Primary Care (Alcohol Rehab-Phase I)

Primary Care (Alcohol Rehab-Phase 1) begins directly after alcohol detox. The reason that Primary Care is critical at this juncture is simply that a person with alcoholism can rarely if ever detox from alcohol and never drink again. They must gain insight as to why they drink; why they feel they need to drink? The alcoholic’s problem is not just a drinking problem rather it is a thinking problem.

If I am an alcoholic who continually has problems with personal relationships and I never gain insight as to why I have this problem then I will very likely repeat the same counterproductive behaviors. I will feel frustrated with my friends and employer and eventually self medicate with my drug of choice. Patterns of behavior brought about by distorted thinking produce feelings of frustration and helplessness. Feeling helpless is considered by many experts to be the number one feeling contributing to relapse.

Each individual has a unique set of core issues that disrupt their perception of reality and interfere with their ability to connect on a deeper level with their fellow man. Are their behaviors based in fear or anger or shame? Does the alcoholic have problems in realizing the truth or maybe in telling the truth? Does unethical behavior play a role? Have they learned self-defeating beliefs during childhood? These questions have to be asked in order for an alcoholic to overcome self-destructive behaviors. When an alcoholic or drug addict practices behaviors that they know are counter-productive or are contrary to what they believe is right, they are practicing egodystonic behaviors. The result of egodystonic behavior is a state of emotional distress or a feeling of helplessness that will eventually eat away at them until they drink again. A very common and pervasive core issue for alcoholics is honesty, especially self-honesty.

This concept is usually one part of recovery that alcoholics are ready to share with peers and counselors. The question is; what do you do with this information? The most common and most dangerous secondary addictive behavior that is seen at alcohol rehab is cigarette smoking. Since the annual mortality from cigarette smoking is more than quadruple that of alcoholism it is far and above the greatest health threat to an alcoholic smoker. Secondary addictive behavior in this case is a bit of a misnomer but for practical treatment purposes it must remain in that class. Several other common secondary addictive behaviors are gambling, sex, exercising, working, codependency and shopping. How does this information help? Since addictive behaviors are founded on thoughts and emotions, if a person recognizes behaviors that are considered compulsive than relapse potential has increased. An alcoholic should begin making lifestyle adjustments the moment secondary addictive behaviors become known.

Does an alcoholic jump into relationships impulsively? Are relationships typically tumultuous in nature? Does codependency play a role in relationships? Is employment a six month and out pattern? Is stealing a part of unemployment? Twelve-step inventory exercises reveal patterns of behavior and simultaneously give the alcoholic an opportunity for self-forgiveness. How can a person discern their own self-destructive patterns if the diseased brain has developed defense mechanisms designed specifically to falsify reality? Distorted reality preserves emotional uneasiness which results in a pattern of self-medication and self-destruction. The alcoholic needs help from professionals and peers. The purpose of recognizing self-destructive patterns is to assist the person with changing their behavior. Appreciable changes, that assist the alcoholic with maintaining long-term sobriety.