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What to Expect After Alcohol Detox

Alcohol detoxification can be an intense process lasting several weeks. Afterward there are many new issues to face. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare in advance for the recovery process.

  1. Learning New Coping Mechanisms

    • In many cases, alcohol is used as a coping and support mechanism. Individuals in recovery must learn new ways to deal with the difficulties of life, including making hard decisions to avoid the people, places, and things that lead to relapsing. Learning new mechanisms for coping with stress is essential to having a successful recovery.

    Making Amends

    • Making amends is the ninth and one of the most important steps of the 12-step recovery program. This is part of the process which helps to begin healing relationships and dealing with the guilt that often surfaces after the cloud of addiction is gone.

    The Need for Support

    • Finding a support group fills a great void for many alcoholics. It helps to provide a trusted network of associates and friends who are in all phases of the recovery process. It can also help individuals to remember what it was like to be addicted and to begin the detox and recovery process over again, helping to steer them away from relapsing.

    Healthier Lifestyles

    • Benefits of not having alcohol addiction include improved relationships with loved ones, better work performance, deeper connection to inner emotions, and peace of mind. Many alcoholics who come out of addiction maintain that even the worst days sober are better than the best days while in the throes of addiction.

    Potential for Relapsing

    • Nearly 10 million Americans suffer from alcohol dependency. Over a four-year period following treatment, about 90% of those who seek treatment are likely to experience at least one relapse.

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