When you watch a loved one struggle with alcohol addiction, it can feel like a no-win situation. You know you must respect their boundaries but also desperately want to help.
If you are in this situation, you may be considering suggesting AA meetings to your loved one. After all, AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) continues to help thousands of people overcome their addiction.
However, it is important to note that the AA way does not work for everyone. This is because AA meetings do not provide comprehensive support for the complexities of alcohol addiction.
If AA meetings do not work for your loved one, they have another option. Hills & Ranges Private (HARP) is at the forefront of holistic alcohol addiction treatment. HARP’s treatments and therapies go beyond the traditional and can provide your loved one with the care they need to sustain long-term sobriety.
What Is Alcohol Addiction?
When most people who do not have a drinking problem think about the concept of alcohol addiction, they picture someone who cannot say no to a drink. Alcohol addiction is far more complex than that.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is more than just excessive drinking. It is a chronic disease that affects the brain. When your loved one drinks too much regularly, it affects their brain’s reward system. When this happens, it becomes impossible for your loved one to stop drinking, even if they want to.
What’s worse is that they will keep drinking, even when it affects their lives negatively. They may lose their job, spouse, and money, but they will continue to drink.
When your loved one drinks too much, they may experience the following:
- Physical dependence. Whenever your loved one stops drinking, they experience tremors, anxiety, and other physical symptoms. This can make them reluctant to find help for their addiction.
- Mental health issues. Your loved one may suffer from a psychological condition as a direct result of their addiction. This may include depression, anxiety, and other conditions.
It is crucial to recognize the multifaceted nature of alcohol addiction so you can understand why your loved one may need a holistic treatment approach.
Why Is HARP Different?
HARP’s program, including the famed 5i curriculum, is bespoke and immersive. It has been created to address addiction on all levels, including physical, emotional, and social.
The HARP approach is evidence-based and meant to address the needs of each patient. This already sets the HARP program apart from other options, including AA meetings.
1. Personalized Treatment
Treatment at HARP starts with assessing a patient’s needs and preferences. Once the HARP team has an idea of a patient’s addiction, health, and mental health history, they can create a complete treatment plan. This plan deals with the root causes of addiction instead of just treating the symptoms.
The key features of the HARP program include a psychological evaluation. This evaluation is done to identify disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Other features include lifestyle assessments and goal setting. If your loved one enters a rehab program at HARP, the team will assess their stress (family and work). Doing this will help them work with your loved one to set positive goals for their life once they are sober.
2. Holistic Therapies
Unlike abstinence programs, like AA, HARP uses holistic therapies to heal
a patient’s body and mind. These therapies work together to help patients
regain balance in their lives and build resistance against addiction.
Some of HARP’s therapies include:
- Mindfulness and meditation. This teaches patients how to manage inevitable cravings while reducing their stress.
- Yoga and exercise. These options promote a patient’s physical health and release endorphins for emotional well-being.
- Nutritional support. HARP offers gourmet, nutritious meals to ensure a patient’s strength is rebuilt.
3. Trauma-Informed Care
Many people who suffer from alcohol addiction have past trauma that fuels their addiction. HARP uses trauma-informed care to create a safe and supportive healing environment.
The HARP team makes an effort to understand the impact of trauma on each patient’s behaviour and mental health. They also create treatment plans that will not re-traumatize patients. Instead, they work towards empowering each one to regain the control they lost because of their addiction.
Why Not AA?
AA provides a supportive community and a structured framework for healing. The problem is that the structure and group meetings are not for everyone. Not all patients appreciate having to discuss their addiction in front of others. Moreover, many patients need extra care for issues that AA meetings cannot address.
HARP offers professional one-on-one therapy and guidance. Your loved one will be treated by licensed therapists and qualified medical staff at all times.
If your loved one prefers to keep their addiction to themselves and receive treatment in a discreet location, HARP is the best option. The HARP facilities are located in serene, natural settings that allow patients to focus solely on their recovery.
Furthermore, you can be involved in your loved one’s recovery at HARP. The facility offers family counselling and can educate you on what your loved one is going through.
HARP lays a long-term foundation for sustainable recovery. This rehab centre addresses the underlying causes of addiction while providing patients with the physical and mental health care they need.
Encouraging Your Loved One to Seek Help
It is never easy to bring up the idea of rehab to someone who is struggling with addiction. Your loved one may deny that they have a problem or flat-out refuse help.
This is why you should not bombard them with information or confront them aggressively. The best way to go about suggesting help is to choose the right moment.
Find a calm and private setting to tell your loved one that you are worried about them and would like to help them. Express empathy, never judgment. This means not speaking about ‘you’ but, instead, about ‘I.’ For instance, say, I’m worried about your drinking and how it affects your health.’
If your loved one responds positively to your concerns, bring up the possibility of attending a treatment program at HARP. Assure your loved one that you will be with them every step of the way, during and after treatment.
Alcohol Addiction Is a Personal Struggle
For your loved one, the struggle with alcohol dependency is real, difficult, and personal. But, it is never insurmountable. If you want your loved one to heal and get back to their lives, HARP can help them.
Seek professional treatment today by contacting HARP and finding out more about the available programs.
Sources:
- https://recoveryjunkie.medium.com/why-alcoholics-anonymous-may-not-work-for-everyone-exploring-alternative-paths-to-recovery-f1b2bde291d1
- https://www.workithealth.com/blog/why-doesnt-aa-work-for-everyone/
- https://www.stopdrinkingexpert.com/why-aa-didnt-work-for-me https://www.newdawntreatmentcenters.com/why-aa-doesnt-work-for-everyone-why-you-should-get-personalized-help/
