addiction sponsor

How Can A Sponsor Help An Alcoholic?

Articles, Australia, Education, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

A sponsor can play a vital role in helping an alcoholic through the often-arduous task of remaining sober. Here are some of the advantages to be had through asking a sponsor to assist.

What is a sponsor?

Widely used, but not exclusive to those who join Alcoholics Anonymous, a sponsor is a man or woman who has achieved progress through the recovery process they have chosen.

It is the sponsors role to share experiences of their own alcoholism and how they have managed to reach their current level of sobriety. This information and advice sharing is carried out on a personal one-to-one basis. It is also usual for them to offer support via telephone or social media platforms outside of face-to-face meetings.

Is a sponsor mandatory?

No, it is not something that a person going through the recovery process needs to have, but the continual and individual support on offer can make a big difference in terms of helping an alcoholic stay on the path of sobriety.

This makes the consideration of asking for sponsorship something that alcoholics going through the recovery process should think carefully about.

While thinking about this a recovering alcoholic should bear in mind that a sponsor will generally be a man or woman who has succeeded in remaining sober for an extended length of time.

This experience can show how a recovery program has helped them. What works for them, what did not, and tips on how to continue and maintain sobriety.

What benefits are to be gained:

Here are 5 benefits that an alcoholic going through the early stages of recovery can expect from a sponsor.

  • They understand your current situation, they care passionately about your progression to sobriety and their aim is to help you resist the many temptations that alcohol brings.
  • They are there to help you when overwhelming thoughts of alcohol crowd in on you, or if you have succumbed to these urges and have had a relapse. It is extremely important to understand that while a relapse is a set-back, it is not a failure.
  • As well as talking about their personal experience with alcohol, they are there to listen to your experiences. They can offer articles, books and advice relating to alcohol abuse as well as recovery.
  • If the two of you are in a particular group recovery program the sponsor will encourage you to attend meetings with them and help you get there if necessary. They will also encourage you to join and participate in group activities and introduce you to other members they feel suitable to assist with your recovery.
  • They will not give a structured, defined opinion of the program you are in, but will offer different ideas and thoughts to help you find the best way in which to maintain sobriety.

Using a sponsor can offer a massive boost:

Sponsors are available because they have a passion to help. They have experience and have been in that dark place you may currently be in.

During the early stages of trying to maintain sobriety a sponsor can be the difference between success and failure in that important task of a person remaining sober for the foreseeable future.

inpatient rehab

What To Expect During An Inpatient Rehab Stay

Articles, Education, International, Treatment, United Kingdom, United States

Many men and women who are dependent upon drugs or alcohol to get them through their day will at some stage realise that professional help is needed.

While this help is available in a variety of guises, it is felt that an initial inpatient stay at a respected rehabilitation establishment is an extremely positive way to begin any recovery process.

We will explain what to expect and break this into two sections:

Facilities:

A respected inpatient rehab establishment will have been constructed and designed with healing in mind.

There will be comfortable, private accommodation with necessary facilities such as a bathroom, perhaps a small kitchenette, bed, seating, air-conditioning where required and often a private outside area with table and chair for relaxation and reflection.

The grounds will be part-landscaped gardens with other sections of natural habitat. These relaxing outdoor areas will offer additional reflection areas for those who wish to be alone as well as communal areas where socialising with other clients is encouraged.

A swimming pool is a common addition as is a fitness area with equipment. Then there may well be a yoga and/or meditation room along with massage facilities and therapy rooms.

The communal dining facilities will be set aside where 3-set meals each day will be served. Recovering from addiction requires routine. Set, communal meals are one of the small considerations that add to others in terms of the greater good of such a routine.

Treatment:

  • Therapy and counselling: It is recognized that everyone has their own individual needs. To this extent a personal counsellor will be allocated. It is expected that a healthy rapport be quickly established and in-depth discussions on a client’s history and the reasons they are unable to stop substance abuse understood.
  • Individually tailored: From these frank, open discussions with your counsellor a recovery plan will be agreed and put into place.
  • Group sessions: This is where clients staying together will discuss their current dependence issues and experiences.
  • Mindfulness sessions: These sessions are vital to help calm and relax a client
  • Fitness regimen: It is important to keep active. A daily fitness/exercise program will be put in place that is also tailored to the level of the client’s abilities.
  • “Homework”: Many establishments have working booklets with exercises that need completing either individually or as a group.
  • Progression update: During these sessions progress will be reviewed and new goals set. The intention is to leave behind those habits that are causing addiction.
  • Relapse prevention: These sessions are vital. They will help a client understand what personal triggers are responsible for potential relapse. How to identify them quickly and how to avoid them. Situations that cause a relapse come in many forms.
  • Weekly excursions: This is something all clients look forward to. A trip to the local sights, markets or an adventurous day out happens on a weekly basis. This is not only fun and interesting, it also builds a strong camaraderie with others fighting to leave their addiction behind.
  • Aftercare: This is another vital part of the healing process and aftercare options will be discussed and agreed before a client leaves the establishment.

