Many people assume that alcoholism can be cured simply because they misunderstand both the word "cured" and the disease of alcoholism. Alcoholism and addiction are clinical, neurological diseases that are progressive and fatal without treatment. However, despite the fact that there are numerous types of treatment available – some of them very effective – alcoholism cannot be cured. To be cured of something means to be completely rid of it, and unfortunately people who suffer from alcoholism are alcoholics for life. However, treatment is able to manage alcoholism and many people who suffer from this disease lead productive and normal lives. Others fall victim to claims that alcoholism can be cured and waste precious time and resources pursuing a myth. These false claims include the following:
Alcoholism can be Cured with Rehab
There is a general misconception among the public that alcohol rehab actually cures a person of the disease. However, this is simply not true. Alcoholism results from the development of neurological pathways in the brain that "service" the disease of addiction or alcoholism. These pathways are permanent and cause lifelong cravings for alcohol in association with trigger events or stresses. Alcohol rehab teaches people how to manage these cravings with skills that they can use for a lifetime of sobriety. Rehab centers that claim to "cure" alcoholism are probably doing their patients a great disservice.
Rehab helps alcoholics by providing a secure environment free form the stresses and environments that triggered drinking in the past. Various therapies are employed to help a person understand their alcoholism and how to manage it with the help of therapists and a support network that can be used to remain alcohol free one day at a time.
Alcoholism can be Cured with Drugs
Like rehab, alcoholism can be managed with drugs, but there are currently no drugs that actually cure the disease. Some drugs are used to help a person detox from alcohol, such as benzodiazepines, and other drugs cause a person to feel less interest in alcohol. These drugs work by reducing the amount of pleasure a person feels when consuming alcohol, thereby removing a great deal of the motivation to drink in the first place. However, these drugs are only designed to be taken temporarily to get a drinking problem under control. Long term treatment options must be explored and practiced in order to abstain from drinking for life.
Alcoholism can be Cured with Hypnosis
Alcoholism cannot be cured with hypnotism. While very good therapists can use hypnosis to reduce the frequency and severity of a person's urges to drink, the neurological processes in the brain that are responsible for alcoholism remain for life. Hypnosis can be used as an effective tool in the management of alcoholism, but it is not capable of curing this disease.
Because there is no cure for alcoholism, people that suffer from this disease without getting help could be placing themselves in a life-threatening situation. If someone you love has a drinking problem, they might not be able to get help on their own – and therefore they are relying on you to help them, whether they know it or not.
Take action and speak to someone at our Florida alcohol rehab now. We can help you no matter where you are.
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RJ Hudson is a highly trained and versatile professional writer and editor.