For most, the consumption of alcohol barely warrants a second thought. It offers mild relaxation or a gentle distraction that plays a rather minor role in our everyday lives. But what about those for whom it is much more than that? What does an alcoholic or addict look like? Sure we’ve seen the stereotypes portrayed in films: the washed up street junkie, the dishevelled man falling off the barstool, but what about the hospital nurse who pilfers pain medication from her patients? Or the successful CEO who finds that his once occasional dabblings with cocaine have turned into regular occurrences? Think you don’t know anyone affected by alcohol or drug addiction? Think again.

Once considered a moral defect of character, over the years there have been several theories on the causes of addiction; but within recent decades science has more clearly defined that addiction is in fact a disease. And although there are several organs in the body that can be affected by excessive drug and alcohol use, the most critical organ is the brain. For it is here where addiction is manifested and also here where recovery ultimately begins.

Statistics show that roughly 10-13 percent of the general adult population is addicted to alcohol or drugs. What remains one of the most difficult aspects of treating this disease is that it is, by nature, one of the few conditions whereby one of the symptoms is often that the patient does not believe that he or she has it. It almost always becomes apparent to others, often the person’s partner, spouse, children, friends and even their employers, before the individual accepts that they are indeed addicted.

There are various tools designed to help assess whether a person has a problem with alcohol or drugs. The following is not intended to serve as a complete assessment or definitive diagnosis, but rather as a guideline. If you identify two or more positive responses you may want to seek further guidance from an addiction professional.

1 Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking/using? For example: shakes, sweating, nausea, seizures, vomiting, increased anxiety.

2 Have you experienced blackouts as a result of your use?

3 Do you use drugs/alcohol to regulate your mood? i.e. to make yourself feel happier, to numb your feelings

4 Have you experienced a change in your tolerance to alcohol or drugs? i.e. it takes more of the substance to achieve the desired effect or it takes less of the drug to achieve the desired effect?

5 Has anyone ever expressed concern to you about your drinking or drug use?

6 Have you ever tried to cut down on your drinking/drug use?

7 Have you experienced any legal problems as a result of your use or are you putting yourself at risk for legal problems?

8 Have you had any health issues as a result or related to your drinking or drug use?

In many instances the family members are the first ones to make contact with treatment centres, looking for the right program for their loved one.This can be a daunting task as it can be hard to differentiate between programs. It is recommended that individuals research their options. The following are suggested questions to ask before making a decision.

1 Does the organization have credentialed clinical therapists who are certified in addiction counselling?

2 How does the program individualise treatment for each client?

3 What is the daily program structure?
Programs should be well structured and include medical detoxification services, individual and group therapy, expressive therapies, gender groups, individual assignments, recreation, fitness instruction, nutritional assessment and continuing care planning.

4 Does the facility conduct follow up research on the outcomes of its clients?

5 What is the bed capacity of the program?
Keep in mind that programs should be large enough to provide group experiences, but not be so large as to let clients ‘slip through the cracks’.

Quality residential treatment is often the first step in achieving lifelong recovery from addiction. It begins with a single step, and in so doing, recovery is possible and is often lifesaving.

Contact
For more information visit www.crossroadsantigua.org or email info@crossroadsantigua.org for a free, no obligation and confidential assessment.