Addiction
Alcohol Addiction Counselling
Addiction Involving Alcohol
Addiction is a chronic brain disease and is influenced by both genetics and environment similar to other chronic diseases such as diabetes. Addiction can manifest in many ways including use of alcohol and the focus at HUM is to address Addiction is Addiction. This means that whether a person uses alcohol, drugs, or engages in compulsive behaviors, such as gambling, shopping etc., these are not mutually exclusive and represent different manifestations of the same disease.
Addiction involving alcohol is a chronic medical condition that requires assessment and treatment, as manifestations of it vary in different individuals. With Addiction involving alcohol, the ability to make healthy choices regarding alcohol is impaired. Alcohol begins to start controlling one’s life, making life more unmanageable. With Addiction, the problematic alcohol use is a symptom of what is happening in the brain and the person is seeking escape, relief or reward. Unfortunately there is no off switch and there is an ever increasing desire for more. It is critical to understand what is happening in the brain as our brain is involved in everything we do, including our thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behaviors as well as how we view ourselves and we get along with others.
You may have Addiction involving alcohol if you:
- Have an overpowering feeling to keep using alcohol despite negative consequences
- Use alcohol to escape, numb or cope with stress and other uncomfortable feeling
- Use alcohol as a reward and have difficulty stopping at one or two drinks
- Use alcohol more often or in larger amounts than intended
- Use alcohol as an eye-opener to get going in the morning
- Feel you need to control or cut down your alcohol use
- Feel annoyed by others criticizing your alcohol use
- Feel guilty about your alcohol use
- You hide or lie about your alcohol use
How we treat this issue:
At HUM, we provide outpatient assessment and treatment for Alcohol addiction. Our treatment is tailored to your needs and based on the knowledge that Addiction is a primary, chronic brain disease and requires holistic recovery for health. Once a person is a patient at HUM, there is no end point to the services and individuals can access services indefinitely based on their needs. Continuing care/treatment includes a range of services to optimize health and wellbeing of individuals who have Addiction involving alcohol. Following the assessment, treatment options will vary but can include individual psychotherapy, group therapy, intensive outpatient program, alcohol counselling, medical detoxification/withdrawal management, and medication management. Social and peer support is important and participation in 12-step groups such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is encouraged. In addition, other recovery actions such as meditation and journaling are recommended as part of a holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework of recovery.
