Alcoholism Treatment and Denial
Gay Alcoholism Treatment
Gay alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence is a treatable illness, but successful gay alcohol treatment requires the active participation of the employee, a professional alcohol counselor, the employee’s supervisor, and family members or friends. Alcoholism treatment may involve one to four weeks of intense alcohol rehab at an outpatient alcohol treatment program or inpatient alcohol rehab program following by six to twelve months of “aftercare” consisting of periodic individual, group, or family counseling. The recovery process typically requires the employee’s regular participation in a community-based self-help group such as Gay Alcoholics Anonymous.
One key to a successful gay alcohol treatment program is admission of the problem and motivation to beat it. Studies of U.S. military treatment programs show that completion of the full aftercare program is the strongest predictor of treatment success.
Relapse is a common occurrence after all addiction treatment or alcoholism treatment, but the risk of relapse diminishes with the passage of time and continued abstinence. The first relapse occurs most commonly during the first three months after completion of treatment. One study of gay alcohol treatment outcomes for military personnel found that if one gets through the first three months without relapse, the chances for long-term abstinence improve dramatically, and the chance of a relapse that affects work performance is small.
Remission of drinking problems without alcohol treatment is common as young drinkers mature and the lifestyle, stress, or other circumstances that prompted the drinking change. The likelihood of spontaneous remission without treatment is relatively high among young men in their 20s, but relatively low among men in their 40s or older.
Alcoholism and Denial
Most alcohol abusers and alcoholics deny they have a problem. As they develop dependence on alcohol, they also develop “blinders” –a defense system that allows them to ignore the problem. They want to blame their problems on something or someone else — bad luck, a misunderstanding spouse, a supervisor who doesn’t like them, etc.
Recognizing and accepting that an alcohol problem exists is the first, crucial step toward solving the problem. If you have an alcohol problem, it is important to keep the following in mind. If you are concerned about a family member, friend or co-worker who has a problem, share these thoughts with that person.
- Alcoholism is an illness, not a moral weakness. Blaming yourself, blaming others, or feeling ashamed about your drinking are all stumbling blocks to receiving help.
- You are not alone. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates 14 million Americans — one of every 13 adults — either abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. Each year about 600,000 patients enter treatment for alcoholism.
- Don’t push away the messengers. People who worry or complain about your drinking can be a key to your recovery. They care enough about you to be concerned. If you are an alcoholic, you’ll need their support.
- The earlier the alcohol treatment, the more successful it is likely to be. Don’t wait until the health effects are irreversible, you have lost your job, or your marriage has suffered to the point of breaking up.
- Heavy drinking has serious health consequences. It increases the risk of cancer and causes liver damage, immune system problems, brain damage and harm to the fetus during pregnancy. It also increases the risk of accidents and mental problems.
If you are looking for an alcohol rehab program or alcohol treatment program, go to www.lakeviewhealth.com or call the national alcoholism treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225
