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Alcoholism is a Life-Threatening Condition Alcoholism is one of the most dangerous dependency conditions that can develop. If you or someone you know might be an alcoholic it is imperative to seek help by calling 877 415 4673. Alcoholism has grave medical and circumstantial elements attributing to the danger of the condition. It is wise to seek medical services if alcoholism is present and detoxification or withdrawal is attempted or occurring. It is also important to seek professional support for treatment of the condition as the circumstances surrounding alcohol consumption can create significant motor and judgment-related impairments that can lead to physical accidents and death. Alcoholism is Treatable Regardless of whether an individual has been drinking alcoholically for 30 days or 30 years; alcoholism is treatable. There are many different stages in providing effective treatment for alcoholism but to fully understand these it is first important to understand a little bit more about alcoholism as a condition. The Economic Impact of Alcoholism in the United States Alcoholism is an issue that has a measurable social and economic impact in the United States. In fact in 1995 alcohol abuse related elements was estimated to have cost the nation $166.5 billion. This was a 12.5% increase from a previous study conducted in 1992. (NIDA research monograph 1992 – The Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the United States.) If one takes into consideration inflation and growth in the U.S. population over the last decade the current projections of the economic impact alcohol abuse and alcoholism is literally astronomical. The Impact of Alcoholism in the Workplace Alcoholism affects all aspects of everyday life – and work productivity is one area where grave consequences may develop. Behaviors commonly reported by employers observing an alcoholic in the workplace are: Inappropriate expressions of anger or resentment towards others; Inappropriate words of actions directed towards others; Sexual comments/harassment; Seductive, aggressive or assaultive behaviors; Racial, ethnic, gender or socioeconomic bias; Being avoidant or unreliable; Recurrent conflicts with others; Difficulty with authority; Being uncooperative, defiant, rigid when dealing with problems or responding to a request for help; and Belittling remarks near clients or other staff.
These characteristics tend to lead alcoholics into complicated situations in the workplace. Sometimes, employers are understanding of the condition and are educated about alcoholisms treatability. Other times, employers are fed up with the ensuing alcohol-related workplace behaviors and simply want the alcoholic to find other employment. Regardless of where the employer, partners, board members, etc. are in terms of supporting the alcoholic in getting treatment for alcoholism – there are some relevant state and federal employment law facts pertaining to the right to receive treatment for the condition of alcoholism…without the alcoholic losing there job. Federal Employment Law Pertaining to the Treatment of Alcoholism Here is how the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) pertain to the treatment of alcoholism: Note: The ADA and FMLA acts are federal statutes. There are relevant state laws that pertain to the statutes themselves on a state level. Employer Question: Is an employee admitted to a treatment facility for alcohol addiction, covered under the ADA and FMLA? Answer: Yes. Assuming they otherwise meet eligibility criteria for these statutes, employees who have been or are undergoing alcohol addiction treatment are covered by the ADA and the FMLA. However, the ADA specifically excludes current drug users. 42 U.S.C. sec 12114(a); 29 C.F.R. sec 1630.3(a). The statute is specific to the treatment for alcoholism and alcohol abuse. What does this mean? This means that an employee cannot be terminated for taking a leave of absence to seek treatment for alcoholism. This is a relevant fact for both alcoholics needing treatment and employers who are considering termination of an employee for problems in the workplace that are alcohol-related. Signs of Alcoholism in the Home Alcoholism is treatable. It is also one of the conditions where behavior in the home often demands treatment – because of the difficulty and danger of living with or around a practicing alcoholic. Some of the issues often reported by family members are: Irresponsible behaviors; Violence; Periods of unemployment; Sexual inappropriateness; Lack of attention towards family members; Difficulty in sleeping without alcohol; Health problems; Drinking all hours of the day; A noticeable increased tolerance to alcohol; Blackouts and memory loss; Drinking as a response to stress; Breaking promises; Hallucinations; and Continuing to drink after problems have occurred because of it.
Are There Treatments for Alcoholism? Yes, alcoholism is treatable. There are many different treatments available to alcoholics. Probably the most important thing when researching treatment for alcohol addiction is to be sure the program you consider attending has onsite medical detoxification services. Why is Medical Detoxification so Important in Treating Alcoholism? This is crucial because the medical complications that can occur from non-medically assisted alcohol detoxification can include seizures. With medically-assisted detoxification services there is only a very slim chance that any seizures would occur. What is the Most Effective Method for Treating Alcoholism? The most effective treatments for alcohol addiction will also address the psychological issues that more than likely contributed to the onset of the condition. This is because alcoholism is almost always a malady that has root causes and conditions that have furthered the development of the disease. Without an understanding of these underlying issues the alcoholic will more-than-likely return to coping mechanisms that are unhealthy, which in turn will probably lead them back to drinking alcoholically. Is the 12-Step Program Effective in Treating Alcoholism? Absolutely! The 12-step program is a crucial component for the treatment of alcoholism. Obviously, these formats do not have all the services necessary to medically treat and psychologically support the co-occurring issues that are prevalent in those that suffer from the condition, but overall the level of support and understanding found in the fellowship of the 12-step program is very helpful to the ongoing treatment of the disease. How do I Begin to Recover from Alcoholism? The first thing is to realize is that you have already begun the journey towards recovery. In the United States 1 out of 10 people experiences problems with alcohol…and most will never even seek any type of help for their condition! So you are already well ahead of the curve… It is probably best to seek guidance from a treatment professional which you can do for free by calling 877 415 4673. Talking with a person who professionally and personally understands your situation is the next step to take towards your own recovery.
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