Alcohol rehabilitation is a treatment programme put in place in order to address alcohol abuse, addiction, and dependency. The process involves several steps taken to help addicts or rehabilitants recover from, manage, and control the use of alcohol. The programme is aimed at improving the lives of the alcoholics, and in the process, the lives of their families. In South Africa the concept of alcohol rehabilitation is fairly new.
South Africa is among the countries with the highest amount of substance abuse, including alcohol abuse. As a consequence, the country has a large amount of alcohol-related violence. As an effort to remedy the situation, the country has put into place alcohol rehabilitation centres around the country. The centres are easily accessible, but the services are costly.
Alcohol rehabilitation in South Africa is often not sort for the following reasons:
- the first step of solving any problem is realising, and admitting that there IS a problem; most alcoholics do not even realise that they have a problem,
- in the rare instances where alcoholics realise that they have a problem, they are reluctant to seek help because of how alcohol and drug rehabilitation is viewed in South Africa.
- In most cases, it is frowned upon, and there is a stigma attached, it is even more difficult for male alcoholics to resort to rehabilitation because in some cultures it is a sign of weakness and “unmanliness” to do so, and rehabilitation of any kind, be it drug or alcohol rehabilitation, is time-consuming and costly.
In cases where rehabilitants go through the process and successfully recover, they are still faced with challenges when they leave the rehabilitation centres: the temptation to relapse, peer pressure, withdrawal symptoms, and many other challenges.
In addition to the above, alcohol rehabilitation in South Africa is a topic talked about behind closed doors. Awareness programmes should be put in place, and it should be emphasised that seeking help is NOT a sign of weakness.
In spite of the efforts put in by the South African government and other NGOs, it is apparent that we still have a long way to go.
In view of the facts mentioned above, one can see that is challenging, but necessary now more than ever.
Alcohol is a social lubricant; a connoisseur’s dinner companion; a fun and tasty accompaniment in life. However alcohol also has a darker side, a darker power that results in alcohol abuse and dependence. Alcohol rehabilitation aids victim of alcohol abuse and dependence in all its many guises.
To first understand alcohol abuse one must understand the definition of an alcoholic. Alcohol is classified as a drug but it is widely accepted and almost natural part of human interaction. Alcoholism (or alcohol dependence) is medically considered a disease with addictive symptoms. Alcohol abuse is when drinking adversely effects an individual’s health, relationships and working life. Alcohol abuse often leads to alcohol dependence.
There are many Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers in South Africa that help individuals who suffer from alcoholism and alcohol abuse. The diagnosis of alcoholic problems is quite a long drawn out process that sometimes continues with or without the sufferers’ compliance. Many psychological theorists have stated that the final stage of alcohol abuse will result in a health deterioration and most likely premature death.
However there is treatment and processes that can save an individual with alcohol dependency.
Entering rehab where the alcohol abuser becomes a patient may or may not be something the patient chooses but it is designed to remove the alcohol from the patient’s system and develop coping and management techniques for the future. The treatment for alcohol rehab typically advocates an abstinence-based zero tolerance approach. But alcohol rehab first has to undertake the process of detoxification to remove effects the alcohol drug. This is merely a first step; the following treatment steps generally include some form of psychological therapy and medication.
Alcohol rehab centres in South Africa range from large government-funded institutions to outpatient hospital facilities to private rehab centres with specific advantages for specific individuals. These rehab centres offer a range of treatment but all with the same essential components of abstinence, cleansing and returning the individual to themselves. Treatment of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence is an urgent need that can be fulfilled in many of the excellent alcohol rehabilitation centres in South Africa.