A glimpse from the outside of inpatient treatment:

The above is just a snapshot of what is offered. Hopefully it is enough for those currently suffering from substance dependence to delve deeper in search of recovery.

alcohol recovery

Maintaining Progress During Recovery

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Remaining sober while going through rehab is the beginning of a healing process that all addicts must face.

Once this initial treatment has been successfully completed a person should be ready for onward progress.

Maintaining this progress will require determination, desire and a positive approach to daily challenges, but it is most certainly achievable.

When times are tough a few self-reminders need to be recalled. Here are some important pointers.

Recovery is not an overnight event:

Let’s face it, your substance of choice took a good while to get the better of you. In all likelihood, it will have been the unwanted duo of increasing use and self-denial that finally led to rehab.

Similarly, recovery will not happen overnight. The need for patience, perseverance and that ever-strengthening desire to regain control of your life will take time.

While an addict will understand this, many friends and family will not. A fair percentage will think that because you have successfully completed initial rehab that all is well; if only!

Marking time:

There will be frustrating periods to face during recovery. Goals and targets are taking longer to achieve than expected and you appear to be marking time in terms of positive progress.

Don’t let these dips during recovery get you down. They will test your resolve and try your patience, but by resisting negative thoughts and pressing on in a positive manner you will become a stronger person.

Positivity is key to continuing the momentum of your personal recovery journey.

Beware of recovery burnout:

At times, challenges to maintaining sobriety will push you to the limit. This is natural because of the immeasurable effects addiction brings, but don’t let recovery burnout get the better of you.

It is imperative that any negative feelings and thoughts are expressed. Speak with your counsellor, a sponsor if you have one, and anyone who is close enough to open your heart too. These frank and open discussions will help tremendously and help you see things from a different perspective.

Focus is important if a recovering addict is to avoid recovery burnout. Here are ways in which that focus can be maintained:

Prioritise your goals:

It is natural to want everything to fall in place quickly, but it is important not to rush things. Address issues in order of priority, overcome one and move on to the next. If this takes longer than expected do not be disheartened.

Listen to your counsellor:

The agreed recovery plan has been specifically tailored for your needs. Many of the basic building blocks of this plan are being utilized because they have proved successful over time.

Never be afraid to question the steps that are being taken, but don’t place extra pressure on yourself by ignoring them and trying to establish your own rehab program.

Don’t underestimate prior progress:

As you progress through healing some stages will appear to be far more challenging than others. Rather than being disheartened spend time thinking about previous successful stages and how you achieved them.

This thought-process will bring positivity and allow you to face and overcome the next healing hurdle.

Recovery takes as long as it takes!

Bear this fact in mind, but don’t become complacent. Keep active, change routines, look at new activities and above all remain positive.

Whenever self-encouragement is needed just consider the progress made to date. Such progress is something you should rightly be proud of.

functioning alcoholics

Functioning Alcoholics – It’s NO Way To Function

Articles, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Those men and women who believe they are functioning alcoholics really need to take a step back and analyse exactly what physical and mental harm their excessive drinking is causing.

3 stages of ‘functioning’ alcoholism:

Here are 3 progressive stages leading to deeper dependence. It goes without saying that the earlier a person acknowledges alcohol currently has the better of them, the easier it is to make necessary changes.

