20 Mar Alcohol Addiction and Help in Kelowna
Are you or a loved one in need of an alcohol intervention in Kelowna?
The effects of alcohol abuse are often overlooked in a society that is facing a large drug addiction problem, but the truth is, alcohol abuse is responsible for many more deaths than drug addiction.
In 2015-2016 there were nearly 15000 hospital admissions in British Columbia due to alcohol abuse, making B.C. the province with the highest rate of alcohol induced illness and injury in Canada. According to an article in the Vancouver Sun, hospitalizations entirely caused by alcohol exceeded those caused by heart attacks by 2000. And this does not include long-term illness such as brain damage, cancer, liver failure, and kidney failure.
Over four million Canadians risk acute illness from their alcohol consumption, and 3,000 children are born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder each year.
Alcohol Abuse in Kelowna
Alcohol addiction in Kelowna is a growing concern. As a burgeoning wine region, it is seen as more socially acceptable to drink wine on a regular basis, and with more craft breweries and wineries springing up, the social aspect of drinking is even more prevalent. We are faced with alcohol promotion on a daily basis; it is marketed as an integral component of the culinary industry, which reduces the serious impact it can have. When packaged as part of the food and drink industry, alcohol is rarely viewed as a mind-altering drug that is responsible for a multitude of health risks.
With so much accepted alcohol consumption, it can be difficult to tell when someone’s drinking habits shift from sociable to a full-blown addiction. Some common signs that drinking is becoming a problem include:
- Temporary blackouts or short-term memory loss
- Irritability and extreme mood swings
- Binge drinking
- Choosing to drink and ignoring responsibilities and obligations
- Drinking alone or in secrecy
- Feeling hung-over when not drinking
- Hiding bottles
- Drinking during the day
According to a report from Statistics Canada, the City of Kelowna is the second place in Canada for police-reported impaired driving incidents. Kelowna has more drunk driving cases than Vancouver, Toronto or Calgary; for such a small city that is shocking revelation.
There are many organizations working hard to address the chronic consumption of alcohol. The BC Centre on Substance Use is taking steps to restructure the current approach to alcohol within the healthcare system. The organization has submitted treatment guidelines to the provincial Mental Health and Addictions Ministry. The guidelines recommend that family doctors screen patients who are dependent on alcohol, and refer low risk patients to an outpatient setting where they are given the tools to help mitigate their alcohol use before it becomes chronic.
Treatment for Alcohol Addiction in Kelowna
There are many treatment centers and programs for alcohol addiction in Kelowna, but there are vast differences in cost, programs, facilities, and results.
There are many factors that should be considered when engaging in treatment for alcohol addiction. Your medical history, support system, and emotional and mental history all play a role in the success of your recovery.
To truly heal and mitigate the chance of reoccurring alcohol abuse, it is crucial to address any underlying trauma.
A good treatment center will take into account the needs of the individual, and they should have a team of medical specialists at the rehab facility. However, with so many treatment centers available, it can be difficult to choose the one that will work for you.
Approaching someone about their alcohol abuse is never easy, but if you are worried about a loved one’s drinking habits, the best step may be to contact an interventionist. A professional interventionist can help you develop strategies to ensure you approach your loved one about the issue in a productive way. They can help you organize an intervention, and they will take the time to learn about your family history to help you find a treatment center that works for your loved one’s individual needs.
When you are dealing with an alcoholic, it is difficult to get the information you need, many clinics don’t have the time or staff available to spend time talking to you, but an interventionist works with you to answer your questions and walk you through the process.
Andy Bhatti is an addiction interventionist in Kelowna who has the experience needed to walk you through the process.
Many people dealing with alcohol addiction in the family leave seeking help as a last resort, but early intervention can be the most important step you will take. It can stop your loved one from causing irreparable damage to themselves, or to others.
Andy Bhatti is a professional addiction interventionist in Kelowna who has the experience needed to walk you through the process. Call for more information today.