alcohol-free situation both physically and psychologically and learn to live without depending on the drug.

In her various psychological techniques and therapies are put into practice, as well as a pharmacological intervention (in case it is necessary), with the aim that the person is involved to achieve well-being and the quality of life prior to her addiction, without resorting to alcohol.

This phase is also directed by a health professional and in it, elements such as acceptance of the problem, motivation or willpower, social skills, and They train positive and decisive thinking modalities aimed at overcoming the disorder through the search for new incentives and motivating activities associated with a lifestyle. healthy.

The cessation usually lasts for a little over a year and ends when the person is satisfied with their withdrawal situation; If this is not achieved, compulsory abstinence is imposed for as long as necessary.

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3. Rehabilitation

In the rehabilitation phase, there is a reduction in the person's anxiety, as well as in their urge to drink, and an improvement is observed in their social skills and interpersonal relationships.

This phase aims for the person to incorporate healthy social behavior patterns away from alcohol consumption, as well as a radical change in the way of relating and managing friendships and the social environment that favored the maintenance of addiction.

In addition to that, in phase 3 there is also ** a learning of new useful skills for the life of the person ** and all those activities that this person could not carry out or stopped doing because of their addiction.

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4. Reinsertion

The last phase is that of reintegration; It is one of the most important of the entire process, since It is the one that provides the keys to avoid relapses in alcohol consumption. It is based on giving support to difficult day-to-day situations, reinforcing the presence of the techniques learned in the previous phases through reminders, motivational sessions and resolution of doubts, and early detection of thoughts and feelings that may precede a relapse.

This phase is also supervised by the various mental health professionals who have participated jointly in throughout the process and in it work again some of the elements most necessary to maintain total reintegration in the life of the person.

The most important areas that are worked on in this last phase are the self-knowledge of the person and concepts are consolidated relative to the risks of relapse and what are the healthy behaviors that should continue to be carried out daily.