  • Early stage alcoholism: This is when someone is drinking too much, but they have not suffered too many consequences. Addressing the amount of alcohol being consumed at this stage is when it is easiest to make necessary changes.
  • Middle stage alcoholism: Many class this as ‘the classic functioning alcoholic’ stage. The person is still holding down a job and their close relationships are still in place. The problem is that their life is starting to suffer. If action is taken now to curb drinking then there is every chance of getting life back on track. It must be reiterated that while this is seen as the classic case of a functioning alcoholic there is still hope of bringing them back from the brink of:
  • Late stage alcoholism: The job has gone, relationships are in tatters and the need for alcohol to get a person through the day is ever-present. It urges them to drink day-in and day-out. They cannot stop after the first drink and will continue until falling into bed for a troubled nights rest. It must be stated that this stage is not as common as many believe. They think this is the stereotypical alcoholic when indeed middle-stage alcoholism is far more prevalent.

Don’t fall foul of progressive alcoholism:

As can be seen through the above stages, alcoholism is progressive. Consequences gradually increase in line with the amount and regularity of alcohol consumed.

No one should tell a person who is at this heavy drinking stage that it is easy to quit, it is not, but if a person has already started to see the negative side of excessive alcohol intake then quit they must.

Denial is disaster:

As with all addictions a functioning alcoholic will be in denial:

  • Self-denial: They will be aware that they are drinking to excess but convince themselves that it is not as serious as it really is. They assume it is having little noticeable effect on their lives and relationships. Some high-functioning alcoholics with a responsible or senior position at work also take the view that they deserve a drink for the amount of hard work and success their efforts achieve. If this denial is maintained much needed professional assistance will not be sought. It can take traumatic incidents such as being apprehended for drink driving or going through a divorce to make them understand just how serious their situation now is.

Professional rehab can help:

Modern life is full of stress and challenges. It is easy to reach for the bottle as a form of comfort blanket, but the reality is that reaching for it too often will give little comfort.

Whatever stage you are at in terms of excessive drinking please seek professional rehab assistance as soon as possible.

overseas rehab

Don’t Overlook Overseas Rehab

Articles, Australia, International, Treatment, United Kingdom, United States

Huge numbers of men and women currently dependent on prescription or illegal drugs, and those with alcoholic problems are desperate for solutions to kick their habit.

Professional rehab services:

Professional rehabilitation services are quite rightly seen as a major step in the right direction. Top of the list in this category is an initial stay as an inpatient at a respected rehabilitation establishment.

Unfortunately, acquiring such a stay in your own country presents hurdles that prevent many from taking advantage of this highly effective first healing step.

In-country hurdles preventing this treatment:

Two major hurdles stand out in terms of securing a stay as an inpatient in the western world. Individually they are sufficient to prevent a person from getting much needed addiction treatment.

Waiting lists:

It takes courage and determination for someone whose life is dominated by substance abuse to stand up, end denial and seek professional help.

Having taken such a brave step, near-immediate attention is required. For an addict to be told by an inpatient rehab establishment that “yes, they do treat the substance in question”, but “no, admission cannot be provided now. However, there is a waiting list which we can place you on” is akin to a kick in the teeth for an addict.

It sends out a message that is literally saying “Sorry, you will have to wait your turn, please mark time and we will be in touch with you in xx months”.

This disappointment will generally mean one thing to an addict. They will continue abusing their substance of choice and slide deeper into dependence.

Cost:

In the vast majority of cases the cost of an inpatient stay at a residential establishment in your own country is prohibitive for many. It must be understood that dependent on the depth of treatment required stays generally range from 28 to 90 days.

If there is no personal health insurance policy with a clause covering such treatment then a person with an addiction will often struggle to meet such expenses.

Overseas rehabilitation establishments:

The 2 hurdles stated above are far easier to overcome if an addict looks at overseas rehabilitation establishments.

South-east Asia is a point in case with Thailand being a shining example. Here are just some of the reason why:

  • Location: Whether a remote mountain setting or idyllic beach location is your preference both are available with differing locations in between.
  • Accommodation: Extremely comfortable accommodation with luxurious facilities are available.
  • Fully qualified staff: The staff at such establishments are fully qualified with internationally approved and recognized certification.
  • Treatment: Treatment methods all comply to international standards. This means the treatment you will receive is certainly on par with that of your home country.
  • Waiting lists: In general, there will be no waiting lists. The pressures of attendance are far less than in your own country.
  • Costs: This has surely got to be the icing on the cake. Not only are major health insurance policies accepted, the actual cost of such a stay can be up to 2/3rds lower than the same stay in your own country.

A consideration not to be ignored:

There are a whole host of other reasons as to why overseas rehab is a most valid option for treatment. If the details above have whetted your appetite, further investigation will be most worthwhile.