People consider that alcohol addiction can never delve to the depth of needing a residential substance abuse treatment or rehabilitation program. Many people dealing with an alcohol addiction feel that they are now afflicted with a disease.

This is the reason only a handful of people suffering alcohol addiction will consider this addiction treatment option and usually only after a long hard battle with addiction, loss of family, friends, jobs and possessions. Alcohol Addiction doesn’t have to reach that point and help can be obtained much sooner if help for the addiction is sought at the first sign of non optimum behavior from the addict.

Someone who places more value in alcohol after problems brought on by alcohol abuse (regardless how minimal) than family, friends or job is suffering from alcohol addiction. Many associated with an alcohol addict believe fallacies such as “well he goes to work everyday” or things of similar nature and obviously do not understand the complexities of alcohol addiction.

Alcohol addiction is an issue looked on as multi-faceted and having many far reaching effects. It doesn’t limit itself to the alcohol addict and causes the entire family or group of friends to dramatize the effects of the alcohol addiction causing chaos and turmoil for anyone who has had contact regardless the depth of relationship to the alcoholic.

While it is correct alcohol addiction has far reaching effects, the theory alcohol addiction is a complex multi faceted issue, while true can lead an addict down misleading paths that do not end in sobriety.  Many suffering the affects of alcohol addiction feel that they suffer from depression and again, while true feel that the depression is the cause of the alcohol addiction. Alcohol addiction and abuse can cause depression which now leads you to the chicken or the egg theory and to the doorstep of those who can capitalize on this philosophy and your ignorance.

Simply put when someone suffering from alcohol addiction starts feeling better without alcohol than he does with alcohol he no longer requires the effects of the alcohol and can get better. While this may seem a simplistic approach, it holds true for thousands who have successfully overcome alcohol addiction and regained control of their lives.

Some addiction counselors would have you believe someone suffering from alcohol addiction will experience the DT’s of Delirium tremens that include shaking, sweats, restless leg syndrome and a host of other physical maladies. While it is true, someone suffering an alcohol addiction upon withdrawal cold turkey will suffer these symptoms. This does not mean that all those who quite possibly and probably are suffering an alcohol addiction have reached this level as yet. 

Finding the appropriate treatment for alcohol addiction, or any addiction really, getting to the root of the problem is important and is not realistically accomplished in a traditional 30 day residential substance abuse or rehabilitation program. Again with the chicken or the egg theory of depression or anxiety which again, can be caused by alcohol addiction, it would be unfair to automatically assume this. Based on the assumption (and myth) that an alcoholic would need a “medication’ or drug to treat the depression and drive the unwanted feelings deeper into the mud. These unwanted feelings are what need to be dealt with so the underlying mental emotional issue driving the addiction can be addressed, handled and dissipated forever.

Alcohol addiction works like this: when a person uses any substance particularly alcohol the alcohol travels to the brain and sends and impulse to release neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin among others causing a sense of well being and a host of other desirable feelings. The alcohol is then seen by the brain as superior and basically causes the brain to stop producing the needed neurotransmitters that would normally keep the person feeling up to par. When the alcohol starts losing its effect, the person then needs more, causing the person to drink in excess and subsequently intoxicated.

The alcohol has now solved the person’s problem, however minimal and has value. For instance let’s say a junior high boy is at the dance and cannot find the courage to ask the girl to dance. His buddy arrives with a bottle and after a couple of swigs, his inhibitions are lowered and he now feels the courage to ask her and she of course accepts. This feeling lock in the thought alcohol is needed and will be used again.

Unfortunately, those suffering from alcohol addiction, to whatever the degree, now will find other reasons for irresponsible behavior and continue to down the path of destruction as they do not understand the mechanics that drive addiction.

Alcohol abuse causes the brain to take 90 days or longer to function normally with the proper balance of neurotransmitters so with that in mind, any diagnosis given during that time would be based on the after effects of the alcohol abuse and would more than likely be incorrect. 

Getting to the bottom of an alcohol addiction works best with a multi- prong approach and takes time, usually 90 days or longer which will greatly increase an addicts chances of recovery.